After researching to the nth degree all aspects of becoming a foster carer, my latest research (spurred by another poster about allegations made) on the prevalence of allegations and the devastating impact they have on foster carers has made us feel that fostering is probably not for us.
I've not given up completely on the idea, but the disgrace outlined in this report by the fostering network of sw dept providing no support, Section 42s being made leading to potential criminal records,
- and at the very least spending hours at police stations - with no context of previous allegations/threats to make allegations by foster child being taken into account. Plus a general culture in the SW profession of protecting their own backs and just dumping the foster carer to deal with it on their own - well, it's highly off-putting.
As one vindicated accused says in the report: if people actually knew how common allegations were and the horrific impact they have on a family (because the child/teen is always believed and in the meantime the investigation - which can take months, and up to a year and half in one of the cases described - will lead to your foster kids and possibly your own kids being removed and no pay being given during the investigation leading often to financial distress and marriage breakdown) they would never enter foster caring.
www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/sites/default/files/content/allegationsreport-understandingtheimpactofallegationsmadeagainstfostercarersinwales.pdf
I'd be interested in current foster carer's views. I'm astounded by this report. The system needs to be overhauled. I've never come across a profession that is so wholly unprotected and exploitative as foster caring. What a depressing read.