[jamie2882]

One of the SW handling our HS for Foster/Adoption is incredibly flaky, forgetful, unorganized, and inattentive. We started the process back in December with an agency and things are moving along quickly so I don't want to complain too much but I'm getting frustrated. She is not new to Social Work but is new to CA so the agency has her working with a more seasoned adoption specialist social worker. She loses all our paperwork, was late to our last visit/interview and then was an hour early to the last one. She called one day to cancel our interview, but we didn't even have an appointment that day, it was the next week! I'm trying to tolerate all of this but then at our couple interview yesterday she wasn't paying attention at all. She wasn't taking any notes and at one point started looking at some directions and a map. Luckily the other worker was very attentive, taking notes, and answering all the questions. But here we are pouring out all our personal info and she's not even listening...kind rude. What worries me is that I heard the adoption worker tell her to start typing up our home study while the interviews are fresh in her head. What??? she's not even listening. I feel like I should express my concern but I'm also afraid to step on toes. It seems like the AW is also frustrated with the SW at times and made a point to take my husbands physical papers from her that she had previously lost.

Any advice??? Should I suck it up and see how the home study turns out??? Or should I say something to the AW or her supervisor??

[mamaberry]

I would just wait it out. While I haven't finished my foster care home study yet, my husband and I just recently went through a home study for an international adoption (are trying to do concurrent adoptions, i think we must be nuts!) and our AW was training one of their pregnancy counselors to do home studies. She was kind of setting back and letting her take the wheel. The counselor did an awesome job, so i did not have those types of concerns. But I also knew that in the end I was going to get to read over the home study and correct anything I thought they had misinterpreted. So maybe just ask if you are going to be allowed to see a "draft" of the home study before it is finalized to ensure that everything is correct and was properly understood. That way you'll know if she missed anything when she typed it up but you'll be able to avoid the uncomfortable conversation of discussing her performance.

[jamie2882]

Well I decided not to do anything and I think the AW said something about her. I got a call today from our agency's main office stating that the flakey lady would no longer be working our HS, just the AW I liked. LOL I was happy to hear it, and happy to know it wasn't just me being irrational, someone else noticed what I was worried about!

[rm41more]

I feel your pain. We had similar issues with our agencies recruiting social worker. She wasn't organized, never knew the answer to anything, and NEVER EVER EVER EVER followed up. Happy you are able to work with someone you feel comfortable with. It makes all the difference in the end. Good luck and hope you get certified and approved soon!

[takeuwithme96]

I have a degree in Social Work, but having a degree in Social Work doesn't mean you 'have a brain' 'have common sense' etc. And odds are, she won't last long. They are so desperate for Social Workers, so they probably will just discipline her if they find out, but odds are she is not enjoying her job and she will quit. Hopefully you get a better one.

Originally Posted by jamie2882

One of the SW handling our HS for Foster/Adoption is incredibly flaky, forgetful, unorganized, and inattentive. We started the process back in December with an agency and things are moving along quickly so I don't want to complain too much but I'm getting frustrated. She is not new to Social Work but is new to CA so the agency has her working with a more seasoned adoption specialist social worker. She loses all our paperwork, was late to our last visit/interview and then was an hour early to the last one. She called one day to cancel our interview, but we didn't even have an appointment that day, it was the next week! I'm trying to tolerate all of this but then at our couple interview yesterday she wasn't paying attention at all. She wasn't taking any notes and at one point started looking at some directions and a map. Luckily the other worker was very attentive, taking notes, and answering all the questions. But here we are pouring out all our personal info and she's not even listening...kind rude. What worries me is that I heard the adoption worker tell her to start typing up our home study while the interviews are fresh in her head. What??? she's not even listening. I feel like I should express my concern but I'm also afraid to step on toes. It seems like the AW is also frustrated with the SW at times and made a point to take my husbands physical papers from her that she had previously lost.

Any advice??? Should I suck it up and see how the home study turns out??? Or should I say something to the AW or her supervisor??