Have been approved :-))))))))))))))))))

[Juey1]

Can't believe it- so pleased and my birthday as well- best birthday present ever :-)))))))))))))))) xx

Well done you and happy birthday:-)

Thank you :-) x

Congratulations :) Have a big slice of cake on me. When will you be able to start?

Congrats on this special day... phew.. now the hard work will really start - how many and what age range have you been approved for??

and once my LO's are in bed, I'll have a to celebrate your birthday and then another to celebrate being approved... welcome to the emotional world of fostering!!

Congratulations! I am so pleased for you1 I would love to join in a but had better not! Many happy returns and many happy fostering experiences! xx

Thank you- I had prob to may yesterday lol. Can't wait to start :-). I live in Orkney and here once it goes to panel it is then sent for the final tick which can take up to 2 weeks. Then we could get children staright away. We have been approved for up to 2 siblings- emergency/respite/short-term and longterm!!! Don't really want respite as I think it would be unsettling for my 2 kids but they put it in as part of a long term package where they children will come and stay prior to being placed with us longer. x

My first placement was an adorable 4 month old for respite and my children wept buckets when she left but they quickly had someone else to think about!

I personally dont really like to do respite as it is a different type of fostering but I do whatever is required and I really love emergency/short term fostering. The longest we have had is a wee boy who has been with us for over a year now.

Good luck and let us know when you get a placement. x

Mumsiepie, what do you mean when you say a different type of fostering?
I'm waiting to be approved for respite and emergency as the commitment of up to 2 years scares me at the moment.
Would love to hear your experiences.

Oh and well done Juey1 !
Fab news

Well respite is mostly when other foster carers are away on holiday but are unable to take the child due to legal reason (which happens a lot ) our first placement was respite the Childs carer broke her leg, and when she retired from fostering the fc came to stay with us as she new us already.

Some times some carers get children who our out of their age range and need support which can be respite.

Yes, what I meant was the child is just with you for a short time and you try to keep the routine for the child that his/her foster carer has begun. They usually come in all clean and with lovely clothes.

It is so different to a little one coming in starving, scared, lice ridden and you can begin to try to reverse the damage that has been done, usually from serious neglect. I love that!

I think the length of time can creep up on you as initially you are maybe told there will be a review in 3 months and then again etc I dont think (but people will correct me) you usually start out knowing how long you will have the child for unless it is a planned long term placement. xx

usually -dont- start knowing how long you will have the child for

Congrats! :-)

Thanks Mumsiepie, I can see what you mean now. Probably not as satisfying if they are already settled in another foster carers home.
My social worker seems to think I'll do more emergency palcements, so I can hopefully make a difference to them.