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Fostering and special guardianship order

5 replies

Vickidicko · 26/02/2016 18:37

Hi need advice please briefly took a child in that was at risk social services contacted asked us to keep the child as was 2weeks before Christmas.there is now a protection order on said child and still with ourselves we have been asked to apply for special guardianship order but as do not know about fostering don't even know what we're entitled to as social services say take months to sort finances out which is putting strain on our finances as child had only clothes they were in and provided Christmas also please need advice

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SuburbanRhonda · 26/02/2016 18:43

Social services should be able to organise regular payments for you until the SGO is in place. Do you have a court date yet? If not, ask your SW what can be done to move things along more quickly.

Speak to your SW and tell them you're struggling financially. You shouldn't have to be out of pocket.

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Vickidicko · 26/02/2016 18:48

No not got a court date yet They said we should do it privately and they will pay the fees but this doesn't feel right.people say that we are technically fostering and this order will mean we are solely responsible for child

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SuburbanRhonda · 26/02/2016 21:46

Sounds like you need some proper legal advice.

Make an appointment to see an advisor at the CAB and have a look at the advice on the Coram Children's Legal Centre here. They have free advice lines.

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SeratoninIsMyFriend · 26/02/2016 21:55

An SGO does mean you'd get a financial package for a while, but no social work support. They should assess whether you and the childcare likely to be able to cope with any emotional difficulties the child may have in future, physical needs of the child, impact on your existing family and how any contact with birth family might be managed. You can ask to be considered to be assessed as a foster carer I think, if you feel it would be better to keep the social work support for you and the child. They should be giving you more information!