Facebook - what would you do?

[Machakos]

I've just had a friend request from a previous foster child on Facebook. They are old enough to have a Facebook account, but are under 16. They returned home after being placed with us. I don't usually accept friend requests from children (am a teacher), but it seems harsh to ignore this reaching out. What would you do?

I know a foster carer who has current and previous foster children (teenagers, young adults) as friends on her Facebook page but often wondered if that was good idea.

However saying that, depending on the child, the reason they were placed with you and any reasons why they might be getting in touch again I think I'd maybe run it past their social worker and see what they say. At least that way it's all above board.

Are there any rules on it? I know there are rules on social media etc when you have a foster child but what are the rules on keeping contact after the end of the placement?

Could you set up a separate account just for your foster children?

I now have three facebook accounts! One "real one" for friends and family, one very limited one for keeping in touch with adopters, and one almost blank one for birth parents of foster children who've returned home that I've formed a bond with.

It's confusing at first but now I rarely look at the two limited accounts.