supported lodgings?

[Singlemum3]

Hi could anyone give me any information on supported lodgings. I've been put forward for this as I want to continue with my part time job but have not been given much information by my LA. I only found out at the end of my fostering skills course that it was treated any differently from straightforward fostering.

Any info on what level of responsibility is required or finances would be much appreciated.

All LAs have different schemes and different procedures so it isn't possible to answer your query. I am a retired social worker and we ran a Supported Lodgings Scheme. We put on training courses and applicants were assessed and references taken up and approved (or not) by a small panel, more or less the same as for fostering. We paid less than fostering rates but still a reasonable rate for the job.

You need to ask your LA exactly what is involved in this scheme. They should have written information. Just a word of warning, sometimes LAs sort of tack this onto the end of the continuum of care (as it were) and use it as a sort of dumping ground for post 16 young people (some of whom can be very difficult) but pay considerably less than the do for fostering.

When you say "I've bee put forward" - it isn't up to the LA to put you forward - the way I see it is that you would (after having full details about the scheme your LA is running) decide whether you wanted to apply or not.

I'm not sure what age range you were considering but they will be teenagers in SL accdt and usually post 16, so if that is an age range you feel comfortable with, this scheme may suit you, but if you were thinking of younger children then it won't suit. I wonder if they have a respite care scheme which might suit you. Again different LAs have different schemes, some have Respite Care (as in giving fostercarers some respite and time to re-charge their batteries) and the respite carer maybe takes a child for a weekend a month or sometimes more regular respite is needed. Some LAs run schemes where children living at home are placed in respite care to give the parents a break for whatever reason.

Don't let the LA "put you forward" for anything. YOU need to know exactly what schemes are available and have full details to decide if this is something that you wish to consider. Social workers are very good at "deciding" what's best for carers! For the past 15 years of my career I managed a Fostering & Adoption Team and I often had to have sharp words with young (usually inexperienced) social workers attempting to ride rough shod over carers. NOT ON!

Hi thanks for your reply. I was aiming at the teenage age group because I feel I can be of some help there and am happy to have 16+ children but was hoping for more of a parental role. I should be having a visit from my social worker in the next couple of weeks and hopefully they will be able to shed a bit more light on this. My concern is that the child will be more of a lodger than a foster child as well as to whether I would be able to actually afford it.