No family to interview or work colleagues

[Anguillagirl]

Hi there,

Is it worth applying to become a foster carer? I've read that SW will interview family and work colleagues as process of application.

However, I have no contact with my family and nor does my husband. And we have always been self-employed (writing, property flipping etc). I'm not sure who a SW would get references from other than friends/neighbours for a character reference.

We have a lot of experience with the issues surrounding children in foster care, having looked after my niece on and off as a teen who was in care, having a gay son with mental health issues and having dealt with all sorts of life issues successfully plus in my case having experience of neglect/physical abuse in my own childhood.

Not sure however one can overcome this family/colleagues reference issue - or can one? There is no particular reason that we're not in touch with our family - more that it is common when one has a difficult childhood that siblings often don't get on (my father is dead, my mother has severe dementia and lives abroad) and my husband just doesn't really get on with his brother.

Can anyone with experience shed any light on this? Many thanks!

Hi, You could suggest a previous teacher who you knew via your son and friends/neighbours will be fine as long as they know both of you.

For employment refs, SS suggest your accountant or perhaps a solicitor if you regularly use the same one and know them fairly well.

Could your niece be a family referee for you?

Thanks MrsBobDylan,
It's a tricky one as have used different solicitors for conveyancing so wouldn't say I have a relationship with them. Teacher through son might be an option. Sadly my niece passed away.

Hi, Were currently going through the process and were asked to provide 3 referees who were not family related - (I dont speak to my family either) One ref was a friend who knew both of us, One ref has known me since we were maybe 12 and my husband since we met and the final was my husbands boss who doesnt know me at all (Obv I understand you cant have a work one) but we had a third friend on stand by who was more than willing to be a ref even though she only really knew me. I was off work long term sick when I started the process and told my SW I didnt want my work place to know anything about what I was doing now (Due to confidential information getting back to a family member who works there but I don't have contact with) and they were happy with the people we put forward for refs! Just explain the situation and ask if friends anr others would be acceptable!

Good Luck!

Thanks MJ1995 - that's very reassuring! Good luck with your fostering journey.