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I haven't been through it, but didn't want to read & run!I expect they want to get a feel for whether you can provide care and warmth while keeping boundaries - if you have a good relationship with these children without them running riot basically I would guess for several hours because a) coping with small children for hours on end is different from a fun half hourandb) because your (and their) nerves/feelings of unreality/being watched will wear off and you can feel more naturalI hope it goes well - try to relax and be yourself!

I was observed by one of my SWs for about an hour. Just be careful about how you introduce her and what part she plays.My SW came to the garden club I was running at the time. I told the kids that she was my friend and wanted to learn how to grow cress and got them to show her what to doMaybe you could all play a game together. hopefully she wont be hovering in the background making notes

Hi,Yes our first SW during home study watched us run a Beaver session!I was nervous too, but tbh the group were very active, very loud and we had our hands full. We even had an accident which I had to deal with. We never got any feedback! But we have adopted a little boy so I guess it was ok! Try not to worry. Go somewhere you normally take them keep it simple. Have fun.Good luck x

You guys are lovely!I really appreciate your responses, which have gone some way in shedding my fears. It just seems a bit unusual to me, as I'm normally a full time teacher - and so am used to 30 of the devils pestering me!Hopefully my SW will get involved, but it just seems like another hoop to jump through...

My SW mentioned she might want to observe me with kids at some point to help her flesh out the PAR. What happened in the end was that one of my referees was a couple with two children living far enough away that they had to travel to me to meet my SW. So of course I needed to mind the kids while thile they and my SW went off to the pub to do the reference stuff So my SW got to see the affection between me and the kids when they arrived and how they ran to me and let me introduce them to her, how happy they were to be left with me when mum and dad went off with a stranger for an hour, how we were playing calmly together when they returned, how the kids cooperated and passed around the cakes we'd made in that hour They're the kind of things that went into the PAR for me. Things that I just automatically do without thinking, she picked up on and wrote up in a very positive way.So don't worry too much about it. A good SW is looking for as much evidence as possible to prove you've got what it takes and it can be a wonderful opportunity to show it to them!

Where can I buy these pears of wisdom?? they sound delicious

I guess that my underlying worry is because of my experience with the whole process so far. It might just be me, but I'm finding that the process is something that is done 'to' me, rather than 'with' me... the sessions just seem to involve me answering questions (and my answers interpreted is a particular way to 'maximise my chances') and then, to end, I am set some overly simple homework for the next meeting. I know that my SW wants me to have the best chance possible, but I don't think I'm being very fussy (being open to up to 2 children, up to mid primary school age, either sex...)Sorry for the rant, just trying to make sense of things... but I really do appreciate people's advice. This is a very special place, and you guys are fantastically kind to give so much willingly.Just wish I could buy some pears of wisdom now to brighten the mood!

Just a thought - as you're a teacher and have lots of experience of relating to children - perhaps they're wanting to see you in an informal role with children to check you can switch out of 'teacher' mode and do the more parenting stuff? The approval process is very hard isn't it and certainly made me a bit paranoid at times but you have to remember they're really just looking for more positives so they can get you approved.

being done to rather than with was largely my experience, so I know where you are coming from. and sometimes when you are on your own its extra hard to see wood for the trees. I think you just have to give yourself up to the process. You'll get there

Gosh, quite a few people seem to have been observed with children by their SW, I'm so glad we didn't have that!

I am a teacher too and I can echo what seahorse said - my SW told me it is standard practice with teachers just to check you basically won't try to be a teacher at home too lol.My SW and to the park and sat on a bench while I played with my cousin's 3 yo so that she was just another random "mum" on a bench!