Help using this website - FAQs
Having trouble using Be My Parent? We answer your FAQs...
For help getting started or if you are having problems subscribing please see Info for families, or call (020 7421 2666/5/4) or email us. If you call or email out of hours, leave a message and we'll get back to you as soon as we're back in the office.
If you can't find what you're looking for try using the search box in the top right-hand corner. Remember you can always refer to our site map for a general overview.
Agencies
Answers to frequently asked questions from agencies.
Families
Why are there more profiles in the newspaper than on the web?
Why is there an area for CRB-checked families only?
Why can’t I log in?
Can I change my password?
Can I change my email address?
What if I forget my password?
Why can’t I see any children’s profiles?
Why can’t I find the profile of a child I've seen in the Be My Parent newspaper?
How does the matching function work?
Can agencies/social workers see my supporting statement?
Will you let me know when my subscription is about to expire?
How often are the profiles updated?
Why are there more profiles in the newspaper than on the web?
Currently there are fewer children on the website than there are in the Be My Parent newspaper. However website profiles are often more detailed, with extra photos, glossary links to social work and medical terms and, in some cases, a video clip, which really brings a child to life.
In most cases, profiles appear on the website a few weeks before the paper comes out. This is because it takes more time to produce the newspaper: the pages need to be laid out, checked and proofread, then the paper will be printed and distributed. It means web subscribers get a first look at new profiles. When you enquire about a child on the website, an email gets sent straight to the child’s social worker with your details and supporting statement.
As we continue to grow and develop the Be My Parent website, we expect the number of children featured to increase. We are currently offering discounts to families who subscribe to both the website and newspaper services.
Why is there an area for CRB-checked families only?
Sometimes, children’s details are particularly sensitive; for example, where the circumstances of the child coming into care are extreme e.g. a death of a parent in criminal circumstances, or a very hostile reaction from a birth family to a child's removal. In such instances, the child’s profile will only be viewable by those Be My Parent subscribers who are approved to adopt or foster, or who are waiting to be approved but have been CRB (criminal records bureau) checked by their agency.
When you subscribe to our online service, you can provide your agency and social worker’s details. We will then contact them to confirm your CRB status, usually within seven days of your subscribing. Once this has been done, an email will go out to you: the next time you log in you will automatically see the children from this third, more secure area.
We only accept CRB checks that have been carried out through the adoption or fostering agency that assessed/are assessing you. We do not accept checks carried out by your place of employment, for example if you are a teacher or a nurse.
Remember, you do not need to be an approved carer to subscribe to the online service and enquire about children.
Why can’t I log in?
If you are having problems logging in, please make sure you are entering your email address and password correctly. Remember your password is case sensitive.
If you have forgotten your password, you can request a new one be sent to you by email by clicking ‘I've forgotten it, I'd like a new one’ on the site login page. When you log in you can change your password to something more memorable if you wish.
Can I change my password?
Yes. When you log in you can change your password in the My Profile section on the left-hand menu. Remember to keep your password safe.
Can I change my email address?
Yes. When you log in you can change your email address in the My Profile/Edit Profile section on the left-hand menu. Just change your email address in *Log In Detail*s and then press Save.
What if I forget my password?
If you have forgotten your password, you can request a new one be sent to you by email by clicking ‘I've forgotten it, I'd like a new one’ on the site login page. When you log in you can change your password to something more memorable if you wish.
Why can’t I see any children’s profiles?
You must be a subscriber to see the full children’s profiles. If you cannot see any children’s profiles, perhaps your subscription payment did not go through correctly. We should have contacted you if this is the case, if not please give us a call on 020 7421 2666/5/4.
Why can’t I find the profile of a child I've seen in the Be My Parent newspaper?
If the profile in the newspaper has a mouse icon next to it, it means the child is also featured on the website. If you cannot find the child’s profile online it may be in our secure area which only CRB checked families are able to access. If you have an old issue of the newspaper, the child profile may no longer be online.
When children are booked into the paper or on the website by agencies, it can be for one, two or three months, which the social worker will decide. So if a profile no longer appears in Be My Parent, it may simply be that the referral run has come to an end. The social worker may decide to re-refer the child at a later date, or they may not. This isn’t necessarily because the child has been matched. It may be for financial reasons, or because they are exploring other options. If the child has been withdrawn, and the social worker has confirmed this with us, we will of course let you know. We contact social workers a few months after they have used Be My Parent to find out whether the child has found a family, but we otherwise rely very much on social workers keeping us updated. If we don’t know for certain whether a child has been placed, we always give the social worker’s details anyway, and encourage you to make the call. The social worker will be able to give you much more information about the child’s current situation.
How does the matching function work?
The matching function uses your ethnicity and religion to match you with children you are best suited for. For example, a 5/5 match means that you and the child share the same ethnicity and religion. This helps social workers identify the most suitable enquiries. We are currently working to refine the matching process to make it more accurate. Please contact us if you have any questions.
Can agencies/social workers see my supporting statement?
Agencies can only see your Supporting statement when you make an enquiry about a child featured on the Be My Parent website. To create or amend your Supporting statement, go to My Profile on the left-hand menu after you have logged in.
If you wish to be featured in our Family Profiles section of the website with a photograph, please ask your social worker to contact us.
Will you let me know when my subscription is about to expire?
Yes, you will receive an email when your subscription is due to expire.
How often are the profiles updated?
We gather all new profiles together and, once they have been written and approved by the team, make them live at around the same time. This means that in the middle of the month (generally the second week of the month although it does vary) a new lot of profiles go live. In addition, some new profiles are made live outside of this timetable.
One main difference is that website profiles go live before the newspaper is sent out, so website subscribers have an advantage. They can also make enquiries direct to a child's social worker using the online system, without having to call the Be My Parent office.
Last updated: 05 March 08
