Bloody social services

[mydogishot]

Need to vent.

Just had a phone call from a social worker telling me that a letter is in the post about me fostering my children's half siblings. They've refused.
Been through lots of meetings over the past 9 months, visits to my house, visits with the kids etc.

Background:
I left my ex with our kids ten years ago. He met and married new partner 3 years later. She already had a ds and they had a ds together.
He viewed both as his and my kids did the same.
Ex died a year ago. His wife had had mental issues for many years and the kids were removed due to safety issues and put in long term foster care.
My kids were devastated. Not only lost their dad but also can only see siblings every six weeks.
My kids are grown. One at uni and one in armed services.
I own a five bedroom house and would happily welcome them here and so would their mother.

According to the phone call, a new member of the team "thinks it's weird" that I've offered to have them.
I just wanted them to have the same as their siblings.
It's shit.

[LuluBellaBlue]

That’s awful I’m so sorry, I also want to say what an amazing person you sound
Can you appeal?

[Peoplemaynoticeus]

I have no advice I'm afraid, but wanted to say how fantastic and lovely you sound

[Bunnyhop1502]

They thinks it’s weird? What an inappropriate thing for them to say. Surely they should be pleased a loving and secure home is being offered to children who’ve had a really crap few years. I’d appeal it and put in a complaint.

[Karigan198]

There has to be an appeal system.

[mydogishot]

Thank you
I don't think it's anything amazing though. I have the space, time, money and energy for them but some bloody social worker thinks they should stay in a foster home.

[NynaeveSedai]

How strange! In my local authority we would be biting your hand off!

Have you had a full special guardianship assessment or just an initial viability assessment? Do the local authority have care orders for the children?

[endofthelinefinally]

If I were you I would contact my MP. They seem to be able to sort things out when all else fails.

[BastardGoDarkly]

mydog That's fucking madness!?

Can you appeal?

[Beaverhausen]

Can you appeal OP? Maybe get a solicitor involved as that seem ridiculous.

[Bunnyhop1502]

Wow they must have a massive budget for that to have two children unnecessarily in funded care

Definitely appeal it. I worked in social care for years and they get so busy sometimes you need to do something to make them stop and properly look into your case. Maybe it will go up to the group manager if you complain.

[TokyoSushi]

It sounds like the decision to refuse is what's weird, hopefully it'll sort out for you on appeal

[sakura06]

That's terrible. Please appeal. You sound amazing.

[mydogishot]

I think the sw who phoned me this morning doesn't agree with them.
Phoning at 7:30am is a bit weird, yes?
I will appeal but I'm just so disheartened.
I've had full special guardian approval but, apparently not for them.

[Bezm]

I would wait until you have the full facts, i.e. What reasons do SWs give in the letter that they cannot approve you. Then you can decide what the next course of action is.
I appreciate that your own DCs don't see the children as much as they'd like, but this is not about you or your children. sWs have to do what they believe is best for them. There is a whole system set up to support the fostering or adoption of children. It's not just decided in a whim or by one person. As upsetting as the decision may be, you may just have to accept it.

[NynaeveSedai]

The special guardianship assessment would be for those specific children. It's not the same as a fostering assessment.

Do the local authority have care orders for the children? This is important. If they have been through care proceedings already you may have to seek legal advice, but if they haven't yet concluded then you can challenge.

[Bellabutterfly2016]

@mydogishot
You sound like a wonderful person very kind and extremely generous- god knows why they are being so awkward, let's hope this gets resolved 💐

[mydogishot]

@NynaeveSedai @Bezm

They have got care orders.
The kids have had FIVE foster homes in the last 6 months. How is that stable?

[mydogishot]

Don't think there is much point in me contacting my MP.

It's Boris....

[hidinginthenightgarden]

Social services cannot afford to turn you down because they think its weird! Either they aren't telling the truth or someone has an issue somewhere.

[Clairetree1]

There will be reasons they have turned you down. Wait until you get the letter and see if it tells you why. I've seen many unsuitable adults apply to take on children they have some connection to. It might not be obvious to you why you are unsuitable, but if you have been quickly dismissed after a fairly cursory investigation, the social services must feel it is a fairly clear cut decision

[coralush]

That's awful. You sound such a lovely lady. Please appeal.

[NataliaOsipova]

To be honest, your MP being a big name makes it more likely you get something to happen. He most likely won't deal with it personally; they all have assistants and the like. But I'd definitely go down that route.

[mydogishot]

@hidinginthenightgarden

I know! Can't think of what it is though.
I am a generally good person (I hope!), enhanced dbs, references from everyone.
No criminal record.
I'm really quite dull!

The only thing in my past is my mum took her own life when I was 12.
Not been an issue in my life really.
I've had counselling and I don't even think about her now.
Ss did fixate on it for some reason.
Her issues caused that. Not mine.

[chickenowner]

Please appeal.

Having one member of the team think it 'weird' is not a reason to be turned down. It is also extremely unprofessional of them.

[NynaeveSedai]

Can you afford legal advice?
Did you know about the care proceedings at the time?
Were you assessed in any way while they were ongoing?