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Fostering

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Original poster

What happens at 16 to child in foster care

10 replies

rs090369 · 22/08/2018 17:12

If a child is living with a foster placement, what are their legal rights when they turn 16? Can they walk out? The solicitor is evasive and unhelpful so would appreciate any facts regarding the law.

OP posts:
Leobynature · 22/08/2018 19:17

If the yp was placed on a care order they will remain under the care of the local authority until they are 18 years old. They will also remain under the leaving care team until they are 21 or 25 if in education. After 18 they will not have a social worker but a leaving care advisor. They are able to make contact with their birth family after 18 abc live independently.

SSliars · 22/08/2018 20:35

He is in "care" under an interim care order imposed when 15 and is due in a couple of weeks to turn 16. He is excited at becoming 16 as he thinks he can walk out and go back to family.

Leobynature · 22/08/2018 20:55

He can’t! The law doesn’t change because he is 16. If he returns to his birth family he will be reported as a missing vulnerable child and returned to the care of the LA

NynaeveSedai · 23/08/2018 21:02

'SSliars' are you the OP? Your username makes me wonder about your motivations Hmm

If the DC is on an interim care order the local authority will make every effort to recover them into foster care if possible, whether 15, 16 or 17 but in reality they may end up going home even on a full care order. It happens fairly often.

SSliars · 23/08/2018 21:54

Yes I am the OP. Forgive my cynicism it comes from experience. Just a few by way of illustration, too many to post eg Me"can I have financial assistance?" SW"No, we don't do that". Shes lying, I know about section 17. Me"I'm giving supplements as he won't eat much veg". SW"mother would rather give tablets than a balanced diet". Me"Its really hard to live on benefits" SW"mother cannot meet childs needs".
Everything you say is corrupted, distorted and used to attack the parent. SW are trained to allow their prejudices, personal beliefs, values and attitudes to shape their perception.

NynaeveSedai · 23/08/2018 22:00

I see.
I'm bowing out now as I don't care to be maligned and I don't want to give advice in bad faith - you shouldn't have represented yourself as a foster carer if you are a parent with ongoing care proceedings.

Melliegrantfirstlady · 23/08/2018 22:04

How long has your son been away?

It’s highly unlikely your son was taken due to nutritional reasons. At 15 kids are capable of getting their hands on food - as long as it’s in the home of course

Melliegrantfirstlady · 23/08/2018 22:05

They can give financial assistance but they don’t have to.

Usually £10 here and there for gas etc and more likely if there’s a baby or young children

Petalflowers · 23/08/2018 22:10

after foster care

Some teens (16-21) go into Supported Lodgings. Ie. Lives in homes and are guided on budgets, cooking etc to make them ready for living independently.

Namechangeforthiscancershit · 23/08/2018 22:12

As far as I understand it, the financial assistance is to deal with specific short term problems and very small amounts. If money has been spent on supplements (which are so expensive) rather than on food then it’s not really distorting things to say that the child’s needs haven’t been met, and it doesn’t seem much like a case for financial assistance either

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