SGO

[8uttercream]

can anyone advise me on the financial implications of taking my foster children on permanently under a SGO, will they match my fostering allowance until they are 18?

If they match it to start with is it re-examined over time.

I really couldn't look after them without the allowance as their needs are so great i would be unable to work outside the home

tia

[Gymbob]

certainly in my LA I would lose out, and by quite a lot. it's not a favoured route by many carers I know

[princesspeppa]

I think you will find, you won't get your foster allowance, but you will still get the children's allowance . Having said that, it is reviewed every 2 years. You will definitely loose out financially.

[JacobMalloy02]

I agree, you are likely to lose financially, but may gain in terms of your relationship with the young person and the messages about how they are perceived.

I am minded with both SGO and adoption that foster carers come into the profession to foster.

Many LA's are pressuring carers to go down the SGO route because it is cheaper for them and not necessarily in the best interest of the child.

Think carefully about if you want to make this decision before committing. this is not just financially based but also support and training you will receive once an SGO is in place. You will be sharing PR with the birth parents - is this the right decision for you and the young person you are caring for?

Regardless of your decision, please ensure what ever is promised is clearly placed in writing and agreed at a high level that just the SW.

Hope that helps.

[8uttercream]

thank you for the advice, i really don't think it is for us, even though i hate the interference from the social workers and an SGO would make that better, i just couldn't cope without the meagre LA funds i get now, the kids drain every penny from my purse now!

[tanya1312]

You lose the foster allowance (your wages) but keep the child's foster money for first two years then it becomes means tested. You can claim child benefit/child tax credits and csa money, income support. There is a big difference in money xx

[fannyfanakapan]

An SGO does have benefits - you get less interference and in our LA, you dont have to constantly update your training.

But the money is a biggie - also the support for the child. You would need to consider things like respite care (would they provide it?) therapy help when LO becomes a teen, should they need it.

As others have said, if you go for an SGO, have the finance package agreed in writing, including the length of time they will commit to that level and what happens after - and preferably included in any court papers, so that the LA cannot go back on what they said.

[happylou22]

we were asked and we are avoiding, avoiding, avoiding.

It feels horrible to say no because we love our FC as much as we'd love our own but we know the complexities that past trauma has caused. If life is challenging now, what will it be like in 3, 5, 7 years. I work part time (my partner ft) and would not be able to receive the £ that we currently recieve in 2 years as we earn too much. For us it's not about the money at all, we see it as a way of making up for lost time for our FC. She get's amazing experiences. But, if in 3 years I feel the need to stop working due to her needs I would then be stuffed. I work for my sanity but it is a luxury really. more than that, I want the support of my IFA and SSW, Camhs etc.

If we were really looking at this, we would be adopting her, no question. they were created for kinship carers and, in my humble opinion, they do not sit right with foster carers. I would like to see a decent permanence strategy with proper delegated authority for those of us who are long term carers - having to call up for a one night brownie or scout camp ten million times a year drives me potty.