"Foster" advice needed urgently sought

orlwaysbroke

Hi.

HELP !!!!!!

Recently one of my daughter's school mates made a serious nonsexual allegation against her stepfather. The situation at home was immediately untenable. Currently child protection and police are investigating the allegation ( having discussed the matter with the local social services dept they are under the impression that the allegation was sincere ).
This is where we come in - a phone call at teatime asking if we could offer somewhere for her to stay 'for a couple of days' (!!!!). And a week later that's where we are - with no help from local sservices.

We aren't foster carers, and feel a little lost.

Are there any online forums that you can think of that we could become involved with. I have a feeling that we are tiptoeing around the edge of what may become a huge minefield. The poor lass is having to sleep on an airbed while social services prevaricate about pennies, but at the same time sservices are hinting about her staying with us on a permanent basis - we feel a little lost.

And most importantly at the centre of all of this is a bright, amiable teenager who - through no fault of her own - is feeling very unsupported.

Between my wife and I we have 7 years experience of working with looked after children' but never in our own home. The poor girl hasn't even been allocated her own social worker, each time we call the duty team pick it up and we have to recount everything all over again and again.

What are her rights ...
... and what are ours.

Both my wife and I work full time, and have two kids of our own. It's crazy that we have to seek support from a forum, but there you go.

thesaint

Ask to speak to the Team manager of the duty team.

Too be honest unless you are willing to put her out on the street, Social services will drag their heals.
Give them time limits they have to respond by. They will be extremely busy, and work on a priority basis. If you will 'Have her for a few more days', they will not doing anything as a matter of urgency.

Jet

How old is the girl?

pavlovs_dog

no idea to to begin really. have you contacted CAB? they are a mine of info

hugs, and keep your chin up

Gabriel-Ernest

I don't have any advice but just wanted to say Bless your hearts for taking in this vulnerable lass and providing her with a family environment while this is being resolved. She could have ended up in a hostel.

orlwaysbroke

Thanks to all above.

She's 14, the only way to contact Team Leader is through the jobsworth on the switchboard (team leader in a meeting, team leader on flexi leave, team leader will call you back , etc etc).

As someone has ponted out, it does appear that they are dragging their heels in some fashion - but there's no way that I am going to threaten to return her to social services again - so we're at their mercy to an extent.

inkie

I would call and speak to the head at school and explain the situation - they should be able to get to speak to TL at SS on your behalf professional to professional so to speak, as wrong that it is, they may have more clout. Bless you both for acting in this situation and I wish you well and hope that the situation is quickly resolved.

love_lifer

a tip- if you have the team leader's name you can email them by adding [email]name@...gov.uk[/email]- inserting name of area social services (eg birmingham, salford etc). that may well force a response
however, these things do take time to sort so if you can please be patient and keep doing the right thing for the girl- all credit to you for being decent people

by the way, after 28 days she becomes 'privately fostered' at which point ss must take more action and assess you to look after her, finances and all. so there will be some movement

Bossyboots

Social Services have you over a barrel and they know it. The upshot of you staying she can't stay any longer will mean they will take the soft option and place her elsewhere. They are relying on you not wanting that to happen.

They should be paying you a fostering allowance but this can take several days to come through. The difficulty is of course that you aren't registered foster parents so it does take a bit longer.

If they want her to stay with you permanently, you are going to have to be assessed for your suitability as long term carers. That can be pretty intrusive. Are you prepared to do that?

Unfortunately, the problem with no allocated social worker is a growing one and even if one is allocated, chances are it will change in a few weeks.

VKS_2

You should call the Fostering Network's freephone helpline and get some proper advice - especially if they are looking at it being a longer term arrangement. Their number is 0800 040 7675 and they will advise you what steps to take next.

You will probably be assessed as a family and friends or kinship foster carer (or at least you should be). This will ensure that you will be entitled to recieve fostering allowances - the minimum it will be is £129 per week.

Good luck

orlwaysbroke

Thanks for your comments and advice.

My concern about this evolving into a private foster situation is that the parent has already made it clear that no financial help for daughter will be available. I know it sounds a little mercenary, but why should I pay to bring up her child.

Is a friends and family carer different to a private fosterer?