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LM technical support May 9, 2019 16:00

Hi all

Following early feedback, Adoption UK and Link Maker discussed today the issue of users being verified by their agencies. The short answer is that we have agreed to make a change to allow non-verified users to use chat.

‘Chat’ is similar to the old ‘direct message’, but can be used for two-way, instant messaging. It has been a part of Link Maker’s platform for 5 years, for verified adopters to share support. Over 4,000 adopters were already using this, and we had wanted to keep the same levels of security with the new Adoption UK community. Verification is a routine process which doesn’t involve adopters approaching an agency – it is an admin process between Link Maker and any agency or local authority that has a record of someone having adopted. The process, and the green shield icon against usernames, is designed to give reassurance about who you are talking to that isn’t available on social media, for example.

With thanks for your feedback however, we recognise that there are users who genuinely would like to offer or receive support via chat, but who are not able to be verified. We will therefore change the system so that these non-verified users can engage in chats with other users. For safety and reassurance, non-verified users will not be able to search for verified users, or see their profiles – they will only be able to make contact via names on the forum, as was the case before. We will also flag when you are involved in a chat with a non-verified user, just to be clear that they have not been verified with an agency. The Q&A, which is an established knowledge base shared by adopters and practitioners on Link Maker, will remain available only to verified users.

We will make this change as soon as possible, and will let you know when we have a timescale. We know this is just one of the issues that have been raised, and are looking at others. A ‘recent posts’ button will appear soon, and Adoption UK will also be updating on other things. In the meantime, thanks again for your feedback, and thanks for bearing with us.

Andy

Edited 17/02/2021

Donatella May 9, 2019 16:08

Thank you for listening!

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CatLady1 May 9, 2019 16:36

Thank you for this; it is very much appreciated.

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Leo May 10, 2019 01:21

Thank you. it is a happy change for adopters to be listened to!

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May 18, 2019 14:27

Hi. Just wondering whether there is any news about when non-verified users will be able to use the chat feature? Thanks.

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Daffodil May 18, 2019 15:16

Hi - I’ve made a note to check on Monday and will update you.

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May 18, 2019 17:44

Thank you! Have a good weekend.

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LM technical support May 20, 2019 10:58

Hi all - an update on the timing of this change. We've had 2 big developments back to back (the Adoption Register Wales and Adoption UK) and are now working through some scheduled background technical updates - mostly to improve performance, as some areas have become slower than we would like. As soon as this is done we will get started on the verification change, which we expect to be 'live' around the middle of June. Thanks for bearing with us.

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June 2, 2019 16:26

Hi. Any update on when this change will be implemented? There is someone that I particularly want to send a private message to but I find that I can't because she is a grandparent and not a verifiable adopter. Please let me know when I might be able contact her. Alternatively, is there a way that I can send AUK a message and they can pass it on to her (at my risk, obviously)?

Please let me know. Thanks!

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Bop June 2, 2019 18:40

One option is to set up a free email account in your username and post the address on here so you can chat with other users if you want to, but keep yourself safe until you are ready to share further details (via the email).

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June 2, 2019 19:02

Thank you Bop. I will investigate that.

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CatLady1 June 2, 2019 20:05

Hello Chick's Mum, Safia, Bop and all. I have created a new email for initial contact. My email address is [email protected] and I am happy for anyone on these boards to email me at this address.

Thank you so much for your efforts to reach me! xx

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Safia June 2, 2019 20:08

Hi CatLady - thanks for letting us know and we’ll be in touch

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June 2, 2019 21:28

CatLady, over to you. I have emailed the address above and let's see what happens ...

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LM technical support June 4, 2019 15:02

Hi all,

In line with our previous update, we wish to reassure you that we are working towards the verification change which should be released mid-late June. We appreciate that this feature is highly sought after and as such it has been given high priority. Thank you for your continued patience.

Kind regards,
The Link Maker team

Edited 17/02/2021

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