Help making a decision - adoption and work

Counting_Pennies_2

VfM4meplse wrote: »

Perhaps someone could tell me exactly why local authorities expect a parent to take a year of work to be with the new child? I can understand a period of adjustment is required, but a whole year....really?!

It is up to 52 weeks and is provided to give people the choice.


Given the fact the child is likely to have had a rather rocky start in life, this enables them to gain stability in their new surroundings.


The 52 weeks is not a minimum amount, it is flexible along with the same terms as maternity

dirty_magic

VfM4meplse wrote: »

OP you have my sympathy - its sounds like you'd like to be a considerate employee as well as wanting to be an adoptive parent. I can understand your hesitation but under the circumstances you can only do what's right for you now.

Perhaps someone could tell me exactly why local authorities expect a parent to take a year of work to be with the new child? I can understand a period of adjustment is required, but a whole year....really?!

It's just the equivalent of maternity leave, you don't have to take the full year. I suppose it's in case you adopt a baby, plenty of people have a year off to look after their biological baby.

OP I'd go for the job, you might not be matched straight away and lots of people go on maternity leave quickly after starting somewhere new. The child will only give you a short break from the job you hate, it's much better to go back to one where you're happier!

cyantist

Counting_Pennies wrote: »

The 52 weeks is not a minimum amount, it is flexible along with the same terms as maternity

dirty_magic wrote: »

It's just the equivalent of maternity leave, you don't have to take the full year. I suppose it's in case you adopt a baby, plenty of people have a year off to look after their biological baby.

Maybe this depends on your local authority. Ours will not even consider you unless you are willing and able to take at least a full year off as adoption leave.

But I'd definitely take the job.

Have you spoken to your social worker about any plans they have for matching you? If they don't currently have a possible child in mind for you then it's probably unlikely that it will be immediately after panel, more likely to be at least a few months.

If the perfect child came up really soon after panel, could you consider your OH taking the adoption leave instead? When I was the main earner my husband was going to take adoption leave instead of me. I think he is a little disappointed he now earns so much more than me!

Also good luck at panel!

Qtipps4

Take the job. Be happy and in a better place to have your child. Good luck. X

meritaten

Go for the job. it will mean you are much more relaxed and happy and that can only be a positive thing. Being accepted as adoptive parents and having a child can take some time - time you can utilise to get your job back on track.
oh and if Sod's law applies - you get both the new job and a new addition to the family - lots of help on here on how to live 'frugally'!
I wish you luck with both.

somethingcorporate

One more for go for the new job pile!

peachyprice

Go for the job.

There's no guarantee that you'll have a child to adopt within 6 months, it could take much longer to find a fit.

missbiggles1

VfM4meplse wrote: »

OP you have my sympathy - its sounds like you'd like to be a considerate employee as well as wanting to be an adoptive parent. I can understand your hesitation but under the circumstances you can only do what's right for you now.

Perhaps someone could tell me exactly why local authorities expect a parent to take a year of work to be with the new child? I can understand a period of adjustment is required, but a whole year....really?!

I was expected to take a term off when children were placed with us for adoption, to allow them to settle in better.

questionss

Op - do you have a partner? are you alone taking the adoption leave or Are you and your partner splitting it? If so you could consider the later part?

Either way I'd take the job and everything will work itself out xx

picklekin

Thank you all so much for taking the time to give me your opinions. I have decided to take the job! The future will just have to work itself out. I always try and think to far ahead and you're right, I have to be happy for NOW.

I did ask my husband about whether he would consider taking some of the adoption leave, and his face was a picture hehe! However he is going to go and speak to his boss to sound it out so we have all the information.

The LA haven't insisted on a years leave, but its highly recommended, and with so many prospective adopters and so few children I think you'd need to be able to offer it if you hope for a match.