A new start for Mooloo

Savvy_sewing

Right, I am trying to catch up with far too much.
On Saturday I dropped DGD at Biggest of Mooloo's and was able to go and see my BF. Stopped off to see my son, but he was still asleep, so he caught up with me later on. BF's daughter and middle son were in. But we hardly saw them, and we just did some gardening, or in my case, reading mostly.
Then watched Tv with a glass of wine or two in the evening.
Sunday we pottered around, and went shopping in Cowley. I didnt spend much, just got plasters, some plant label sticks, and a dye. Did look around the charity shops, but I didnt buy anything for a change.
Another evening infront of the TV.
Yesterday we had a lazy start and then we went around looking for the best deal in compost.
DS came around in the afternoon for his lift home.
He did stop last night with us, having to sleep on the reclyner chair! But we all ended up walking around him this morning. I really struggled to get him up at midday!.
I went to my usual haunt at the cofee stop, in the village hall, and everyone asked after Molly41. DGD came with me, and her mum went back to bed. She reckoned that she was not well. But when I was ready to go to town for supplies, she had miraculously felt better, and is now off out with her friends for the rest of the evening, and is going to stop at her twins house. Not really what I wanted to happen today, but with DS also in the town and at his mates, its DGD and myself all alone at home tonight.

But I am very tired, still always tired, and so I shall be off to bed in a few minutes, when she is.

I did have a phone call from my social worker, and she is coming to see us on Monday, and is talking about going for a Residency Order.?
Then while we were out the local church housing support team rang Twin1 and she has probably got a house as off next Monday too.!
So its gather my energy for yet another move!
I dont know if I can even think about it at the moment, its too exhausting.
At least she doesnt have any furniture to take!!

jackieglasgow

Mooloo love, I haven't posted for a while as I didn't really have anything to say, but just wanted you to know I'm still rooting for you. How is Molly doing? Please give her my love if you text or speak to her. X

Savvy_sewing

jackieglasgow wrote: »

Mooloo love, I haven't posted for a while as I didn't really have anything to say, but just wanted you to know I'm still rooting for you. How is Molly doing? Please give her my love if you text or speak to her. X

Having looked at the number of viewings to the thread its probably just as well everyone doesnt post all the time! We would be needing a complete website for my thread alone!! :rotfl:

Molly is home today. So she will be with us soon. She was tired when I sent a message a little while ago, and will no doubt be in bed by now.
I shall not be far behind her.

I am tired, but at least I am not need to be anywere in the morning etc etc. But will have to get up with DGD, and as she went down without her evening meal, due to a late lunch, and not wanting it, she may wake early and hungry.

I am a little confused as to what the Residency Order will mean, as already I am confused at having to be registered as Self employed as I am fostering? But I am worried that I will have been giving funding with one hand, and another will be taken away with the other!.
I really need that time to get to visit the Welfare rights/ Citizens advise and get a solicitor onboard. But now that twin1, Mum, is going to have to move into her new place next week, its probably going to have to wait.
I have to save my energy to help there first.

I did talk to Mum about whether she wanted to stay with us, as she has enjoyed her time with DGD, but she is adamnant that she wants her own place and her independance.
Which means that wll need to do more with DGD again, and so I mst mae sure that my health is tiptop as it can be for me anyway.

Now its time I had a quick snack and go to bed. I am extreemely tired. So I will say goodnight all until tomorrow.

jackieglasgow

I don't want to give too much "legal advice" as a) Iam in Scotland and b) it's been a long time since I was involved with Children's Services, and a lot of stuff has moved on or changed, but it used to be that Fosterers from within the family received the money more as a "benefit" from the DSS than something which needed to be declared as income to the taxman. As I say, many years ago for me so no doubt my information is a bit out of date, but I should think you won't be considered self employed.

Savvy_sewing

jackieglasgow wrote: »

I don't want to give too much "legal advice" as a) Iam in Scotland and b) it's been a long time since I was involved with Children's Services, and a lot of stuff has moved on or changed, but it used to be that Fosterers from within the family received the money more as a "benefit" from the DSS than something which needed to be declared as income to the taxman. As I say, many years ago for me so no doubt my information is a bit out of date, but I should think you won't be considered self employed.

Think its all changed recently Jackie, as it was the Taxman who told me I had to register self employed. He did say that I could still declare my income as Nil, and working over 30 hours, and I would be eligeable for Tax credits, but not child tax credits, as Gizmo has already pointed out to me.
But my tax credits will depend on my income last year.
Then I was recently paid Child tax credits for a couple of weeks, and so I have got to pay that back, as I claimed it not knowing I was to get Fostering allowances.
I believe that it should be a disregard as it is part "maintenance" and Part PLECs, which is personal, leisure, education and savings. (Ooh think I spelt that wrong then?) So I need to set up a savings account for DGD, and I suppose it would be best if I now keep a record of what the money goes on, so that I can prove I am not making money out of caring for DGD. As if!!!

Well I had a terrible night, wish I hadnt been so tired, as my brain would not slow down, with all the things I need to do. Then my body went into some sort of contortion when I did sleep as I woke with terrible shooting pains in the left side, (normal bad side) and pins and needles all the way down my right. was a little scarey at the time.
Anyway woke up at 5.30 and didnt get back to sleep, just sort of lay in bed trying to get comfortable and gave up at 6am and made tea.
The worlds cureall for everyone. Well it doesnt do the pain, just the brain!!!
:rotfl:

floss2

Mooloo, I've had a quite look, and there are a few bits of info about fostering & self-employment...

Tax info including tax credits

Family Rights Group advice sheets

Savvy_sewing

floss2 wrote: »

Mooloo, I've had a quite look, and there are a few bits of info about fostering & self-employment...

Tax info including tax credits

Family Rights Group advice sheets

Oh I will go and look now. Why am I always searching on the wrong sites? I must be the most useless person at googling! etc etc

daska

Please don't put off consulting the solicitor re the residency order. Community Legal Services should be able to put you in touch with a 'local' solicitor who specialises in the correct area. Their telephone number is 0845 345 4 345

Savvy_sewing

I have been reading plenty of the leaflets on the Welfare Rights Group, and I am not sure I want to go for a residency order. It makes DGD's stay with me harder to reverse, it also means that the Foster Carers funding is stopped. I would also hve to apply before, for Residency funding, which it seams by all accounts varies from authority to authority, and is not usually as much as the foster carers allowances.
It also seems that you are supposed to have had the child living with you for at least a year first!.
I have downloaded a dozen or so leaflets about caring for children, the proceedures etc etc. I think I have just given myself some considerable amount of bedside reading.
I would also have to pay for going to court, (may get legal aid of course) andwould need to put my reasons forward.
Well as at the moment Mum wants to be able to have DGD back, it doesnt at first glance seem appropriate too me
I will not write it off completely, but at the moment, I think its a step too far to go to.. in our case anyway.
I shall see about ringing for advise etc but not while DGD is about. She is already well aware of what is going on around her, and is repeating things she hears. So no a good idea at the moment.

daska

Yes, sorry, my urging you to get advice was mainly to make sure you were fully and accurately informed, not to expedite something which wouldn't be appropriate. I'm not an expert in the different kinds of funding available to different kinds of carers but I do know that social workers can be pressured into using the cheapest solution, even if it isn't the most appropriate. Speaking as a step-mum I have to say that having a residency and contact order for DSD can be as much a millstone around our necks as it is the NRPs.