Heroin addict cousin and his babies WWYD

[MiguelSanchez]

Hi, have namechanged.

I recently found that a cousin of mine is engaged to a woman and has had two children with her, in quick succession of each other. I was not aware of this as we lost touch years ago.
I don't have any contact with him as he is a heroin addict, and has lost most of his life to this addiction.
Unfortunately, his DP has been unable to stop the heroin during her pregnancies. As a consequence, both children were born addicted. The DCs were removed from them at birth and are now in foster care.

Since discovering this, I have been wondering if there would be a possibility for me and DH to foster the children?
DH and I are in a position to do so and I think it would be of value for them to have strong links with their biological family.

DH has a good career and I work in the caring profession. We have one birth DC. Fostering is something we have been considering for some time.

Does anyone have any advice for me? Should I phone the local council for an informal chat?

Do you know which council the children are under? Phone them and ask to speak to their SW. How old are the children? That will affect whether they will be looking to go into long term FC or adopted. Eitehr way family should be priority but if you are out of touch you may not have been thought of.

Another option would be to phone your local fostering services at the council and they may help you contact the relevent SS and get assessed.

They may be keener on a Special Guardianship order (look into it in case they mention it) my LA are pushing these as its more 'normal' for the children with less SS input and they only pay a minimal allowance in the short term. There is still SW back up for any support you may need though.