Bugger - change of work hours jeopardising foster application

[lechatnoir]

Just when I felt we were in the right place as a family to foster, my working days/hours have been changed and I don't know whether to notify the LA now or continue with our application - we've had home visit, CRB checks & references done. My husband & I both work PT & are applying for respite care weekends & holidays but now I'm having to work Thursday, Friday & Saturday 3 out of of 4 Weeks a month which means a regular weekend arrangement may not be possible (although I am obviously around other days).

I'll be totally gutted if they say it's no longer possible but unfortunately I can't afford to stop working or change jobs and don't want to waste their time. What should I do? Call them & hope they still progress the application or wait until we meet the SW? Is it even going to be possible respite caring with my awkward working arrangements?
LCN

You could still do respite one weekend a month, and you say you are also available on other days. Are you applying to be a respite carers for children who are already fostered to give carers a break, or taking children directly from their families to give parents a break?

Both / either / not sure!!! We want to foster and know full time isn't an option as we need current salaries and assumed it would be a regular short or longer term arrangement offering parents or FC a break but have said we're very open to suggestion and happy to do whatever they think would work given our time available. The SW we met said they have most demand for regular weekend FC but it could be 1 day a month, a week in the holidays or something else entirely!

Not all LAs have schemes where children are given respite foster care to give their birthparents a break, so you will need to find out if that is available. Otherwise it is offering respite to give carers a break, and this can be especially useful for a child with a disability, or a difficult child, so that the carers can re-charge their batteries. I am sure you could come to some amicable arrangement - foster carers often need respite in the school holidays. Talk to your LA again and find out what respite schemes they have on offer.

Thanks NanaNina will do.