Pre hearing

[fosteringNameChange]

Hi NC for this for privacy reasons....

DFS(7) is our first FC so please excuse if this is a daft question!

We received a letter regarding a pre hearing date for DFS and he has been invited to attend.

We live in town A, he still goes to school in town B and the pre hearing is in town C. Town B & C are both in different directions from town A so it is likely DFS will need to be absent from school for the pre hearing.

How likely is it the school will give an authorised absence for this?

[PotteringAlonggotkickedoutandhadtoreregister]

They will authorise that.

[fosteringNameChange]

@PotteringAlonggotkickedoutandhadtoreregister thank you

[Capdontrecycle]

100% they will

I can’t think of a more valid reason tbh

[Capdontrecycle]

Is this your first child (I know your first fc but I’m wondering whether any biological or adopted)

[fosteringNameChange]

@Capdontrecycle I'm not sure how to properly answer that as yes I'm also a birth parent but we lost our DD so schools etc are brand new territory for us.

[Capdontrecycle]

Ok so

you need to be much more sure of yourself. Obviously this is a valid reason and if for some utterly unfathomable reason - it was unauthorised, you would shrug it off or fight it but it wouldn’t change a damn thing about your plans

did you talk to your SW about the school question? They would have immediately told you the same

[AmyandPhilipfan]

What is a pre hearing? I've been fostering for several years but have had the same 2 children the whole time so don't know everything that goes on. Is it a court case to decide child's future? Whether to go back to parents or whatever? If so, do you believe it is in the best interests of your child to attend that? My fc were never invited to court hearings which I'm glad about as I wouldn't have wanted them to attend. I also didn't use to take them to review meetings etc as I didn't think it was a very 'normal' situation for them to be put in. One IRO once insisted and raised something that really confused the child so I felt I was more justified saying no after that.