money for football club for foster brother

eskimo26

He wants to join the local club which is £120 per season, obviously we can't pay it and nor would the social worker let us. I'm always hearing about how accessible sports and especially football is, is their a way to get help with the costs or is it all rhetoric?

It is unlikely the social workers would stump up the cash either because of cut backs. We are a family that is new to fostering any kind of advice or support will be much appreciated.

Just for the record he can't work legally or we would have had him on a paper round or weekend hours.

robpw2

can he not do household chores to earn a bit of cash , and save the money himself ..

eskimo26

robpw2 wrote: »

can he not do household chores to earn a bit of cash , and save the money himself ..

I'm putting a system in place now but it would take a while to earn that much and the 1st payment of £50 is due next time he attends (this week was a free tester.)

robpw2

eskimo26 wrote: »

I'm putting a system in place now but it would take a while to earn that much and the 1st payment of £50 is due next time he attends (this week was a free tester.)

well , im sorry but tough choices need to be made , if you cannot afford to pay he simply cannot go ..
is there nowhere he could play cheaper , you will need to explain to him how you cannot afford it ..

eskimo26

robpw2 wrote: »

well , im sorry but tough choices need to be made , if you cannot afford to pay he simply cannot go ..
is there nowhere he could play cheaper , you will need to explain to him how you cannot afford it ..

We have already told him its down to his social worker to make this money available (won't happen).

The thing is i would imagine at this point most social workers would have a list of charities or understand the system well enough to find a solution (for example a fund for poorer/disadvantaged children to access footbal clubs or sports in general.)

Unfortunately his social worker is terriblly incompetent and is probably to busy to care enough to find out the necessary information which is why i'd doing that now.

[Deleted User]

I was under the impression you got paid allowances for Foster Kids anyway? To pay for their needs?

Transformer

You choose to foster and fosterers do a great job, but in your care the kids for a while is as your own, so as you would for your own if you cannot afford say no.

Be careful not to blame the social worker when probably cannot help on such an issue any how, you dont want to alienate the kid when it is you who should just say no or next year when saved up

I was also under impression foster carers were paid more than normal benefit payments for own child would be, so perhaps a bit of juggling might help.

I know you dont want to say no as you are probably very kind, but you have to.

Superbiatch

My parents are foster carers and do receive a nice payment for doing so, but it is a demanding 24/7 job which sometimes makes even my own parents wonder why they do it. But it is very rewarding and when you see a happy ending, its all worthwhile.

That said, any extra-curricular activities they take part in comes from mum and dad. My suggestion would be to loan the kiddie the money and get him/her to work it back doing household chores, washing cars etc.

Transformer

I agree they do a 24/7 great job and if they didnt many kids would be stuck in childrens homes.

I bet there are thousands on thousands of kids who appreciate the family life they get the chance of having, best wishes to op.

eskimo26

Superbiatch wrote: »

My parents are foster carers and do receive a nice payment for doing so, but it is a demanding 24/7 job which sometimes makes even my own parents wonder why they do it. But it is very rewarding and when you see a happy ending, its all worthwhile.

That said, any extra-curricular activities they take part in comes from mum and dad. My suggestion would be to loan the kiddie the money and get him/her to work it back doing household chores, washing cars etc.

Its already been done with his phone, his paying us back currently.:o

I think it really is a case of to new to fostering and we've been a bit to generous. We are trying but its not in our nature to be systematic, i think we are learning to be more methodical as we go along though.

I'm just surprised their is no accessibility fund because he is immensely talented and it is sport. He won the 200 metres twice at school on his sports day and I think sports can give him a very solid career opportunity.

kingfisherblue

Unfortunately he is in the same position as many youngsters - there are hundreds of parents who have to say no, simply because they cannot afford it. It can be a difficult lesson to learn, but it is a necessary one.

You could enquire at your local community centre, sports centre, or with the sports section of the council if there are any other local clubs that he could join - in our area, we have at least three within a mile of where I live, and I'm on the very edge of town (only a few houses and then plenty of fields beyond ).

I would also support Transformer's comments about not blaming the social worker. However ineffective he might be, he is still an important person in the child's life, and should be treated with respect. The child needs you to model that respect and he will learn from you.