Can I ask for advice please?! (Sorry v. long)

[badgerhead]

I am a long term lurker on this board as an interested outsider, however have this evening been asked to consider fostering one of my childminded children. As a childminder I have looked this child since April for 30 hours per week, paid for by SS as he is subject to a CPO and placed with his Grandma who is widowed & working. The plan was originally that he would be able to return to mum, but this is no longer going to be possible, Grandma can not manage long term with his care & the difficult decision has been made to 'release' (not sure if this is the right term) him for adoption. My family & I have been asked if we would consider a 'short term temporary fostering' of him until he goes to his new family.

I can understand their reasons for asking, as he loves attending my setting and has flourished whilst in my care for the last few months. However until this week when he was cutting down his hours not increasing them! (I have already filled the other hours with a sibling of one of my other children) The request is supported fully by our 2 dd's (who are 20 & 16) and with reservations by dh. Dh understandably wants to know more details about what is expected of us and what sort of support we are likely to get.

I have been drawing up a list of questions to ask to help us make our final decision (which they want the answer to asap!), this what I have come up with so far, can any of you help with either answers or other questions I need to ask first please.

1. (I have already asked this & it is going to be raised with a senior manager) Because of my childminding registration and the spaces I don't have on two of the days he doesn't come would SS pay for me to employ an assistant for core hours on 2 days so I can still care for the child (Who has just turned 2).
2. Would my 16 year old be able to care for him on the odd occasion at weekends when both my dh & I have prior arrangements that clash (dh exhibits model railways & I have OU tutorials to go to, so for no more than 4 hours)
3. How many meetings would I need to attend & what happens about cover for the childminded children during those meetings as do not want to disrupt their care too much & upset their parents either. 4)Will there still be contact with older siblings (who already live with their dads) and grandma?
4. We are visiting my family in Cheshire over New Year, is there any objection to him coming along (staying in a Premier Inn already booked)
5. Would he need to sleep in a separate room or could he sleep in our bedroom sometimes, as eldest dd would need her room back when down from university.

Anything else?

Just thought of something else!
How much of an assessment of us as a family will they need to do as it is for a one off temporary placement?

It is hard to answer, as it may be different if they are considering you as a child-specific foster carer. But as you aren't actually related, I would think for your own protection you would follow a safer caring plan.

I think you really need a conversation with the social worker. You also need to ask about recompense (as it is probably less than what you would earn as a childminder) and how you would manage all the meetings when you have other children to look after.

It is a wonderful thing you are considering to do. However don't feel pressurised into doing it. If it doesn't work for you and your family and commitments, it isn't the best thing for the child. Good luck finding your answers.

This is my opinion but may be different as it is a one off.

1. possibly as sounds like placing the child with you is the best option.
2. no a 16 year old won't be able to care for a looked after child
3. there would be a few meetings to attend so don't know how you'd manage that
4. contact arrangements are different for every child and are court ordered
5. he would be able to come along but looked after children generally need their own room
6. no he wouldn't be able to sleep in your room.

Good luck with your decision.