The story so far

The group on our pre-adoption introduction course - above.

Well, I'm starting this blog after visit number 4 from the social worker (officially visit number 3 though).

Dan and I decided to adopt after 3 failed IVF attempts. We first attended a meeting on adoption with Southampton City Council in November of 2007. At that meeting, we were told some details about what is involved and given a pack containing application forms, which we completed and sent back.

We were then invited to attend a 4 day pre-adoption course in July of 2008. The course was great fun and we met other couples in the same position as us - Duncan and Mark, Steph and Uri - the flamenco dancers, Phil and Rachel - the teachers, V and V, Mark and Sharon. We all got on really well and agreed to keep in touch and support each other through the process.

At that stage Criminal records checks were made, which came back clear, and I had a full medical.

Following the course, we wrote to Southampton City Council to say we were still interested in adopting.

We were allocated a social worker in August 2008 - her name is Sally. Our first visit with her was in October 2008.

The first visit gave us a chance to meet each other and do the "admin" stuff - show passports and National Insurance details, confirm names and addresses of prospective referrees etc.

We then started what is known as the Home Study. We have been informed this consists of between 7 and 12 home visits, during which the social worker gets to know us very well. Everything in our lives is looked at during these visits, with each one concentrating on a different aspect of our lives.