Problems with child services

tony0806

Vomityspice wrote: »

The local authority is being 'shifty' by pretending the children's placement is nothing to do with them!

In simple terms if it was the local authority that requested the placement then they should have a) completed a viability assessment to ensure that you were likely to pass a formal assessment (i.e. Local checks with police etc) and then b) started a 'connected persons on' (kinship) assessment. During the 16wk assessment you would be paid at your LA fostering rate ( should be on their website). At the end you then go to the fostering panel for a recommendation to be sent to the 'Decision Maker', who makes the decision if you are to be approved. Assuming you are approved, payments continue.

On Monday, ask the social worker who made the placement to start the process or remove the children. Whilst this may seem harsh, it will concentrate the SWs next move.

The LA also have powers under S17 to provide financial assistance.

So what do you reckon would be the best way for us to get social services moving as they are just passing the book at the moment.

pmlindyloo

This organisation may be able to advise:


http://www.baaf.org.uk/info/kinship-care-and-special-guardianship

tony0806

Just read s17 and really feel now even more than before that i'm been done over by the social workers. Guess its going to be a matter of chasing them non stop. Just did not realise how hard it would honestly be to get a bit of help and save them so much time and money. What would there answer be if we threatened to hand the children back to child services and they then had to pay out on care.

BigAunty

Can anyone remember the name of the poster who posted a year or two ago about her uphill but eventually successful battle to get kinship care allowance from her local council?

Here are some news articles about this topic

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2516579/The-incredible-families-relatives-children--huge-personal-cost.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1276561/Grandmother-caring-granddaughter-15-wins-right-pay-foster-carer-landmark-court-decision.html

I suggest you involve your MP in this issue - they are supposed to serve you.

I believe there are also kinship carers support websites - have a look at what they say on the matter.

Vomityspice

tony0806 wrote: »

Just read s17 and really feel now even more than before that i'm been done over by the social workers. Guess its going to be a matter of chasing them non stop. Just did not realise how hard it would honestly be to get a bit of help and save them so much time and money. What would there answer be if we threatened to hand the children back to child services and they then had to pay out on care.

You don't need to chase them. Simply phone in on Monday morning with this simple ultimatum.

"Either start a connected person assessment and provide assistance to these children or at midday I will drop them off at the local office and you can start Care proceedings"

Then the ball is firmly in the LA's court and they will need to make a decision on how to proceed.

Ultimately the response will depend on what the LAs view is on the case. They may simply return the children to their parents. However, if this is not possible then the LA is under a duty (Care Planning Regulations) to explore their extended family network before they are placed with foster carers.

You may speed things up if you make a formal complaint to the
LA as they appear to have initiated the placement and are pretending that the children are not looked after. Look at the 'southwark judgement' (Google it) which from memory deals will similar fudging by a LA.

Poppie68

What are the parents doing to support their children?

cheekipi_kimbob

I am sure ive read somewhere that you would be entitled to guardianship. Social Services will pass the buck every time, they will ignore you when it comes to money.


Please don't sign anything without some other professional looking at this first, they are not honest people.


The Family rights group help people who are involved with social services. You will learn a lot on their website.


I wish you all the very best, your doing a very difficult job there, you need a medal for what you have done.


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