Questions for first meeting with foster carer

[estornudar]

So we have our first meeting with little one's foster carer next week. What sort of questions did you ask when you did this? Is there anything you didn't ask that you wish you had with hindsight?

Is this a decision making meeting or a just prior to intros meeting?

I'd ask about

• how they manage any medical issues
• character
• behaviour (especially tantrums, violence), how frequent, how long to calm down
• sleep
• activity level
• 'quirks'
• any SN concerns (even if not officially flagged up)
• interests
• interaction with other children
• food/meals - fussiness, type of foods eaten, range

So you get a 'feel' of what parenting the child might be like and whether it would work for you.

If you have already been to panel, then

• routine
• foods
• washing powder
• what will /won't be coming with the DC
• triggers
• ways to calm them
• favourite books & toys

I think listening to them talk about the LO and the vibe you get tells you a lot. Ours clearly loved our now son and it was wonderful to listen to her enthusiasm for him.

We have our initial foster carer meeting next week too. It’s only 30mins so very short - I was going to focus on overall characters, main challenges and personalities. I’m pretty nervous as I know they’ll be judging me and SW will ask them their opinion on us (hopefully kindly!)

I’m also curious about the initial foster carer meeting. Thanks for the guidance with the questions.

How long did it take between learning about the child from their social worker/ family finder to meeting up with the foster carer?

For me:

Saw children on Linkmaker and indicated we liked them - August
Documents shared - September
Meeting with social worker - October
Meeting with foster carers - Dec
Meeting with medical lead - early Jan

I’m hoping for April arrival if all goes smoothly, but no idea. Grindingly slow.

HI there;
I typed a list of questions and printed them off to leave with the FC, makes it easier for them to take some time and answer, also means you're not desperately trying to remember everything that's said in the meeting.
I still have it somewhere, I broke it down into sections like feeding, sleeping, bathing, and then asked about likes and dislikes in each one and also makes of products etc.