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Fostering

Here are some suggested organisations that offer expert advice on fostering.

Original poster

Respite or full-time?

5 replies

bottersnike · 23/03/2011 12:57

We are hoping to go to panel in May for approval, and were originally planning to foster full-time. Now, however, our sw has suggested we consider starting with respite placements, as she is concerned that we may not get a full-time placement immediately.
This has thrown us slightly, as we had planned for me to stop working in order to foster full-time (in addition to helping dh with his business, so finances would be OK). I don't think I will be able to work full-time, and offer respite care at the weekends, if that is what it would be. I'm knackered as it is!!
Any suggestions? Why has our sw suddenly mentioned this now, 6 weeks before panel?

OP posts:
maypole1 · 23/03/2011 15:48

um to be honest if your thinking of a full time place ment i dont see the issue when they have identified a child for you then you simply hand in your notice at work you only have to work 4 weeks notice and they would just hand a long term placemnt over to you any way it would be a gradual process , even with respite it may not be constant.

is this your sw taking a couple to pannel its not just scary for fc it can be for sw as well.

i am a bit puzzled by this as well

chocaholic2011 · 23/03/2011 15:49

Hi

I planned to give up work to foster, but we waited 4 months for our first placement. Luckily work kept me on until we got our placement. The respite placements we were offered while we waited were a 10 day holiday placements while carers were on hols. Another for 1 weekend a month. So they can vary.

Now we do have our first newborn placement and loving my new role!

Good luck at panel x

Original poster
bottersnike · 23/03/2011 16:41

That's what's confused us a bit, our sw originally said that they were desperate for carers, and their reports said carers were being matched the day of panel.
Now she seems to have backtracked and keep saying that placements are not guaranteed. Of course they're not, but I got the impression that they were more or less constant!
Ah well, she's coming back to see us next week so I will quiz her further. Maybe she is just nervous, she's human after all :)

OP posts:
cuttsy · 04/04/2011 23:52

We have just been told that our children need to go for 6 weeks respite next week. This is prior to panel. Our own 4 are devastated as much as the foster 3. Is this normal?

fishtankneedscleaning · 05/04/2011 00:12

Cuttsy. I dont understand your post. Do you have 3 foster children but have not yet been approved as foster carers by panel?

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