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Council says fostering allowance puts us over housing association threshold

63 replies

Malinoismum · 27/04/2026 18:51

Hi everyone, I'll try to keep this brief. Last year we were asked by CSS to apply to foster our DGC ( G13 B12 ). Of course, we said yes and it went through court in December. We decided to wait a year before applying for special guardianship as visiting was not set up with biological parents. We were the only ones who passed assessment, so the alternative would have been a foster home.
We live in a very small 2 bed HA bungalow. We are both disabled and are in 50s so bungalow was ideal when just us. However, with the DGC, plus a dog, it is a nightmare!
The DGD has taken over living room , there's clothes and stuff everywhere, no room fir visitors or sleepovers. No space for anyone, kids are always moaning about it, and it's really affecting everyone's mental health.
We applied for homechoice with council and they say with the foster allowance we are above threshold for HA property and the advise to rent privately. I hate the thought of not having the security of a HA property, and it's really getting me down. I wanted to do the best for these kids but I am failing them 😪 CSS and kids school wrote supporting letters but did not help, and no one seems to want to swap.
I feel so low.

OP posts:
usedtobeaylis · 28/04/2026 09:10

The whole fostering set-up doesn't make sense. I have a relative who was a foster carer and had to simultaneously be available to foster and to be available for full time work within a pretty wide radius as a jobseeker. Fostering was their job (quite often newborns coming straight from hospital) and they had no control over when or how long the children would be with them, but was navigating coming on and off jobseekers constantly. It was so stressful.

There must be some advice available to you somewhere but god knows where.

MrsCarmelaSoprano · 28/04/2026 09:20

DellOpen · 28/04/2026 09:08

That is a very fair point and I agree with you that continuing to lobby is important.

But it doesn't change the fact that councils do often count living rooms as habitable bedrooms when determining whether a family is overcrowded. And if they are not, it's going to make that extra bedroom very difficult to get. Especially if they are now needing a 3 bed bungalow which must be like hens' teeth.

A sofa bed would be a terrible idea but Murphy beds can be proper beds with whatever mattress you choose to put on them. It's not right, but it would be a much more secure option than giving up the 2 bed and moving into private rental for the extra bedroom.

Hopefully there are some advocates or social workers out there who can work some magic

Why would a sofa bed be a bad idea,there are fantastic ones these days?

I agree with contacting your MP.

SurferRona · 28/04/2026 09:28

Often people will say in this circumstance to give the children the largest bedroom and split with bunk beds and a stud wall. It might be tight but I agree you and DH are not suited to a wall bed in the living room. Or can you extend and create another room/bedroom that way? SS should be able to help with accessing funding grants if you are statutorily overcrowded. This is so rough for you OP, but definitely definitely do NOT give up your tenancy to go into private sector.

Council says fostering allowance puts us over housing association threshold

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Hallamule · 28/04/2026 09:30

MrsCarmelaSoprano · 28/04/2026 09:20

Why would a sofa bed be a bad idea,there are fantastic ones these days?

I agree with contacting your MP.

Because the OP and her dh have significant disabilities due to spinal injuries. You can get good sofa beds these days but Ive yet to find one that offers the size and range of orthopedic mattresses that are available for regular beds, or where the sleeping space is at the same height. There is no way they should risk exacerbating their existing injuries.

MyrtlethePurpleTurtle · 28/04/2026 09:31

Viviennemary · 28/04/2026 08:31

I am amazed you are getting fostering allowance when it's your own family. Why don't you just get a private rental.

What a peculiar post!

@OP - you are doing a wonderful thing and I’m sorry you’re being penalised for it

MyrtlethePurpleTurtle · 28/04/2026 09:32

Hallamule · 28/04/2026 08:16

I agree with the suggestions to contact your MP and to keep arguing with the council. Ultimately it's far cheaper for them to house you all suitably than to put the children into care.

Do NOT give up a secure tenancy to enter the private rental sector.

I also see that a few posters are suggesting you and your husband give up your bedroom and move onto a sofa bed in the living room. Given the nature of your injuries I think this is a very bad idea.

💯

JohnofWessex · 28/04/2026 09:42

Always worth making a formal complaint, then the relevant managers will have to justify what has happened and if they dont uphold it you can go to The Ombudsman.

But basically do everything thats been suggested at the same time which will put a lot of pressure on the Council to sort it

duchyorganiclettuce · 28/04/2026 10:00

Malinoismum · 27/04/2026 21:57

No, I broke my neck and DP broke his back ( separate accidents ). But I have worked very hard before this.

I envy your sex life OP

Malinoismum · 28/04/2026 10:01

Thank you so much for your support. I am going to email my mp today. I will let you all know what happens....

BTW these kids have been through so much and are so brave. I just want them to have a great life from now on.

OP posts:
Lemonboost · 28/04/2026 10:36

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This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

Lemonboost · 28/04/2026 10:36

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This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

Malinoismum · 28/04/2026 11:32

duchyorganiclettuce · 28/04/2026 10:00

I envy your sex life OP

Haha what sex life lol

OP posts:
hahabahbag · 28/04/2026 12:20

Your mp is the best person to intervene, they usually are the best at sorting out these sorts of things, if that fails go to the newspapers. You and the children deserve to be adequately housed

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