In fostering, sometimes placements are planned with the child coming into care over a transition period, giving them time to adjust and pack their belongings, and giving their new carer time to get ready, but increasingly more often than not it is last minute.
And for good reason too.
Social services may have just taken a call from the police who've been to a property following a domestic situation, to go in and find evidence of drug use and unsanitary conditions with children in the home. With the right court order in place for their own safety the children may be (temporarily) brought into care at very short notice.
This is the mild end. There are more horrific reasons - a child turning up at school complaining their bottom hurts or that mummy had lots of strange friends over last night doing scary things making loud noises in the bedroom. The list goes on, and on, and on, unfortunately.
But serious situations require swift action, even if it ends up being a false alarm and the children are returned the next day.
So what happens if a child is brought into care at very short notice.
Well, a court order is needed to remove the child from their parent/s for starters.
But then the real issue starts of 'where will this child sleep tonight?', 'is it safe for them to go home and collect some belongings?', 'can they go to school tomorrow?', 'how will they feel when they arrive at their new home?'
The primary concern is where will they sleep. If possible councils try to keep siblings together but this isn't always possible. I've known groups split up because of the last minute nature, eg a group of four children may go between three foster carers (two with one carer, the third with another, and the fourth with a different carer too).
If the council cant find a carer they'll then look 'out of area' as in ask their neighbouring councils. Sometimes kids taken into care may have to move 50+ miles that night. It's horrific but its still better than them being in an unsafe home.
I would say the second and third most important concerns are kinda linked - how will the child feel, and can they take anything with them. If its not safe to pop home, and they come into care with no belongings except literally the clothes they're wearing, then they may feel more lonely and upset. But if its not safe, its best they dont pop home... however if they can picking up clothes, games and their favourite toy will help settle them.
How the child feels will be unique to them and evolve too. They may be quiet, polite, respectful on their first night in a new home but full of rage the next!
How does the carer feel too? Well, a mixture of excitement and worry I would say.
More on that another time.
The most important thing is children coming into care feels safe and secure.
Could you provide a safe home for a child, even just for a few days a week?
All the best, Bristol Fostering.
Check out are FB Here
NB Bristol Fostering is a personal blog and not affiliated with any fostering agency. The author just happens to be a foster carer in Bristol, UK
We do recommend Bristol Council though as they're fab. Bristol Council fostering enquiry form
And for good reason too.
Social services may have just taken a call from the police who've been to a property following a domestic situation, to go in and find evidence of drug use and unsanitary conditions with children in the home. With the right court order in place for their own safety the children may be (temporarily) brought into care at very short notice.
This is the mild end. There are more horrific reasons - a child turning up at school complaining their bottom hurts or that mummy had lots of strange friends over last night doing scary things making loud noises in the bedroom. The list goes on, and on, and on, unfortunately.
But serious situations require swift action, even if it ends up being a false alarm and the children are returned the next day.
So what happens if a child is brought into care at very short notice.
Well, a court order is needed to remove the child from their parent/s for starters.
But then the real issue starts of 'where will this child sleep tonight?', 'is it safe for them to go home and collect some belongings?', 'can they go to school tomorrow?', 'how will they feel when they arrive at their new home?'
The primary concern is where will they sleep. If possible councils try to keep siblings together but this isn't always possible. I've known groups split up because of the last minute nature, eg a group of four children may go between three foster carers (two with one carer, the third with another, and the fourth with a different carer too).
If the council cant find a carer they'll then look 'out of area' as in ask their neighbouring councils. Sometimes kids taken into care may have to move 50+ miles that night. It's horrific but its still better than them being in an unsafe home.
I would say the second and third most important concerns are kinda linked - how will the child feel, and can they take anything with them. If its not safe to pop home, and they come into care with no belongings except literally the clothes they're wearing, then they may feel more lonely and upset. But if its not safe, its best they dont pop home... however if they can picking up clothes, games and their favourite toy will help settle them.
How the child feels will be unique to them and evolve too. They may be quiet, polite, respectful on their first night in a new home but full of rage the next!
How does the carer feel too? Well, a mixture of excitement and worry I would say.
More on that another time.
The most important thing is children coming into care feels safe and secure.
Could you provide a safe home for a child, even just for a few days a week?
All the best, Bristol Fostering.
Check out are FB Here
NB Bristol Fostering is a personal blog and not affiliated with any fostering agency. The author just happens to be a foster carer in Bristol, UK
We do recommend Bristol Council though as they're fab. Bristol Council fostering enquiry form
Comments
Post a Comment