Panel

[earkley]

So my panel date has been brought forward for the 2nd time to October from December. I'm excited but terrified........... is this normal?? When did people give up work / apply for universal credit etc
ANY suggestions welcome

You don't normal get to panel unless you get through so if there putting it off it could be one of two reasons

One there worried

Two they can't organise a panel date as yet

As to your third question how long is a piece of string it's hard to know when you're first placement will come it's harder to place with newbies depends how many placements come in if your la maybe sooner that Ifa but I wouldn't rush to give up work x

Why would you apply for UC ? You get paid to foster.

Congrats on having your panel date moved forwards, I imagine this means everything has progressed really well.

Panel is really nerve wracking but then it will be all over and you can get going!

With regards to work it really depends on what type of fostering you are doing, your age ranges, LA or IFA etc. I am with an IFA and it took nearly a year to get our first placement. I didn’t give up my job until we had been matched....

I sit as a Panel advisor. Nerves are normal, the best advice I can give is be yourself! be smart, be prepared and take time to celebrate all your hard work if you are recommended to foster.

Panel being brought forward generally means that you are ready to be presented. This is positive in my view.

Giving up work in a bit trickier to answer as this will depend on your personal circumstances and if the organisation you are joining require you to do so. I would seek some more guidance from your assessor or organisation.

Good Luck

Ooh exciting! Hope it goes well. Ask your social worker if your agency has a welfare rights advisor you can speak to about benefits - (our local council has one, he is brilliant) good luck

Would be lovely if foster carers were paid enough to live on like a pp mentions. Unless you foster young people with extremely complex needs you only get an allowance to (partly) cover the costs of caring for the kids.