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Hi all, I know this question has been asked before but just looking for some advice..I''m at the point of picking an agency and really unsure... I wish I was having a ''gut'' reaction but I''m not! I''m not sure if its ok to name specific agencies but I see some posts have so... My initial thought was a Voluntary Agency and I''ve met with Scottish Adoption. This was in their offices as opposed to my home and the lady was lovely. Said she was recommending me to progress but her line manager would need to approve. If so next step would be prep group with next spaces march 2014.... Which is much longer than I anticipated but from then every stage follows after the other straight through. They were lovely but I''m aware this is not the SW I will be allocated so that doesn''t mean the SW I get will be so lovely! Spoke to Barnardos - really clicked with the lady and she was very impressed with my knowledge (I''m involved in the Children''s panel system here) and was very receptive to my view I would be looking to adopt a mixed background child based on my extended mixed family (turkish/Scottish and Muslim/Christian) and also other factors. However after hour on phone next step is the Edinburgh worker calling me to arrange a home visit. That was a week ago but not heard any further. I know a week is nothing though. Finally I contacted Edinburgh LA. Information pack sent which was already on their Internet site but in fairness took only a day to return my call and they are interested. Prep group Jan so not much diff with Scottish adoption. However I approached them with my husband about fostering all be it 6 years ago and didn''t have the greatest time trying to deal with our SW and eventually a home visit (after a couple of cancellations from them) didn''t go ahead. They have been lovely, I''m now single (divorced 4 years!) and they seem good. However I work for the LA and see the children who are looked after at panel and I know the pressure SW are under. I''m not sure they would have the time to deal with things as well as a VA but maybe I''m being unfair! Anyway I guess I had thought I would go with barnardos but aware the other VA and the LA have been way quicker at responding than them - that surprises me! Anyone had any dealings with these three? Sorry my second post and its so long winded! I know no one has the magic answer but I guess I just don''t want to be down the line and realise I picked wrong..., don''t we all I guess! Any feedback much appreciated and if my jumble makes sense even better!!!