His gf had his dc at 14 can he foster?

[Galeforcewindatmywindow]

Can an adult who got his very under age gf pregnant foster dc way down the line?. The news article is leaving a bitter taste tbh...
Would such a man be suitable?. Surely not?

thing is wasn't there news that her daughter had said neglect and emotional abuse etc happened? I don't think they have a chance no.

Surely they cannot give their existing kids the proper time or attention they need, so how on earth do they think they will do it for adopted/fostered kids (who often come with complex needs)?

Also, a LOT of their money comes from TV work, and I can't see them giving that up.,

Never been fans of theirs, in case you can't tell.

Can I ask why? There's a lot of kids out there living in foster homes at the moment and a shortage of foster carers and I haven't seen anything showing the Radford's to be bad parents. I mean no one's a perfect parent obviously and they'd probably have to stop their TV show or at least not show the foster child but still they also have a massive house and the older kids are starting to fly the nest so they have plenty of space

@Leah5678 because he committed statutory rape.

You don't place children with foster carers who admit, on TV, that they had sex and impregnated a child when they were 18.

Are you sure? My old neighbour had numberous children, biological/adopted/fostered. Not to mention the dogs/cats/birds/fish. The house was disgusting and the smell so bad that when the social workers visited they had meetings on the front wall. I had lots of concerns for two of the fostered children who seemed to be the ones who got the blame for faults real or imagined. No one seemed bothered.

I don't dispute that that was very wrong of him.

However seeing as they have had 22 children without those children being taken into care themselves. They can't be the terrible neglectful parents people are making out on here.
I'm sure many of the kids living in foster homes at the moment would be happier at an actual family home like the Radford's?

On a side note my grandmother was 15 when she had my uncle and my grandfather was about 20, I mean it's wrong but it was pretty common back in the day.

So true.

I really like their family but jesus that sounds so wrong.
@PhoenixStarbeamer how can you?

Wonder how she felt when her own ds's were 13/14 and had male admirers...

*dd's..

Probably because the pie shop isn’t making the ££££££ they need want. Fostering pays well if you’re doing it for grifting reasons.

Even without the statutory rape, they're too high profile. Are they going to keep the child out of all photos and camera shots and off social media as per safeguarding rules around children in care? Near on impossible, surely.

There’s a big difference between 16 and over the age of consent and a 13 year old child and unable to give consent.

I will never understand why this always gets a pass on here. I don’t imagine most people would be so blasé about their 13 year old daughter being groomed by and impregnated by an adult.

It shouldn’t get a pass on here because where there’s a power issue there is still an issue but the law does differentiate between being under 13 and over 13.

A child under the age of 13 is always legally unable to consent. Between 13 and 15 it’s still illegal but slightly different. Although I’d argue that at 13 and 17 there is likely to be a power imbalance even if the 13 year old consented.

How can a 13 year old consent? I’m not talking about wanting to have sex. The age of consent is 16, therefore an under 16 cannot consent.

@Leah5678 I understand what you are saying - they have other children and have (as far as we know) treated them well.

But it still doesn't change the fact that he is a rapist; she was a 13 year old child when she got pregnant.

They never disclose how old they were when they started dating - presumably because they can see how it brings the rape to light. They did however, meet when she was 7!

You can just imagine the uproar with headlines of 'Rapists approved as foster carers.' Or 'Man who admitted to raping a 13 year old girl has now been approved to foster 13 year old girls'. Social services absolutely could not take that risk.

@needahouseindurham

I’m no great fan of the Radfords, I think there are a lot of questions around their early relationship and first pregnancy. However I do feel his behaviour is quite specific to their situation and relationship.

I don’t really think he is a danger to young girls, or boys, in that sense.

As an adopter and foster carer, I dont think they have a cat in hells chance of doing either. If they are serious when they actually look into it they will see its not as easy as just picking up a cute baby. And then realising that the child isnt actually theirs. I cant take my foster child abroad without SW permission, not that I can get a passport out of them, I can’t even change his hairstyle without permission. Lots of restrictions that don’t occur to people.

I should also imagine, given their history, SWs would have serious questions about their attitudes to teenage relationships, and how they would safeguard a vulnerable child in their care.
Contrary to what people might think, fostering isnt that lucrative and certainly wouldnt compensate for loss of income from TV etc which they would have to curtail.

I'm sure many of the kids living in foster homes at the moment would be happier at an actual family home like the Radford's?

Foster homes are actual family homes, children who come into care need a lot of time, support and attention. They need parenting in a way that recognises the impact of trauma and that fosters secure relationships.

Having over 20 children in and out of the house precludes the parents/foster carers being able to offer that. A high presence on social media would bring their motives into question and that’s before we even think about the question of grooming etc in their early relationship.

Young people in care are very often sexually vulnerable so any assessment of this family would include a significant exploration of their early relationship and attitudes towards early sexualisation of children/young teens. And rightly so.

The threshold for fostering is much much higher than 'raised kids without having had them taken into care'

What do you think a foster home is? Foster homes are 'actual family homes' like the Radfords'. Very few children are in children's homes and those that are are generally not able to have their needs met in a family home.

Adopted as babies. With a steady parented life until he got his grubby mitts on her. Not adopted as older children and they also weren't raised in the care system as some spread about on threads about this family.

Surely there must be a rule that a foster child has their own bedroom?

The Radford kids are already bunked up like a youth hostel.

Plus the fact that Sue would probably lose interest in the idea when she’s told she won’t be allowed to video them…

I shouldn't of said "foster homes" my bad phrased it wrong, I meant to say care homes. I've heard there's a shortage of foster carers. Just my opinion but I think the Radford's would make great foster carers, they've got way more experience raising kids than anyone here on this thread 🤷🏻‍♀️ they were both adopted themselves so probably understand the emotional side of it more than most of us here.
Yes standards to foster are very high you need a spare bedroom which most people don't have. But as more Radford kids fly the nest leaving empty bedrooms in their massive house.

@Leah5678 slow clap for the poster excusing statutory rape as “normal back in the day”. Give your head a wobble and stay the fuck away from other women and children, honestly that’s absolutely disgusting.

That is not what the law says.

If a man has sex with a child under 13, the offence is rape of a child under 13 regardless of the child's consent. However, their consent (or lack thereof) is relevant for sentencing.

If a man has sex with a child aged 13-16, the offence is rape if the child does not consent. However, if the child consents, the offence is sexual activity with a child (and therefore, contrary to what some on this thread have said, the offender is not a rapist). If the sex is consensual, there is no evidence of coercion and the ages are close, the authorities will not prosecute.

Reading comprehension isn't your strong point is it?