Foster Review Board Panel

[ElliesMad]

Hi
Dh and I are going before a foster review board panel in October. Has anyone got any experience of this? Apparently they will question whether we can care for baby (18m ) and dd who is 26 months as they are so close in age. She is a family member. Also could be another little one joining the equation soon.
Any advice? What questions they may ask? Anything at all?
Any help greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Sorry - no experience of this, and I don't know the history behind the question, but surely they are far enough apart to be your own. I know a family who have four children (8 months between the first two and only seven months between the second two). WHy should this be an issue?

Just wanted to wish you good luck

Thanks Joash.
I guess they are wondering whether it would be better to place her in a family where either she's the youngest by a long way or she's the only one. Two toddlers, tow teenage girls?? I know that she should be here with us, with her family. Lets just hope we can convince them of that. We've got a lot of support including her grandparents. So....

How did the move go?

As for the move - we're running late. Me and the boys (GS & DS) are off to Cornwall on the third. DS starts school on the 6th and I start college on the 12th. I recently discovered that I'll be full time for the first couple of weeks, so DH will be doing the actual house move all on his lonesome sometime during the week beginning the 12th - poor sod!! I don't envy him one little bit.

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HI Happymumof2,
Thanks ever so much for that. We have thought of most of those things but it's so good to hear that's what social/ fostering will want. We are definately commited to this child long-term. If she cannot be returned to her birth-mother then we would want her to become an integral part of our family, currently me, dh and dd, with the rest of our family their as support. My cousin is her grandmother and we also have their full support and the support of my aunt-babies great grandmother.
We have a bit of an added complication (although I am loathe to call it that). I'm 5 weeks pregnant. Timing, you may say. But to us it was important that we had a child before our dd started school (next Sept mornings). I never wanted her to think that we'd had another off she goes. So we would have baby and dd for 5 months, then all 3 at home for 4 months and then school and possibly playschool for baby.
We would want baby to be settled enough for her to be able to condider the new baby as a new brother or sister. Family in full support of this also.
When babies born they will be 26 months and 34 months.
If you could see what your relatives makes of that I would be grateful. The woman who is assessing us says that they will have concerns and many questions but that it could be done.
We know it will be hard, but we ahve a lot of support both practical and emotional and we KNOW this would be right for the baby.
What do you think??

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The social worker we are seeing at the moment is an independent not based around here for the assessments. She's really nice and has said the word positive. So that's good. It's the closeness of the ages that I think she feels may sway. Also the father was very violent so we have to make sure all measures are in place for her safety. We've already put on extra locks on the front and side. We'll speak to neighbours etc. And dh bought me a personal alarm. I'll also make sure that I keep my mobile on me, so I can contact people wherever, whenever.
The babies social worker doen't say much but seemed very keen to get us on board. The court guardian definately does not want the baby to return to mum. She seemed keen on us having her too.
Really appreciate your help.
Many thanks.

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HI
They have briefly menioned guardianship but didn't have too many details as it was so new. Perhaps it's worth my while doing my own research into this? It may help show that we are committed and prepared. We are trying to speak t as many people with more than one young child as possible and are trying to think of specific scenarios. Would your relative know what kind of questions the review board may ask? Obviously we've been questioned loads by SW, who did say it would be intrusive but it's been fine really. We've been as open and honest as we know how. We know that we can make a difference to this little girl's life- she will know her family and her history, we'll be able to explain properly and kindly about her parents. She'll be a very important part of a loving, close family. She'll have stability, love, fun, routines. Ok who am I trying to convince??!!
Thanks again, you're being great!

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HI
Didn't think of books! Doh! Looked through internet but there is very little information available on kinship fostering. It seems to be a kind of little talked about area. I suppose often once the children are placed that's it. Whereas non-family fostering involves more intervention and more change for the child???
Thanks ever so much, should really finish ironing now!!

BUMP