Advice regarding Fostering/ SGO

[Wyntersdiary]

Hey all,

it looks like my family member might be going into care soon and I've been asked by the family to care for them.

The child wont get dressed/shower/go to school stays up all night etc. They are teenage and so obviously I wont be able to just put them in the bath so how will them being placed with me help in so far as what will I be expected to do if they still don't go to school?

I want to help but at the same time I don't feel ill be able to help change how this child is, He is very smart and very sweet but what do the social services expect me to do for him? I cant make him get dressed/showered /leave his bedroom can I?

Its all a bit too much to be honest and I have said that even though I would be okay with fostering him at the same time I don't see what they expect me to be able to change about those behaviours.

thank you as well to anyone who can help especially if you are a social worker who has experience in this sort of stuff

Why is he coming into care? Is it due to his behaviour and parents not being able to cope, or is it due to their parenting and home environment? Because if he’s coming from a poor situation his behaviours might improve anyway.

I am a retired SW. If he is coming to you as his parents cannot manage him then I would expect the SW to be clear with the lad what the expectations around his behaviour are. I would also expect them to work with you to put together some house rules he must abide by. If he is coming to you because of other issues with his parents then that may be more tricky as there is likely to be a level of emotional distress which manifests in his behaviours. If you feel you cannot manage him please be honest and he will be placed with either experienced foster carers or in a residential unit.