Niece in foster care contacted me on Facebook...

[SweetbutAPsycho]

My 13 year old niece is in foster care and has been for the past 2 years. I went for kinship case but was not approved due to my own mental health. I have maintained regular post box contact since.
I just noticed earlier that she had sent me a message on Facebook over a week ago saying hello and asking that I don't tell anyone she is in touch. I dont know what to do! Should I reply or inform social work?

I'm scared if I contact her on Facebook they will find out and stop keeping me in the loop. Although I don't want her to think I don't care and feel rejected.

You should reply and explain that you love her very much but you must only speak with her in the right way.

Then inform the social worker

I would message back thanking her for getting in touch, tell her how much you love her and wish to be in contact via socials and explain the reason why and then inform social services

Could you request more contact? Your niece clearly wants contact with you. I would reply as above and then contact the social worker and foster carer and explain that you would like more contact. Any reason why you can’t speak on the phone once a month and/or meet up every 6 month or on her birthday and at Xmas?
If the view was for her to be adopted then I would understand why they would cut off family but if she is to spend the rest of her teens in foster care, she needs to know her family care for her.