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Does it mean people who you will need to help you look after your child, or does it mean testamentary guardians? I remember very long drawn out conversations during home study about who my child would go to in the event of my death... But I was also asked to get CRB checks for anyone who would potentially have my daughter on their own in the early days, so it could be either of those.Sorry I just realized I haven't helped at all!

Just write down the local authority, because for a lot of children that will be the alternative in the case the adopters are no longer around.The reason is because a lot of children have severe needs, this only works if you really want to take it on.Beside the question is stupid because as soon as children are placed your social network will change. Aunti Betty and uncle Tim who were very suitable before adoption are no longer as aunti Betty can not give bounderies and uncle Tim keeps saying 'they are adopted', and a story about genes and blood etc.And the friend who always was on the side line has become very close and is very understanding when you talk about the child.Nobody can promise to take on the care of an unknown child for the future, that is rubbish. You have to look when it happens than organise a meeting with all family and friends and see who can do what. Even staying in contact with the child might be very valuable.Maybe than someone steps forward, but still I pressume if nobody is able the child will need to go into foster care.Adoption is the cheap option for the goverment, ofcourse they want anyone from your family to take over, but the reality is not everyone can. And preferable without support or financial aid.

We said that we needed to see how the individuals in our support network developed relationships with our (to be) children). This was deemed appropriate.Have to say, in our case, i agree with Pluto. None of our sibs would assume guardianship, - my mum and dad would do it, but it isn't a situation that bears thinking about.

oh! wow, good job I asked as I thought it would be people who would help us care for the AC, not in the event of our death!! I might use your answer littlemisscheerful.. they can always come back to us later on as we're still very early stages! thanks for the replies

I don't remember being asked this, but as others have said your support network post adoption can change beyond recognition.Actually if I had to nominate someone to look after them in the event of our deaths, it would be someone we didn't even meet until after the adoption.I've not fallen out with siblings but none would step up to the plate - all busy with own children and fairly stretched. Parents might take on some responsibiility for decisions if that was possible but are really too old for proper care.

I don't think naming the local authority will endear you to SWs, It might be helpful to think about it in terms of who is best placed to make decisions for your future child and who you trust to take care of financial matters.If worst comes to worst, my uncle will be Simba's gaurdian, he would not necessarily take care of Simba personally but would ensure that decisions are taken in his best interest. I trust him to take care of the sale of the house, insurances etc to ensure that Simba is taken care of financiallyThere is also nothing to stop you naming someone now, if that changes in the future, wills and gaurdianship arrangements can also be changed

We have been fortunate to have close friends, another couple who walked the adoption road about the same time as us, and whom we shared the various trials with. Their kids are about the age of our younger child. We and they have made a legal agreement to look after the others children if we or they both die. But we could never have committed to this pre adoption, when we had no idea how things would go and what ours and their children would be like. I think we were asked in the study about this and said probably my sister would look after any children we had, but there is nothing legal in it anyway at this stage,stuff of this sort cannot be arranged till you are the legal parent(s). I think the idea is to show you have considered the issue and reassure sw that you will be doing your best to make provision for the child/children. I remember as a child, my parents had an arrangement that if anything happened to them, we would go to my aunt and uncle.Of course if your form is just about nominating extra carers for times when you need a little break, or need to go to work, that's different. I am afraid you will need to get sw to clarify what they are looking for.

hi, sorry, I've just read over the application again and it is asking for nominated carers "who are willing to give you practical support with adoption" who did you nominate? is it just friends and neighbours? thanks so much

We put down a close friend who lives locally and my husbands mum. We were told it could be family or friends, but as its somebody you will call on for practical help its best that they dont live too far away. They were both interviewed in much the same way as our references.

I had two who were both CRB checked and signed confidentiality agreements so that I could tell them about Starlet before MP. One is my best friend who lives 5 mins away and will be helping me with before/ after school care when I go back to work. The other is my mum. She lives two hours away but works very flexible hours, so if I needed her she could pretty much drop everything and come running.