Fostering v SGO

[Diane]

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[Help 1870]

They cant force you to go for SGO. Its obviously cheaper for them if you do have one and they back away. Permanence should always be the prefered option for any child and should be sought as soon as its safe to do so.

If the placement is secure and there are no issues re contact then why not consider it. The only thing you should lose out on is the involvement of SS and the need to request their permission for any major decisions. You will be assessed for a financial package so unless you are on a high income should be no worse off financially once CB and CTC are included.

[Robin D]

I agree with Diane, but strongly suggest that you need to ensure that the financial and support package lasts for the whole of childhood, and that any need to fight a future legal challenge to the SGO or for contact will be supported and funded by the LA.

Robin



Grandparent carer in Suffolk [:)]

[Muspark]

I would say you are in a strong position.

Ask them to give you the breakdown of the financial package and a letter confirming the amount and that it will last for the whole of the child minority.

Also ask them to confirm they will fund ALL legal costs of the SGO plus any future costs in either parent goes back to court.

If they won't do that they the child remains LAC and on their stats... simple as!

[Diane]

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[Muspark]

Whilst I think no one should be forced into a order they do not want and I do not want to sound harsh, I think that many of the carers may feel it is a little unsettling to hear your story when they have to fight for every penny of SGO allowance and surcome to a means test annually or even put up with a pittance of RO allowance offered by the LA's (that is if they did not come under the awful "private arrangment".

I can think of two Carers who pray everyday that they can have the children they care for taken off of LAC status. It can affect children living under the cloud of LAC even when living with Kin. A permanent option I believe is always for the best if at all possible. Most people will get some form of Tax Credit etc for the child anyway and the means test takes all of this into account. Some LA's even take debt into account.

You have the added bonus of your son living with you and having time off at weekends which many carers would die for.

Yes money is important but so is knowing that YOU have full control over your grandchild and not a corporate parent. Sorry if this sounds a little rough but I had to fight tooth and nail to get my SGO allowance even though the means test showed we were in need after taking into account the Working Tax Credit and Family Tax credit that we were entitled too.

[Nana]

I'm confused! Why is she fostered if Dad lives with her and has care of her...that doesn't make a great deal of sense or am I missing something?

[jenmarie]

I'm confused too, and while I hope you get what you are looking for, I'm in the same situation as many other carers. I had to fight for my

[Diane]

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[Diane]

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