How much do I pay my babysitter?

kaznelson

Well done for taking on the responsibility of foster children & obviously caring about them so much.

I am sure that the 19 year will also benefit & gain experience from having a day with the children.

feelinggood_2

elliebobs wrote: »

:eek: some people! I's assuming/hoping that it was just a poor turn of phrase on your part.

The OP has already made it clear that it is a friend of the family and so therefore obviously this friend alreadys knows the children and the needs that they have and is willing to babysit to help out the OP regardless.

The OP deserves a break and shouldn't be made to feel guilty; all she asked for an idea of costings and not yours or anyone elses personal judgement on whether she is right or wrong.

Good luck OP; it sounds like you have your families best interests at heart.

I was asking to give an idea of costing - if there is extra care or more demand, then the rate should be higher than average.

My Nanny charges £10 an hour because she gives more intense/challenging care.

elliebobs

feelinggood wrote: »

If the kids have high needs, I'd want to pay more than the going rate. That said, I don't feel entirely comfortable with the situation. How much time has she spent with the children? Can you not get respite care, or swap babysitting duties with a fellow foster carer?

I perhaps should have quoted this from yourself then.

Anyway, I can't be bothered getting in a spat and this is not the place for either.

ninky_2

the minimum wage for 18-22 year olds is currently 4.83 an hour. paying less than this is breaking the law whether you know the person or not.

Counting_Pennies_2

I think what you are doing is a marvellous job, but I do think it is asking a lot of a 19 year old.

Three children are hard work, but three children who you have mentioned can be hard work, I really think there needs to be a back up plan.

Can the teenager's mother be on hand to come round if there is a problem?

I think it would be good for her to have a back up telephone number in case she is pushed to her limits.

Also I would suggest lots of different activities for her to do with them. I am sure you have lots, but perhaps different things so they can focus enthusiastically on them.

Perhaps the Gingerbread people you can decorate from Tescos, new comics, even a trip to buy some, and a lolly if they are good on the walk.

Just thinking of my two, I am run ragged at the end of the day, and that is without any special needs.

When I have my babysitter, it is always on the proviso she can call on her mum at any time.

Hope the course goes well

Mojisola

gingernutbizkit wrote: »

As it happens I am a foster carer with three children in my care. In two years I have not had them looked after once. She has offered to do this for the day when Mrs Ging and I have a training session that will ultimately benefit us all as a family. I hope to use her in the future once a month for a couple of hours to give me some time with my wife away from the kids. The children have high needs and this has placed a great strain on us as a couple and me as an individual caring for them 24/7. Most foster carer will place their foster children in respite care for 2 weeks per year to have a holiday without them. We have chosen not to do this as we don't think it helps the kids feel a sense of belonging to our family.

How lucky the children are to have you as foster carers.

In the light of the bit in bold, would it be better to let her try it for a shorter time once or twice, or do the day with a friend. Three children with special needs for so long is a massive responsibility. If she's going to do it on her own, does she have a back-up (eg another neighbour) who could be called in if things get too much? It would give you peace of mind so that you can enjoy your training day.

mrcow

gingernutbizkit wrote: »

She definately will be! £40-50 was what I was thinking too so I think we will put that to her and see what she says.

£40-£50! If she can't do it, drop me a line and I will!

I would have offered £30.

gingernutbizkit

Thank all for the comments.... ok, thank most of you for the useful comments

She probably will come with a friend. Her mum is round the corner. I have written out a list of emergency contact numbers. We will have our mobiles on and be able to return home if needed. The boys have a lot of new toys from xmas to keep them occupied. The babysitter is doing a degree in childcare and works at a special school. Gosh..... doesn't that make it sound like I have put some thought into who I can trust to care for the needs of the three boys I love dearly :rolleyes: :D:D.

Oh well, you have answered my questions about payment (aparently she actually isn't expecting to be paid at all so I think she'll be more than happy to receive something).

Many thanks, Ging x

consultant31

gingernutbizkit wrote: »

Yes I've spoken to my social worker and the boys social worker. She's not having them over night and so doesn't have to be CRB checked.

Thanks. Ging x

I'm really surprised at this point because my daughter is a childminder who I help out on occasion (staying with the babies while she does the school run for the older ones or vice versa) and I had to be CRB checked.

gingernutbizkit

I'm really surprised at this point because my daughter is a childminder who I help out on occasion (staying with the babies while she does the school run for the older ones or vice versa) and I had to be CRB checked.


I understand this and when I first started working with Looked After Children I thought the same however the rules are a bit different. It used to be the case that fostered children couldn't go to their friends houses for sleepovers as their friends parents hadn't been CRB checked. A group of older fostered children legally challenged this as they said that they were not being allowed to be treated like their peers.

We are allowed to ask people we know to look after kids from time to time however this can not be overnight without a CRB (my mum has been checked in case we ever needed her to care for them overnight in an emergency). If we were to use a babysitting service (not that we would) then we would need to get them checked as they would be strangers to us.

I think it's important that (as much as possible) my fostered children are allowed the same opportunities and experiences in life that they would if they were my birth children.

Ging x