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Post by annie70 on Oct 10, 2013 11:34:37 GMT
We are drowning in paperwork... We were assessed by an LA (LA1) over an hour from us as we could not go with our local LA (LA2) due to conflict of interests. We go to matching panel in November with a 3rd LA (LA3) for a little blue... they are over 3 hours away... On checking the Adoption Support Plan we have noticed that all 3 LAs are mentioned in providing support and we are a bit confused / concerned... We understand that the placing authority (LA3) have a duty to provide support in the first 3 years - and as they are some distance away they are also saying that the assessing LA (LA1) will also be expectd to provide support in this time... nothing concrete just a suggestion that they should and that we should access their training. Is this normal? After the 3 years has passed, we understood that responsibility for support would fall to our local LA (LA2) but it also states that the assessing LA (LA1) will be expected to provide support - again, nothing concrete and pretty wooly... Plus there is no contact / Officer name for our local LA (LA2) in the paperwork - is this normal? Does the process just happen without need for named people to pass it on to? Do you think we will run into issues when we ask for support if the support plan names 3 LAs and it very wooly? LO has no specific needs as yet so we don't know what to argue for on support plan... Finally, various people have mentioned Post Adoption Social Workers on here - it seems that some have them and some don't - could someone explain who they are, who provides them (which LA?) and what they can do for you?! Sorry for the waffle  Ax |
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Post by kstar on Oct 10, 2013 17:00:59 GMT
I can't answer any of the other queries, but I can tell you about my PAS if that helps! In our LA, we don't have access to a new social worker or anything, my SW Will remain my SW until Starlet is 18, or later if she develops special needs in the meantime. I won't get stat visits once the AO is through, but can phone for advice anytime and attend training, social events etc :-)
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Post by annie70 on Oct 10, 2013 19:13:38 GMT
Thanks Kstar - you don't get training in this bit and it happens so fast! That's handy to know and our SW has not filled in some of the gaps - the support plan was wrong so we have added our concerns to the placement report. Ax
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Post by piglet on Oct 10, 2013 20:01:27 GMT
I am in a similar position with three LAs. In my experience I only have access to the PASW in LA3 because I have asked for support. My old SW LA1 has technically finished his job with me but has become involved again to hold LA3 to their support plan. It's all very complicated. When needs are identified by LA3 they may ask LA1 to help them identify a local offer. That's my understanding of it anyway.
I thought - although I may be wrong - that complete responsibility went to LA2 after three years.
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Post by annie70 on Oct 10, 2013 22:26:04 GMT
Thanks Piglet - had some clarification tonight - LA3 are our main support for 3 years - then LA2 - local LA... LA1 - who we did our assessment through will provide advice and training but not put any funds into anything... our SW remains our SW (they don't have specific post adoption services) for 3 years I think - then they might still support us to get PA support from LA2... all sounds a bit finger in the air / passing bucks sort of thing but I gather that's how it is Ax |
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Post by moo on Oct 11, 2013 2:38:14 GMT
WoW Annie I am very confused for you tbh..... 
Wish I could help but baa & skweek are an in county match......
I understood the first 3 years :- Post Adoption Order ( ie that could be anytime 3 months or 3 years after placement & therefore could make it up to 6 years if you waited 3 to apply for AO..) The placing authority has to fund all theraputic input ( which will probably be sourced closest to your home otherwise you claim mileage time too putting their costs up still further!!)
After the 3 years post adoption order the authority in which you live (could be different again if you move!) pick up the bill until l/o is 18.....
Because of some of your worries re your l/o past I would say theraputic input was very probable... You need good advice from your s/w on this...... You will have read much about adopters not putting in the A.O. until support & theraputic input has been agreed.... This is why!!! Otherwise you could be in no mans land unsupported....
Our l/a has a separate PAS dept... ( thank all that is holy.... I wanted to lynch my pet demon by the time my two were placed!!!)
The very good news is you can fight for as much therapy as you feel necessary BEFORE the A O is applied for.... The A O is your trump card it makes you the most powerful you will ever be..... S/w are under pressure to ' sign cases off' & therefore if you are not doing so ( AO ) they have to find a way to convince you to!!! Aggree to spend money on your l/o eventually could be aggreed in order for the AO to go thro!!! iykwim..... I won't bore you with political stuff associated with the A O!!!
I really hope this has helped.... You are in a strong position right now.... Matching Panel are obviously on the side of your l/o... They look at everything the match & the support for you the parents.... They will be there too to make sure I's have been dotted..... Do ask away if I haven't helped or (eeeekkkk) confused you further.......
Xx. moo. Xx
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Post by barge on Oct 11, 2013 11:49:21 GMT
We had this. LA1 trained us and provided support in form of invitations to training and fun days etc. They closed their file when order went through 2 years post placement. LA3 placing authority should fund everything, provide PAS etc, but because of distance have been totally useless. With a lot of arguing our therapist has managed to out source PAS to a local VA (paid for by LA3) who she works with. This is great, however we are fast approaching the 3 year post order transfer to LA2 (local) and whether they will be willing to continue to outsource to the excellent VA support is another battle waiting to happen.
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Post by annie70 on Oct 13, 2013 12:32:25 GMT
Thanks Moo and Barge - Moo, really good to know the power of the AO, we were worried that the support plan for matching panel was the last chance we would get to argue for support... let's hope we don't have to use the AO as leverage... Barge, our SW has suggested that, because of the distance between us and placing LA, they *could* pay local sw or agency to do our PAS ... I guess we will have to wait and see what comes up and whether our SW will support us to fight for it if/when we need it... I hope your support continues from the VA  Ax |
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Post by peartree on Oct 13, 2013 12:43:35 GMT
Hi Yep,the legal thing is that the first 3 years AFTER ADOPTION ORDER (note, not placement) they are responsible But If they are a Distance away They still have an obligation to provide So will have to fund local services Check they will do this If they say they have only local services Use a local contract for post adoption services BE very very cautious The local la here, once they became legally responsible, refused to fund as the original placing LA had shirked their responsibilities and the children's difficulties were on their watch. In the meantime, we had no service MP was our only help Get any "blurry commitment" cleared up |
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