Fostering students

[Concernedfrommanc]

Is it possible to foster a student you teach? Or is it a conflict of interest? I have reason to believe that a 16 year old student of mine is about to be kicked out. There are concerns at home and the student is wonderful. We have the space but I'm not a foster carer at present.

Safeguarding are aware of the troubles at home.

I think you'd have to be registered first. Of course if they are going to be kicked out you could offer to foster them informally, but this would almost certainly be frowned upon.

You might be better asking this on the fostering and adoption board. Normally getting approval as a foster carer is a long and arduous process. Does the student not have any relatives who would take them into kinship care? This would likely be a favoured option by Children's Services.

Also, do you know the full circumstances? How, if so?

I'm not sure I know the full circumstances but from what I know they'll be out on their next birthday with whatever they can carry. There are issues with alcohol in the home and behaviour that borders on abuse but wouldn't be considered severe enough to remove them.

I can't imagine it would go anywhere but I just want to take them home and give them a stable loving environment to grow in.

I adopted one of my students. I couldn’t bear the thought of her in the ‘care’ system.
It is possible. If they have a social worker, phone them. Conflict of interest is nonsense when you can change someone’s life.

You would need to inform your DSL of this potential plan though

Thank you. I spoke to DSL and they said it's a very long process and they are working to avoid it getting to that point which I suppose is always the goal but it's heartbreaking to think they might have to stay in that home.

I’ve always thought there should be some sort of mechanism to allow (carefully vetted, obviously) teachers to foster pupils. Even if it was just short term/respite placements, it could make a huge difference to some pupils’ lives. I hope you’re able to work something out.