Weekends

[whatdoyouthinkaboutitthen]

I've a sibling group of four foster children so it's a busy household.

Their SW is very disorganised and doesn't make contact, is always very late to meetings or cancels home visits without always telling me.

She's now saying that she's so busy that she's going to do home visits at weekends.

Do I have to go along with this?

It's the only time my husband is off and we tend to do things as a family.

That doesn't sound right, I am sceptical her managers would allow this as there obviously isn't the managerial support cover at the weekends. Unless they have gone over to 7 day working in your area?

Without sounding harsh, it's obvious that she leaves everything to the last minute, so I think she needs to do weekend visits so that the children are seen within the deadline.

I'm going to say no.

She’s probably struggling to fit all her statutory visits in within timescales, due to having too many cases and constant firefighting. probably why everything appears disorganised.

can you maybe suggest she do it as a one-off if she’s struggling but explain why it can’t be a regular arrangement?

when she makes an appointment with you eg 1pm make it clear that you have to leave for an appointment at eg 2.30 (send an email so that there is a permanent record). If she hasnt arrived by 1.30 call and tell her that there wont be time for supervision as you have a pre-arranged appointment that she was aware of. As for the weekend thing well maybe as a one off but make it clear you are having to cancel something thatthe children were due to do. Copy in her boss. In my experience you have to manage the sw. They will soon learn you arent to be messed about and will turn their unreasonable requests on to other foster carers who will (unfortunately) put up with it.