Any foster carers?

moonbeam2007

Alikay wrote: »

I foster sibling groups up to10 years old. We have twin beds (bunks are generally not considered suitable for our age group) The walls are cream and a nice green/blue which is picked out in the blind and I have coordinating bedding: Some girly sets plus stripy ones for boys and non-girly girls! No TV, computer or consoles in the room. In fact no toys in the bedroom except teddies and books as I want them to sleep when they're in there! I don't keep a lot of spare stuff in but we've got a 24 hour ASDA with big clothing dept. a couple of miles away and friends who'd dash off and pick me up necessities if we had an emergency placement.

We also have a 24 hour Asda and Tesco 5 mins from our house so it's very handy for these sorts of things. As I said in earlier post there is a TV in that room at the moment as it is our spare room used for family when they stay. In a month or so a new bed will be put in there and the room will be made ready for whatever child we have and this will be done with the advice of our SW.

It's been a long process but will be very worth it in the end.

Oldernotwiser

moonbeam2007 wrote: »

That would all depend on the child and I'd talk about this with my SW before the child came and do what they thought was best.

I wouldn't rely on getting that sort of day to day advice from the social worker necessarily.

paulwellerfan

As i said earlier moonbeam
i place kids on a daily basis
what i would expect is a clean, nutural bedroom.
with a tv if you can
but no pc.
none of my kids are allowed to use lap tops or pc's in their bedrooms.
i would also put a new towel on their bed as well as toothbrush tooth paste flannel etc.

You will know before hand what age and the sex of the child that you will be having ( your link worker will tell you )so you can put up a couple of prints or pics up on the wall or in their room according to their age.
( few of my f/c have a couple of pictures they change according to the child they have placed with them at that time)

moonbeam2007

paulwellerfan wrote: »

As i said earlier moonbeam
i place kids on a daily basis
what i would expect is a clean, nutural bedroom.
with a tv if you can
but no pc.
none of my kids are allowed to use lap tops or pc's in their bedrooms.
i would also put a new towel on their bed as well as toothbrush tooth paste flannel etc.

You will know before hand what age and the sex of the child that you will be having ( your link worker will tell you )so you can put up a couple of prints or pics up on the wall or in their room according to their age.
( few of my f/c have a couple of pictures they change according to the child they have placed with them at that time)

I'll get the child's file given to me to look over with my SW we will then look through it and make a choice from that. That's what my social worker has told me. I had my checks done and all came back fine but the social services checks have been sent back because they were not filled in correctly [that's what SW told me] so I'm still waiting and hoping on some news soon.

moonbeam2007

Also there is NO computer in that room just a computer desk which is build into the wardrobe.

gingernutbizkit

Hi,
I'm a foster parent to three brothers on a long term basis. In my experience you are unlikely to receive a child's file until the day they move in and up to then the information you will have about them will be limited and often incorrect.
In respect to bedrooms, ours were paint neutral with wipe clean paint (yeah right!), bed, desk, wardrobe, bedside light etc. Also put in an empty photo frame as some kids like to have pictures up of family or friends. Bedding was also neutral and then after a few days we took them shopping for bedding they would like. I'd be careful of gender stereotyping - our sons duvet is pink hello kitty one!
Personally I would not put a tv or computer in the children's rooms knowing some of the problems this can lead to.
You should be prepared for damage that may be done so don't put anything of value in the rooms.

HTH, Ging

gingernutbizkit

p.s I should also say that although by far the most exhausting 'job' I have ever done it is also the most rewarding.... and the kids are a breeze compared to the policies, social workers etc etc!!!!

moonbeam2007

gingernutbizkit wrote: »

Hi,
I'm a foster parent to three brothers on a long term basis. In my experience you are unlikely to receive a child's file until the day they move in and up to then the information you will have about them will be limited and often incorrect.
In respect to bedrooms, ours were paint neutral with wipe clean paint (yeah right!), bed, desk, wardrobe, bedside light etc. Also put in an empty photo frame as some kids like to have pictures up of family or friends. Bedding was also neutral and then after a few days we took them shopping for bedding they would like. I'd be careful of gender stereotyping - our sons duvet is pink hello kitty one!
Personally I would not put a tv or computer in the children's rooms knowing some of the problems this can lead to.
You should be prepared for damage that may be done so don't put anything of value in the rooms.

HTH, Ging

Ok again there is no computer in the room. There is a TV because at the moment it is used as a guest room.
It's been painted cream, new curtains and bed. Fitted wardrobes in the room and canvas on the wall. That's it for now.

As for the child's file. The way my agency work is they get an idea of what child -age etc is best for me and if one comes up they will bring the file to me to discuss and see where we go from there. This is because I have a son. They don't just bring a child to me with the file that is all discussed before hand and were both agreed.

moonbeam2007

gingernutbizkit wrote: »

p.s I should also say that although by far the most exhausting 'job' I have ever done it is also the most rewarding.... and the kids are a breeze compared to the policies, social workers etc etc!!!!

I've heard many say this too and I'm looking forward to it. I know it won't all be easy but I love children so have the time for them.

I've heard good and bad stories but none have put me off.

Ms_Chocaholic

Children are more often than not placed in foster care as an emergency so, although your agency's views re you being given the opportunity to read a file before the child(ren) arrive are admirable, I must admit it's very unlikely.

When a risk is identified that necessitates the removal of a child from a family or another foster placement breaks down they would put the child's interests first and find a placement for them as soon as possible and to hell with the foster carer being given the opportunity to read a file.