Need some advice - stealing

GDB2222

geri1965 wrote: »

Because if they don't, people like the OP wouldn't get involved, and there would need to be more care homes to house these young adults. This would cost the taxpayer more.

The more she gets involved with the criminal justice system, the more likely she is to go to prison. This would cost the taxpayer more.

I was going to say pretty much the same. There's no use supporting these troubled kids for years, then punishing them big-time when they don't behave like angels. It takes time, but eventually they do grow up. In the meantime, it's no good saying this gril will learn her lesson from the Police being called. No, she won't, and by the time she does start to mature, her life will be ruined. That's the point of the SS giving her help in the first place.

I am sure that Crawley_girl holds the same view, as I am pretty sure that the Police would have jumped into this case with both feet if she had asked them to take action - this would be a dead easy case to solve and it all helps the crime stats.

I have a question, though. How much support was this girl getting from SS for moving into her own flat? Or was she just going to move in on Saturday with nothing to eat, no bed-clothes, and nothing to do except stare at the walls?

poppysarah

gardenjenny wrote: »

I agree gizmo, SS have simply done what parents would have done. They made her show up to a meeting and account for herself and then they paid for her indiscretions. It would be good to know whether they're docking her allowance, but hopefully simply showing her that her mistakes wont be ignored is a message that will eventually get through.

Erm, is that what parents should do though?
I know one family who have bailed out the son "just one last time" about 10 times now.

Some people just take.

I'm glad you've got it sorted even though it's possibly not the best resolution.

elfen

Crikey, the kid is already in/just coming out of care! I dread to think what her original home life was like, and whether she was in a home or with foster parents - by being in Supported Living I'd suggest the former. Do any of you know what she's been through except the OP, who, by the way, is soft hearted and kind natured enough in the first place to give someone used to being in the system a chance.

Ok, she stole stuff. BUT, after giving a threat you are more than ready to carry out, having a meeting with the girl and her SW, informing her of the consequences and her realising she could lose her job over it - the stuff is being replaced. No harm done. I, however, would suggest to the SW that she has a talk with this young lady about right and wrong and about morals - specifically taking what isn't yours - and hope that by explaining things to her, like an adult, she may listen, instead of losing her job due to her actions as a impetuous 18 year old.

bristol_pilot

So once again the taxpayer pays - brilliant !

Social workers are nothing but personal slaves for chavs provided by the taxpayer.

crawley_girl

GDB2222 wrote: »

I was going to say pretty much the same. There's no use supporting these troubled kids for years, then punishing them big-time when they don't behave like angels. It takes time, but eventually they do grow up. In the meantime, it's no good saying this gril will learn her lesson from the Police being called. No, she won't, and by the time she does start to mature, her life will be ruined. That's the point of the SS giving her help in the first place.

I am sure that Crawley_girl holds the same view, as I am pretty sure that the Police would have jumped into this case with both feet if she had asked them to take action - this would be a dead easy case to solve and it all helps the crime stats.

I have a question, though. How much support was this girl getting from SS for moving into her own flat? Or was she just going to move in on Saturday with nothing to eat, no bed-clothes, and nothing to do except stare at the walls?

Very little support! She has been through some horrible things in the last 12 months and with this, her attitude worsened and became more aggressive. No input from SS in the last 9 months despite months and months and many, many times to get her an allocated worker. I have made a formal complaint to the manager of the 14+ team about her lack of support.

Anyway, when we got to crisis point and I gave her notice, SS were oblidged to get involved. They have offerd financial support (via her Leaving Care Grant) and would appear no emotional support.

Would it make any difference (and I suspect it would) if I told you that she is 20

gizmo111

There are many emotions running high here

A child has been in care, that is not something that happens easily.
To meet the criteria to have a leaving care service the chid must have been in care for 13 weeks between the age of 14 and still in care on 16th birthday - this gives you the title of 'Care Leaver'
Whilst a child is in care, and when that child leaves care the local authority is the corporate parent.
To be eligilble for a supported lodging scheme funded by SS, in 99.9% of LA's across the country a child must be either a relevant or eligible young person.
Whilst I sympathise with the OP, she was not being just symapthetic and offering her home to a disadvantaged child she would have known the young pesons background and been paid around £180 per week to offer her a home. I find it hard to believe that a YP would have been leaving a supported lodgings scheme with no move on plan or support, either financially or emotionally.

Anyway, when we got to crisis point and I gave her notice, SS were oblidged to get involved. They have offerd financial support (via her Leaving Care Grant) and would appear no emotional support.

Would it make any difference (and I suspect it would) if I told you that she is 20

SS would have been involved when the placement was set up so giving notice wouldn't have been a trigger. whjy would it make a difference if she was 20? Would any reasonable parent stop supporting their child at the age of 20?

barnaby-bear

gizmo111 wrote: »

There are many emotions running high here

A child has been in care, that is not something that happens easily.
To meet the criteria to have a leaving care service the chid must have been in care for 13 weeks between the age of 14 and still in care on 16th birthday - this gives you the title of 'Care Leaver'
Whilst a child is in care, and when that child leaves care the local authority is the corporate parent.
To be eligilble for a supported lodging scheme funded by SS, in 99.9% of LA's across the country a child must be either a relevant or eligible young person.
Whilst I sympathise with the OP, she was not being just symapthetic and offering her home to a disadvantaged child she would have known the young pesons background and been paid around £180 per week to offer her a home. I find it hard to believe that a YP would have been leaving a supported lodgings scheme with no move on plan or support, either financially or emotionally.

wow! that's a lot of rental for a room...

gizmo111

barnaby-bear wrote: »

wow! that's a lot of rental for a room...

The whole point of the scheme is that is not just a room rental .... it is the transistion from foster care to independence.. but with none of the work and responsibility that the foster carers do

crawley_girl

LOL!

I can see your points gizmo and agree with most of them. She had been with me for 2 yrs+ and I really am fond of her, despite the incident as previously described. Yeah, her life has been tough and not sure how I would have coped if the same had been inflicted on me. I am sad that the placement ended the way it did, but it had to happen as I was beginning to feel unsafe in my home.

I wondered how long it would take for someone to mention money!!! It wasn't and still isn't about the money or else I wouldn't have asked her to leave or I would have someone else lined up to take the room.

It was not a planned move - more a crisis situation that needed immediate intervention, sadly, this meant she needed to go. I genuinely feel that the 'system' has let her down but I am also feeling extremely guilty, despite people say that I need not. She didn't have a named worker until 3 weeks ago, her sw is new to the area, new to the job who told her conflicting information - SS would help, no they wouldn't, yes they would, all of which was wasting time as the clock was ticking towards the move out date. It wasn't well planned at all and again, I feel guilty and partly responsible.

With regards to her age, people who kindly responded to my OP were talking about her being 18, when I didn't make it clear that she was older. With regards to the little dig about 'resonable parents' - I was not and am not her parent but I still care about her and her welfare, even though some might argue, that my actions do not reflect this.

Ultimately, she stole from me and through people's support on here and 'in real life' I have done what I believed to be right and fought for the return of the stolen items instead of just accepting this and being a door-mat

crawley_girl

gizmo111 wrote: »

The whole point of the scheme is that is not just a room rental .... it is the transistion from foster care to independence.. but with none of the work and responsibility that the foster carers do

That's a bit harsh! Do you speak from experience?