7. Matching Panel


Matching panel

By now I imagine your head hurts from all of the meetings and information sharing. You have said you wish to continue with the match what feels like 20 times now and are thinking to yourself 'get on with it already! I have told you I am committed to this child, why aren't they here already!'. Well your nearly there hopefully.

Matching panel is an independent panel who read all the reports and then make a recommendation to the Agency Decision Maker (ADM) to approve, defer or not approve the match. They are structured in a similar way to your approval panel. They will look at your PAR (Prospective Adopter Report), the CPR (Child Permanence Report) and reports prepared by the Family Finder for the match. They are basically determining what the child’s needs are and if you are able to meet them now and in the future.
Similarly to your approval panel you will be invited to attend panel with your Social Worker. Again, the panel chair will usually meet you beforehand to explain how it works and help you feel more comfortable. Some panels invite you all in at once, but they might want to ask the social workers some questions before you go in. These often focus on the child’s Care Plan, the match, how you will promote certain needs such as health, education, their heritage/identity, letterbox or adoption support. They will then invite you in and introduce themselves.


Although you have been to a panel before, this one can be as equally nerve racking. By this point I imagine you have committed yourself to a child or children, therefore it is a significant decision being made. As I said before, panel can be intimidating but you will be fine. They just want to be sure the match is right for you and the child. It is unlikely they will ask anything you’re not expecting, you will have already explored any potential issues with your social worker.


They might only ask a couple of questions. Some might be unique to you and your circumstances, so there is no point fretting and reading everything you can find on forums. It is usually best to just answer them honestly or say you don’t know, they are not trying to catch you out. Don’t worry about getting emotional or nervous, most panel’s I have been in like to see emotional responses and personality (it shows you care). I have even been in a few where was not a dry eye in the room after the adopters spoke. Though some examples could include:

- They may ask about child care, who is taking adoption leave and for how long
- Any financial issues
- Support network (close family and friends)
- What drew you to this particular child or children

Like I said, there is no point worrying about what they might ask. You will have already been through any potential issues with your Social Worker and they can prepare you for what to expect. The panel will make their recommendations to the Agency Decision Maker (ADM). This is a senior person in the agency who makes important decisions about children in care. Once this decision has been made you will move onto the next stage of your journey! And if you have already been through this then congratulations! :)





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