Long Term Foster Care

[Murray72]

I was just seeking some advice and hopefully someone who has experience of this may assist me.
I have a Child in long term foster care and have worked with CS and other agencies to get to the point where I am no longer supervised at contact and it can take place in my home, it is as I always suspected going well and all positive, however my concern is the reluctance at CS to commit to any plan for re-unification, despite funding an expensive assessment and report (which came back positive for a return) and changing contact arrangements on the basis of this report.

My child is confused at these changes as an intelligent child, is aware that this is a big shift in arrangements and been able to visit the family home is comforting. I am too am a little confused as one of the reasons stated for not committing to a plan is to go at the Child's pace, which if the child is showing signs of confusion at this point will be at a snails pace. I understand fully what this means in terms of ensuring the child has the full emotional support required from all parties, however I fail to see why a plan for re-unification has to be ignored at this point, the current care plan is so out-dated and this has been recognised by all parties, yet still they will not commit. If the care plan was updated to include a plan for reunification then surely this could be done over a longer period of time where more regular LAC reviews are held and further support is offered to myself and my child to ensure this transition is a success.

We have some pretty huge family developments taking place next year and I do not want my Child to miss out further on these, my baby is due next year and my Older Child is due to have a child also. CS have stated there is no need to complete a pre-birth assesment as there is no risk.

Any ideas or advice would be greatly appreciated as I appear to have hit a brick wall at this time.

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Hi Murray

Welcome back to the board and congratulations on your pregnancy, and the fact that you received a positive assessment report that has led to increased contact with your older child.

You are right to feel confused, about the fact that following such an encouraging report the expectation would be that the Local Authority should be testing out the recommendations of the report, if these have been clearly identified, with timescales for any further work.

Have you raised your concerns (in writing) with the social worker or the Independent Reviewing Officer? The is because the care plan should be reviewed and monitored, in order to reflect, any significant changes to your circumstances and the report is evidence of your ability to offer good enough parenting to your children. Did it make any recommendations for further family support?

You should feel reassured by the very fact, that Children’s Services do not wish to conduct a pre birth assessment, as this suggests there are no identified concerns about your parenting capacity in respect of the baby. What are the current concerns, (if any) regarding your oldest child, and what are his views? Both you and your child have a right to be consulted, and kept fully informed about the care plan.

Has your son been offered an advocate from Voice 0808 800 5792 http://www.voiceyp.org/, a charity that provides specialist support to children in care, may be able to visit your son in placement, attend meetings to seek his views, and ensure they are accurately reflected in the care planning process.

I am attaching a copy of our advice sheet on reunification, that outlines the duties of the Local Authority to children Looked After, where they may be returned to their families.

If after attempts to raise these issues informally, you continue to have concerns about the lack of progress in the care plan, you may wish to make a formal complaint.

Congratulations, and thanks for sharing your positive news on the board. I hope this helps.

Best Wishes

Suzie

[Murray72]

Thank you Suzie for your reply.

The report did suggest some work for myself and my Child, to work through any issues relating to the historical domestic abuse, but together as this is something we have never done. They couldnt actually suggest where we would source this support but my SW said she would look into this.

I have written to both the SW and IRO and asked for a written response so I can challenge any issues they may have.

The concerns they have with regards to my Child are as I stated, they do not want to unsettle them in current placement and rush things, the SW keeps stating this has to go at the child's pace, which is what concerns me, CS are in no rush to move the situation forward and it was 10 months from discussing the assessment to the actual assessment taking place then we had to wait for completion of this then it was discussed at latest LAC review and so it continues. And still I don't have any commitment for re-unification.

I am assured that CS recognise there is a change of circumstance and feel a pre-birth assessment is not required but there is a sense of urgency as my pregnancy progresses I am concerned my Child will feel rejected or left out in some way. I obviously want my child to bond with the baby and form healthy attachments.

Thanks for your advice.

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Thanks for the update Murray.

May I suggest you put a proposal and your concerns in writing to the Independent Reviewing Officer allocated to your son, and request a written response is sent to you within seven working days.

You may wish to also ask for a separate meeting with them, to discuss the recommendations of the external assessment, how they propose to incorporate this in to the care plan, and request this is minuted.

Best Wishes


Suzie