If you could ask a former SW from your agency questions

Dragonfly_Bride

...What?would?you ask? I may have an?opportunity?to ask some questions of a former SW for the agency we're looking at. But... I don't know what to ask. Any suggestions? ?

jacksjerseygirl

Hmm I don't know. My agency, AP coordinator, AP caseworker have all been very upfront and transparent with us.

I guess, in your case, I would think about why it is that the agency is one that you are still 'looking' at and not one that you have 'committed' to. Perhaps, the SW could clear up any doubts or any areas that haven't seemed transparent to you.

I guess I would ask her: if you were adopting, would you yourself use xyz agency?

If she was terminated by the agency, her responses may not be so great. Or, if she is a true professional or has signed any agreements with the agency that legally bind her, you may only receive the agency message - not her own true personal feelings.

So I'm not sure how much help her opinion would be anyway?

Dragonfly_Bride

jacksjerseygirl:

Hmm I don't know. My agency, AP coordinator, AP caseworker have all been very upfront and transparent with us.

I guess, in your case, I would think about why it is that the agency is one that you are still 'looking' at and not one that you have 'committed' to. Perhaps, the SW could clear up any doubts or any areas that haven't seemed transparent to you.

I guess I would ask her: if you were adopting, would you yourself use xyz agency?

If she was terminated by the agency, her responses may not be so great. Or, if she is a true professional or has signed any agreements with the agency that legally bind her, you may only receive the agency message - not her own true personal feelings.

So I'm not sure how much help her opinion would be anyway?

Oh, we're not?committed?yet due to some financial issues we need to sort out first. My dh?really?likes this agency, and I'm not feeling anything to pull me away from it...But, I guess my main concern is making sure the e-moms are treated with respect, and I guess to see if there are any other odd things going on. Not that I think there are, but I'm sort of going crazy with not being able to take the next step, so doing research is all I really have. Anyway, the former SW is on yelp, and?said?nice things?about?the agency, but I thought maybe I could delve a little deeper with her.?

BurkeJax

I would ask if there was one thing you could change about the agency what would it be?

That might lead to some follow up questions depending on how she answers.

 

Amie 

jacksjerseygirl

What has the agency said about how they treat the birth families? Is there anything in their answer that makes you question them?

All I'm saying is that in most employment situations like this, the employer (aka sw) signs legal documents that prohibits her from speaking negatively about her former employer. So you might not get 'dirt'.

But I think asking those lead in questions, like pp said about what would they change if they could change anything ... or would they themselves adopt with that agency or if they were in a situation of a birth mother would they chose to work with that agency.

Still yet, if she is a true professional and has signed legal documents - you might not get much out of her but glowing or neutral responses bc it is her reputation on the line if it were to get out that she 'bad talks' her former employers.

Erin Mary Ackerman

I disagree with the notion that a "true professional" will not say anything negative.

 

A professional can give an honest, informed assessment of truth.  As to signing legal documents preventing honest critcism-I think that would be very rare.  

Truth is always professional.  I doubt most people would say anything negative about a former employer, but I reject the idea that it is "professional" or otherwise...I think it's habit or manners

Ranita

I think it's hard to get honest answers - or revealing answers - from someone who feel put on the spot of cornered.  I think the example that the pp said of 'if you could change/improve one thing about the agency what would it be' is a great question and allows the person to answer clearly without having to specificaly be negative and what they say may trigger something in you.  If you're concerned about the care given to emoms you may also ask something like. 'if you were expecting and looking to make an adoption plan, why would you choose this agency?'  that puts the positive spin on it as if you're saying 'clearly, this is a great place, what do you like best' and you may hear that the support is great and you'll get your answer.  On the other hand if you hear something like 'I wouldn't' then you really have your question answered.