flexible working to enable fostering

[wannitall]

have name changed as dont want to out myself.

basically I'm in nhs, work shifts to cover 24hr service, I want fri sat sun off to let me foster at weekends - it would pay really well, better than enhanced hours rate on current salary.It means coleagues would have to cover my weekends, ward manager not keen, if I make a formal flexible working request, do I stand a good chance of getting it authorised?

Prob not, as everybody else would have to cover your weekends, it may also make you unpopular if they are 'picking up the slack'.

not really bothered about being unpopular, not fazed by putting up a fight to get what I want, just need some good ammunition to succeed

Sounds to me like you want to foster for the money as it pays better than your job.
I'd be pissed off if I was your colleagues and I'm not sure you are going into fostering for the right reasons.

You stand no chance of getting a fwr request granted for future child care needs.

Or of being approved to foster if you are doing it for the money (unless you're a really good liar).

Yes what everyone else said.

I expect and hope the selection process for being approved for fostering is rigorous and can mostly weed out those with the wrong motives.

There must be a gazillion easier ways to earn money than looking after troubled and challenging children/teenagers.

You are not entitled to flexible working in the anticipation that you might at some point in the future be a foster carer.