Mamma, you wouldn't be given a complete set of the minutes of the meeting, which would include the discussion and decisions about other applicants and foster carers. They don't even have to give you a copy of the minutes of the discussion that was just about you. However, if a fostering panel has de...

The Fostering Course is usually presented periodically throughout the year, when the fostering team has enough fostering applicants to run it. There will be quite a few other potential carers on the course, maybe a dozen or so, but sometimes up to twenty. The course usually runs for about 6-8 sessio...

distracted gran - the financial assessment formula seemed to be taken down from the government's website earlier this year. This seemed to imply that they might be re-thinking the formula, but they have not put out anything to say that the formula no longer applies, or to put a new formula in place....

Family Rights Group is applying for funding to do some work with children and young people being raised in family and friends care. We want to show in our application that we have consulted some children and young people who are being raised by family and friends carers. It would really help us if y...

distracted gran - the service is open to anyone who can reach Hackney. We said it was for people who live in London, as we know most people who live outside London wouldn't be able to make the journey to Hackney just for this advice. But anyone who's willing to travel to Hackney can make an appointm...

I would just like to point out that the purpose of this forum is for family and friends carers to give each other advice and support.

We would ask everyone to observe the Rules of Use, in particular Rules 3 and 9: http://frg.org.uk/FandFCForum/viewtopic.php?f=33&t=3979

Mamma - I hope that you've been able to get through to our advice line today - keep trying if the lines are busy, as we only have a few staff on the lines, but there are gaps between calls. How to challenge this decision will depend on what you are being assessed for, and who has made the decision t...

Family Rights Group (in partnership with Hackney Community Law Centre), has set up a much needed advice service for relatives and friends, taking on the care of someone else’ child. Who is the project for? We will help relatives and friends who want to apply for a legal order to secure an arrangemen...

The Special Guardianship regulations 2005 state that the SG report to court has to include: "a health history of the prospective special guardian including details of any serious physical or mental illness, any hereditary disease or disorder or disability". The normal procedure for providi...

Skippy, the Ministry of Justice website has a section on changing names by deed poll: https://www.gov.uk/change-name-deed-poll

There is a further link on that page, which you have to follow for information about changing a child's name.