Bristol Fostering

Hello! For those of you unfamiliar, I offer respite foster carer and cover emergencies. Respite is where you give either another foster carer or a child's family a break by having their child for usually 1-7 nights, quite often just one or two nights. Emergency placements are where Social Services phone you and ask you to take a child that night for at least one night. I've done this a few times and least notice I've had is 15mins and most 5hrs. Some of these kids have stayed just one night; longest was 21 nights. I've decided to start twice a month keeping a diary of my fostering experiences as such a carer. Monday - kids! I was not expecting to be looking after a little one today as there was no one in the diary but late Sunday night I was approached to go to another carer's home to look after their foster child because the carer was in hospital. That night the child had gone to a relative of the carer but this was not ideal for a number of rea...

Someone once asked me if I was worried about looking after certain kids... you know.. if it was safe to look after some kids, or if I was concerned we wouldn't get on, or even just that it might be a difficult few days. But to be honest so far I have not been worried about saying 'yes' to a child, but more worried about saying 'no'. And I do say 'no'. I say no in the sense that when I see a child on the group email (when a child needs a respite place all the respite carers are emailed out basic information and then ask for more information if they think they can help) I do not think I could look after I don't put myself forward. I've also said 'no' literally, verbally, when I've been rung and asked for a child that day, usually because I've had long standing plans I really do not want to cancel. But I do worry about saying 'no'. If I've said no, and another Bristol carer has said yes, then at least that child has st...

Hello! For those of you unfamiliar, I offer respite foster carer and cover emergencies. Respite is where you give either another foster carer or a child's family a break by having their child for usually 1-7 nights, quite often just one or two nights. Emergency placements are where Social Services phone you and ask you to take a child that night for at least one night. I've done this a few times and least notice I've had is 15mins and most 5hrs. Some  of these kids have stayed just one night; longest was five nights. I've decided to start twice a month keeping a diary of my fostering experiences as such a carer. Monday - no kids I do not have any kids scheduled to come stay Monday night and as the course of the day goes on, I do not get asked for any. Which is good as I am quite tired (like usual). I have lots of plans for the week though including a niece visiting Tues and Weds. I was supposed to have a meeting with my social worker Tues but I a...

Hello! For those of you unfamiliar, I offer respite foster carer and cover emergencies. Respite is where you give either another foster carer or a child's family a break by having their child for usually 1-7 nights, quite often just one or two nights. Emergency placements are where Social Services phone you and ask you to take a child that night for at least one night. I've done this a few times and least notice I've had is 15mins and most 5hrs. Some  of these kids have stayed just one night; longest was five nights. I've decided to start twice a month keeping a diary of my fostering experiences as such a carer. Monday - no kids No kids due to come on Monday which is good as I'm rather tired. I sleep in a bit after a long night at work but my slumber is shortened by social services ringing to say they may have a boy for me for later in the week but are not sure yet. They're just double checking I'm actually free. The social worker says she...