As a foster parent to two boys from birth (9yrs) I don't have a say in their education??

[needhelp1]

We are writing to express our concerns regarding our foster son?s education. We have become very confused about where our role is placed, regarding transition to High School. If we are not supposed to be involved in any decision about schools, we cannot understand why were told to look at a variety of schools by Croydon Council (guardian authority). If we are involved, we cannot understand why the decision about placement appears already made and gone to panel without our input being valued. We feel concerned that due to lack of information we and these boys have not been fairly represented. We have found a suitable school that tailors to our foster son's needs specialising in autism but Croydon council has decided to send him to a school that does not benifit his needs whatsoever!

We also feel it is important to mention that the main reason for us moving was to avoid the birth parent. Schooling them back into the area where the birth family could cause future problems is not wise. We feel we have been excluded from all the selection process of finding a suitable school for our foster son and we cannot understand the unilateral decision from the Council to our son to a school based only and solely on geographical reasons. He deserves the best education possible.

We are in desperate need to contact people with some advice/ influence to look at our case and give us strong advice to overrule this cruel decision from the council.
Many Thanks.

[differentID]

Have you spoken to his case workers? Point out that by moving him into this school he will not be able to achieve his full potential and may be placed in a location that could be detrimental to his social and personal development.

[Bellabellabella]

Has his Social Worker been involved?
Is he/she not helping you through this? I hope someone on here can come along and help you soon.

[mary21]

I would contact organisations such as SOSSEN and IPSEA who may have more experiance and legal knowhow and are employed by the council

[mary21]

ment to say not employed by the council

[marriedtoagoodun]

Whta does his PEP say? What has been agreed at LAC review? You do have rights especially after foster child has been with you for on eyear or more. If your social worker is not helpful you have to go up the foodchain - star with her manager.

[LaurieFairyCake]

How on earth has this happened? We were the ones who chose and had to apply to the school online for our foster dd.

You should most certainly have a huge input into the PEP.

This is not the usual way of doing things at all - what does your linkworker say? Has it been discussed at the CLA review?

Do you go to foster carer support group? Is it normal for the area in which you live?

[kingprawntikka]

That sounds very unfair, surely yoo know the children best. You might get more advice if you post this in the fostering section as well.

[needhelp1]

Many thanks for all of your input. I will be following up leads asap. Hopefully this will help us.