PERMANENCE ORDER

[Louise]

Hello

My children where placed in foster care approximately 4 years ago as I was having a difficult time after separating from my ex husband which had ended in a violent altercation. I then asked for all three of my children to be accommodated in what was supposed to be for two weeks. When I would be well enough to provide an acceptable level of care for them, although it was likely that Children's Services would have inevitably have removed them due to the poor level of care I was giving them at that time and I have fully accepted that I did not have ability to care for them then, however 8 months later my youngest child and my oldest child were returned to me as I had agreed to leave my special needs middle child in care as this was what was best for her as she would be assured stability.

I have regular overnight contact with my middle daughter and have her for rest-bite care for the current foster carer, usually a week at a time. My daughter has been accommodated in care through Supervision Requirement and as such I have retained my rights until now last July we had to attend a Permanence Panel who made a recommendation in the September that she was suitable for permanence which I did fight as I wanted to retain my parental rights to my daughter. (It was also stated that she was not suitable for adoption.) I have also always co-operated with every other request and abide by any rules that each of the foster carers has in place no matter how difficult eg one foster carer refused to allow her to eat white bread or any sweets at anytime, not even Christmas or birthdays (and not for any dietary reasons). I have never missed a contact nor have I ever been late. When she is returned to the foster carers her clothes are always washed and she is always bathed, hair brushed etc.

My problem is that I only agreed that she was better off in care as they would be able to offer her stability and support as well as a loving home, unfortunately my daughter is now facing her 4th foster home and new school in a different area, complete restart again and I don't know that this is perhaps any longer the best place for her as I don't feel that there is any stability being offered to her. When she leaves one foster home she never sees them again and it seams like a never ending wheel of people who take her in for a year and then decide they can not cope. I find this difficult so god only knows how my daughter feels. The permanence order has not even went to court as it is on hold once again due to her no longer being wanted by the current carer I am frightened of what the future holds for my daughter and now wonder if she would be better off at home instead.

Can you please offer me some advice on what to do as I don't know what to do anymore if it is even possible to pursue a course of action to have her returned to me or not. My other two children are no longer under Children's Services and are very happy and well cared for at home and flourish as part of their local community.

Thank you and grateful for any advice you can offer.

I do not know if it makes any difference that we all live in Scotland.

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Hi Louise

Welcome to the discussion board.

Sorry but I need to advise you that because the Family Rights Group are only funded to help families in England and Wales, and the law is different in Scotland, I need to signpost you to Scottish Child Law Centre on 0131 667 6333.

Best Wishes

Suzie