childminding and fostering...please help!

[leonifay]

ok, my parents were foster carrers for 20+ years, and its something that i always wanted to do. i was recently approached by my parents social worker. my immediate answer was yes, but now i've had time to think about it i'm starting to stress about the logistics. i'm a childminder, so is it possible to juggle mindees and foster childrens visits with parents.

i'm starting to realise i'm no making a whole lot of sence, so if you've got this far, any advice would be gratefully recieved
thankyou

watching with interest! we have wanted to foster for a long time but are waiting till dd is older but am also a childminder so was wondering if it was allowed etc with ofsted and what the parents would say?

To my knowledge you can't be a Childminder and Foster parent. Some legal issue I think. Ask the social worker, they may know more.

We too want to foster, but as we have a room same sex siblings could use, I would look to have a long term placement, and dial down the fostering.

Can you ask the social worker who approached you, if there ore other childmiers who foster locally, she may be able to put you in touch with them for advice.

the social worker doesnt work in my area, my parents lie i bristol, i live in west midlands, its all very long and complicated so i wont bore you with details. the social worker knew i am a childminder, and didnt seem to know of any reason why i couldnt, nannynick, but i will have to look further in to that. i just want to know of other peoples expieariences.

Don't know whereabouts in the West Mids you are but I am from Staffordshire. When I went to the intial meeting for prospective childminders there was a lady there who fostered so I presume it is possible

HTH

In Yorkshire you cannot foster and childmind.

I was told this by a foster mum who stopped cm'ing so she could foster.

I know a CM that fosters, at the same time.

This is something that ive always wanted to do too.

I know 2 childminders who foster.

Having done some research, it seems to vary from LA to LA. Some won't consider it, while others will discuss with you how you propose to do both.
Risk assessments will be a big thing - risk to the fostered child and risk they are to minded children.
Attending case conferences/meetings - how would you attend a weekday daytime meeting?
Probably best to start initial enquiries and see what happens.

thankyou nanny nick, i've decided to just go for it, and see what happands as it comes!

Good luck leonifay I'm an approved foster carer (haven't had any kids yet!) and a childminder. I've just been very clear with parents that if I get a placement that makes CMing difficult I would have to give them notice, and I've found they've all been very understanding. Still waiting to find out if the two actually work well together tho!

Good luck leonifay I'm an approved foster carer (haven't had any kids yet!) and a childminder. I've just been very clear with parents that if I get a placement that makes CMing difficult I would have to give them notice, and I've found they've all been very understanding. Still waiting to find out if the two actually work well together tho!

I fostered teenagers which was working well with childminding until I became so busy in the childminding that I found I couldn't give the emotional support to foster kids. They frequently suddenly demanded attention when I was trying to get out for a school run with a tantruming 2 year old and 2 others in tow. Or other such times. I guess they were just checking that they were as important as the little children who I was constantly having to be with. It all came to a head with one girl desperately needing to chat because she was suicidal and I couldn't fit her in my schedule for 2 hours. I decided this wasn't fair on her and chose to give up fostering after her.
It did work well when I was quiet.