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We've got absolutely no complaints about the process with our LA (they are highly rated and we can see why) - we have found everyone that we have dealt with to be just the right mix of professional, efficient and friendly. We've had contact with quite a few SWs during the process and this holds true for all of them. We have felt extremely well supported throughout - all our calls and emails have been answered by return and at no point have we felt that we've just been left hanging or that we don't know what's going on. Our experience in detail: Early October 2013: Went along to an information evening - several SWs plus some adoptive parents talked us through the process, shared their experiences and answered questions. Late October 2013: Having decided we wanted to go ahead we submitted our pre-application form and received a home visit from SW#1 - she was very nice and sensible but expressed some concerns about our suitability to adopt as we do not have any fertility issues - she completely took on board our point that if adoption is to serve the best interests of the child how can it be any worse for a child to have adoptive parents who have gone down that route as a first choice rather than a last resort, but needed to speak to her manager and due to holidays didn't think she'd be able to do so until the following week. We felt rather deflated when she left but she clearly didn't want to keep us hanging, so in fact she called her manager from her car, and called us about 10 minutes later to say that they were in complete agreement and we could go ahead and apply. Early December 2013: Went along with all our DBS paperwork and submitted our application form. January 2014: Entered stage 1 off the process - gathering of references, attending preparation workshops (2 days) and meeting plenty of other adopters at the same stage as us February 2014: Completed stage 2 preparation workshops (3 days) despite not having everything ready for stage 1 - in fact completion of stage 1 ended up being delayed as my husband has a medical condition which the LA medical advisor insisted on getting a specialist's report for - the soonest appointment available was for three months away and the medical advisor then took another month to approve it, but finally - in July - we made it to stage 2 and the start of the home visits! This bit was somewhat frustrating (as we knew the condition was irrelevant) but we understood why the medical advisor didn't want to sign off on it, so we just waited as patiently as we could. Late July 2014: First home visit (in the evening, so no need to take time of work), with SW#2 (as #1 was now doing a different job) - we really liked her and found the whole home study process very enjoyable. We actually looked forward to seeing her - this was helped by the fact that neither of us have any qualms about discussing personal issues with strangers ... August 2014: Two more home visits - both in the evening, so no work missed. September 2014: Our last two home visits (we had five in total) - one on a Saturday and the other in the evening. Early October 2014: Panel day! We felt well prepared for this and only very slightly nervous. SW#2 was seeing us sessionally we also met our new SW#3 who would complete the process with us (I have asked them about these changes of SW and they have said they would much prefer to have just one to do the whole thing, but don't have enough SWs for all the home visits, so this is the only way they can get through them all - ie having SWs do visits outside their usual working hours; we've not really found it to be a problem though). We answered a few questions and after a short wait were told that we would be recommended for approval. Late October 2014: First proper meeting (at home) with SW#3 so we could all get to know each other a bit better. Late December 2014 (a few days before Christmas holidays begin): Received a call from SW#3 to say they had a potential match with a six-month old boy (L) but due to lengthy medical report they intended to approach two families (not something they normally do) - they were clear that if we weren't comfortable with this we could just say no and it would be fine. We didn't mind this approach at all (and they would have known we'd be fine with it from home study) so they sent through all the reports that day and we responded the next day to say we were interested. Early January 2015: Once all the festivities were out of the way, they got back to us to say they had decided to proceed with us - yay! Throughout January 2015: Attended an excellent LA run parenting course - two full days plus two evenings, all fully funded by the LA. Mid January 2015: Meeting (at home) with four different SWs to talk to us about L and check they were all happy with us - they had a quick meeting while we left the room and then called us back to confirm that they thought we were a perfect match. Finally shown pictures of him during this meeting! Early February 2015: Attended a "Talking to Children about Adoption" evening course - one of many free courses that we are offered. Mid February 2015: Meeting with SW#3 to talk in more detail about L. Also a meeting with the LA medical advisor who was able to talk through the medical report in more detail with us. Early March 2015: Meeting with L's foster carer to get lots of practical information - also more photos and updates on his progress! Further meeting with SW#3 to make sure we were ready for panel. Mid March 2015: Linking panel - another happy and stress-free experience - we were well supported and knew exactly what to expect and were told straight away that they would recommend the match. Late March 2015: Placement meeting (to get all the final details and paperwork sorted out) and then the start of introductions - we met L for the first time! This was followed by introductions week - brilliantly managed by foster carer and SWs - we had plenty of support and regular calls from several different SWs to make sure everything was going smoothly and we were happy with the process. 1 April 2015: Move in day! Another very well managed day, with friendly texts to make sure all was going well. Texts/calls were initially daily (though never intrusive) and we knew we could call at any time if necessary. This gradually reduced when they were happy that we were doing okay... April 2015: We had two weekly follow up visits, one week and two weeks after he moved in, and then our first review meeting three weeks after he moved in. At this point they agreed to reduce the frequency of visits - since then we have had two more visits during May. Our second review is due on the 10-week anniversary of move-in day, which is also the day we will submit our application to adopt him (assuming they agree that we can!) After that our visits will drop down to monthly, unless we ask for them to be more frequent. We have already been provided with all the information that we need to complete the form, so we're completely ready to go - then it will just be the wait for the court date and all of that process to get through. We have excellent ongoing support available - we have mobile numbers of three different SWs (who text us from time to time just to make sure we're okay and are fine for us to call them at any time), access to numerous free courses, an annual adoption picnic to attend, an "adoption buddy" scheme, free counselling services, the list goes on. I can't imagine feeling any more supported than we do. There is also a very good letterbox scheme in place and we have already sent our first letter to L's birth parents, who we hope to meet at the end of this month. L has birth sisters who are being adopted separately and we have met up with them once so far, all very well supported by SWs. The process isn't always difficult or unpleasant - we've enjoyed the whole thing (save for the annoying medical-issue delay) and LAs can be excellent if you're lucky enough to have a good one!!