Need help and social care refusing

[WorriedFosterCarer]

Don’t know what I’m hoping to achieve but I’m desperate and hoping some more experienced foster carers can advise.

We have teen foster child here with us at the moment. Recently his behaviour has become uncontrollable.

This week alone he has escaped from
the home in the middle of the night and been attested trying to break into someone else’s property, stole a garage key from my home and gave it to a friend to allow them to sleep in our garage unbeknown to us, been arrested for carrying a blade in public, threatened me, threatened my child, smashed his bedroom to pieces so he no longer has a bed.

This all came to a head on Thursday when he threatened my young child. We had to remove my child from the home and take her to her grandparents for safety. I called EDT that evening and stated child needs removing from our home as my child is not safe.

I was told no ability to remove over night but I would be called in the morning to arrange. My child had to stay away from her home and the response was simply “well she is safe where she is”.

Friday morning came and no phone call. Rang child’s social worker 6 times during the day and no answer. Rang the office and promised a call back from child’s social worker. She eventually called back at 4.50pm and said no available foster carers so we will discuss on Monday! I said not good enough, my child can’t be away from her home for days on end and that her needs and safety are being ignored and from her point of view her parents are prioritising the child that has threatened her and sent her away!

Social worker said she would call back. But no call back and then at 5pm she’s off duty. Called EDT again, they say nothing they can do. I became very upset and said this can’t continue and was rudely told I am a foster carer and I signed up for this so I am expected to give 28 days notice. How can I leave my child elsewhere (in another town) for 28 days!

This is the first time we have ever asked for or needed help and I am horrified at how we are being treated. We have made the decision that as a result of this we will stop fostering altogether whereas previously we just asked for this one child to be moved. Now I understand why my area is desperate for foster carers and always trying to get more. Maybe if they were not treated like this they would be able to keep them!

I’m hoping any experienced foster carers can help and tell me what I do or who I speak to so I can get this resolved and my child back home. I just know we won’t hear a thing until Monday now and even then there will be more excuses. Meanwhile my scared and confused child is forced to stay elsewhere. Missed school yesterday and probably Monday as well as she is in another town and no way to get her there each day when I have foster child to manage who has been temporarily excluded.

[FriedasCarLoad]

No advice, but this is horrifying. I'm sure you're right that this is why there's such a shortage. I'm so sorry you're going through this.

[CoffeeCakeAndALattePlease]

You say you’ve spoken to the child’s SW and EDT…. Have you spoken to your SW? Have they helped?

are you with the LA or with an agency?

obviously the best thing for the foster child is to stay until a managed move can happen. But you absolutely have the right to refuse him back in the house…. but it will be a very unpleasant experience for everyone.

I've been on duty when it’s happened before. Foster carers have said the child is out and if they come back I will refuse to let them in as my family isn’t safe. The LA hold PR (if on a care order) and they have the responsibility to keep them safe and they cannot force you to let them back in.

is it a great way of ending things? No, of course not.
does it happen? Yes it definitely does.

[f0stercarer]

This is why you need to be a member of the union .... nupfc. I know it is no help to the person in question here as you need to be a member before a problem arises but I am sure the poster wont mind helping others who might end up being in the same situation. The reality is that of course the LA have to provide resources. It is likely that over the same weekend other children were taken into care as a result of police intervention and emergency cover would need to be provided. You need to stand up for yourself and if you and your child' safety is not guaranteed then the child needs to be removed. Drive the foster child to the LA social services office for an immediate meeting and they will have to deal with it as a priority. Make sure you document everything that has happened.