Need some advice - stealing

crawley_girl

Hi guys

Not sure if I am posting in the right section, hopefully I am

I had a young girl living with me under 'Supported Lodgings' scheme which is when someone who has been in the care system lives with an approved person to help them to become independent before moving on to have their own place.

She had been living with me for over 2 years and her behaviour became more and more outrageous and after an incident of threatening behaviour, I gave her a month's notice to leave. No tenancy agreement. no licence so no problem with legalities. The arrangement is between Social Services and myself and they supported my decision due to her behaviour.

Anyhow, she had to be out on Saturday just past. And she just about managed that but took approximately £100 worth of food and cleaning materials etc from the kitchen cupboards and another £200 worth of household goods - stereo, airer, duvet, pillows, knife block, washing basket, kitchen utensils, cutlery. All without my permission.

Unfortunately, I had to be somewhere else unexpectedly on Saturday afternoon. I can't turn back the clock but just wish that I had the hindsight to have stayed in the flat to supervise!!!!

I have contacted my worker to report this and she said it would appear unlikely that anything could be done but she would see. The young girl does not want me to have her address and has changed her mobile number so she clearly doesn't want any contact with me - not really surprised seeing how she has stolen from me!

So was wondering if anyone had any advice should Social Services and the young person's social worker not want to resolve this and what my next move could be?

Thanks for reading

:heartpuls CG :heartpuls

bristol_pilot

You are far too kind-hearted! Call the police.

gizmo111

Depends what you want to do and how you want it resolved. It would be very easy for SS to refund you out of the girls leaving care grant, normally when a SL placement starts they provide the basics, eg duvet, covers towels etc, di they do this? Did the young person bring any of her own stuff with her?

crawley_girl

Hi guys, thanks for your responses.

I want the stuff back or money to replace them. When she arrived, she just had her clothes and personal belongings. I provided towels and bedding etc. I can kind of understand her taking the duvet but not the entire contents of my cupboards!

Re: leaving care grant, I know that she is entitled to this, but would it be cheeky of me to mention this to her social worker? And actually is it my place to say that? And what if young person denies this?

I am just so annoyed with her actions and that she has taken things that don't belong to her

crawley_girl

She has been told she will get her grant now that she has her own place. I provided everything else for her when she moved in with me and she didn't get any money prior to this

bristol_pilot

So why not call the police?

crawley_girl

Cos I am a softie like you said earlier!

Do you think they would take me seriously? And what are the chances of them being able to do anything/ prove anything?

I feel like such an idiot!

Catblue

Have you changed the locks? If not, then do so tomorrow.

The last thing you need is more stuff being taken while you are out.

crawley_girl

Going to next weekend, but using chubb locks when out and inside bolt when in. She didn't have chubb lock keys as I have the only one.

Thanks for your concern cat

LeeSouthEast

Call the bloody police! That's outrageous. You'll get most of your stuff back with any luck.

mrstinchcombe

When you consider some of the !!!! phone calls the Police get its outrageous that you havent even considered it.

Shes committed crimes against you, call the Police. If for some reason you don't want the Police to go down the lines of arresting her etc then they will hopefully be able to facilitate getting your stuff back and giving her a rollicking for what its worth.