A new start for Mooloo

gizmo111

I've hardly used the breadmaker since the weather warmed up - it all seemed to sink and come out like bricks, be glad on the cooking front when the weather changes.

Savvy_sewing

gizmo111 wrote: »

I've hardly used the breadmaker since the weather warmed up - it all seemed to sink and come out like bricks, be glad on the cooking front when the weather changes.

Time ran away with me, still havent got around to doing any bread.

Gizmo, I have the panel meeting on the 18th.
The report is recommending I am a Foster carer. But that I also go forward for the Guardianship or residency order.
With the underlying threat that if I dont agree they put DGD up for adoption. I am not happy at that.
She is settled here, and we are coping. Its so unfair to make it go to a court case etc.
My solicitor is going to contact them and see what they are up to etc.
I have a copy of the report from the SW. But not of the attachements etc or what others have said about me.!
My friend that they contacted said there was an awful lot of questions etc and they were very thorough. Which is good to know.

I suppose I am not looking at the enevitable but I am not happy as it will upset the finances all over again.

Errata

Why would it upset the finances? Both foster carers and special guardians are paid an allowance. Surely things would be stabilised ?

Savvy_sewing

Errata wrote: »

Why would it upset the finances? Both foster carers and special guardians are paid an allowance. Surely things would be stabilised ?

The advise is that the Guardianship is not the same as the fostering. That its means tested, and can only be offered for a year or maybe 18 months. That they would then expect me to claim benefits or be out at work, bringing in an income. But with my health that is not such an easy opiton. (I wish it was).
I have to fill in a form and get my solicitor to help negotiate, if at all possible, a "Package" but they do not pay the holiday, birthday or christmas allocations that a foster carer gets.
I wish it was not about money, but it is.
I am going to be a single mum on single persons benefits, and that is not giving DGD the best start in life. (Even all my kids I had my own businesses and a better income then some of the other single mums I knew. (still know).

Ah well thats life, what ever it throws at me, I am just going to have to deal with it.!!:D

Now DGD is asleep, and i am going to do 20 minutes at the sewing machine.

Errata

Read this http://www.fostering.net/news/2010/landmark-ruling-special-guardianship-allowances again and make sure you understand the implications and you make your solicitor aware of the case.

Savvy_sewing

Errata wrote: »

Read this http://www.fostering.net/news/2010/landmark-ruling-special-guardianship-allowances again and make sure you understand the implications and you make your solicitor aware of the case.

I will print it out and send it too him. dont have his email address. We will see though. Thanks. xx

gizmo111

Errata wrote: »

Why would it upset the finances? Both foster carers and special guardians are paid an allowance. Surely things would be stabilised ?

Special guardianship is a little bit more messy, and affects mooloos benefits a bit, it also means that mooloo would have PR which is not a bad thing, but it means that the door to SS support for DGD is closed. As a LAC child under the Children (Leaving Care) Act she would be entitled to a lot of support, also pre 16 she would have priorites in education and health provision. Post 16 she would be entitled to an lot of support financially, educationally and with housing.
SS can't have DGD adopted without going ot court and getting proper assessments on her mother, I think they are trying to bully Mooloo into doing what they want and hoping the threat of adoption will make the family agree to SG.

I'm on holiday for a week from Sat - if you need an idea of what happens beforehand then let me know, I fly at some unhealthy hour on Saturday to canaries:T

Mooloo can you pop in here - it is nothing like your case but tweetie pie is very confused and I've said you will vouch for me as not being a monster - if you don't mind - page 6 onwards will probably be enough for you to get the idea of whats happening with her grandson.

gizmo111

Errata wrote: »

Read this http://www.fostering.net/news/2010/landmark-ruling-special-guardianship-allowances again and make sure you understand the implications and you make your solicitor aware of the case.

SG allowance is still means tested as SG can claim CB and CTC and the SG allowance will only top that up to fostering level. Then other benefits may be affected which with fostering allowance they are not.

Errata

Is it means tested ? My understanding is that special guardians should not be placed in a poorer financial situation than foster carers. I may have misunderstood.

gizmo111

Errata wrote: »

Is it means tested ? My understanding is that special guardians should not be placed in a poorer financial situation than foster carers. I may have misunderstood.

Yes sort of - SG can claim CB and CTC which foster carers cannot, any allowance will then be a top up to get to what foster carers are paid. Because it is means tested the top up is counted as an income and not a disregard which fostering allowance is, so therfore may have implications for other benefits. As the govt is committed to cutting tax credits then the top up will by default increase and will have a knock on effect. As I said it is a very messy system and open to interpretation.
I love SG for the security it can give children and carers, but just hate the financial side of it. I never went into social work to be a banker!
Also this case has not gone to court and to take away the mothers PR through the back door via threats of adoption is in my opinion very very wrong.