Urgent Advice On Fostering?

Hi,
My nephew who is 7 has been placed into a foster family after being taken away from his mother, I really want to keep him within the family so he doesn't feel do "Losted" So i was wondering if anyone that has fostered before would give me some advice? (I am going to hopefully talk to his social worker as well)

1) Me and my partner are both 20 and we have got a 2 year old, Would this affect the application? Are we too young?
2) We live in a privately rented 2 bedroom flat, but the second bedroom is tiny and there is no way we would fit two single beds in there and bunk beds would be dangerous for our 2 year old son. Would the council helps us with housing? Either council housing or help towards costs of a larger privately rented property?
3) Does anybody know how much allowance we could get paid? Obviously this is not about the money, as we just want the best for our nephew, but money would be a large help to keep him healthy and happy.

Thankyou for all your responses in advance.

farm mom of 10

Many times a kinship placement doesn't have the same rules as a foster placement. The trouble is a kinship placement doesn't usually get a monthly allotment like a foster family does. They can sometimes get a one time allotment, but the state doesn't usually pay family to care for family...

Opedial

Where are you from? Get an immediate application for kinship care, or person of sufficient interest or something of the like. Age does not matter for these kinds of things. Judges are supposed to keep kids in the family where at all possible.

23 year old texas female married

Can you afford to get a twin bed or day bed with a trundle (it is a frame that slides out from under another bed that has a mattress)

Some states allow foster parents as young as 18, most common age is 21.

I know it ranges from a couple hundred dollars up to I think a thousand dollars. (Not one hundred percent sure just been looking in fostering myself.)

Dawn R

well i dont know where you live. but in california you need to be 13 years older than the foster child.
you have to have a bed for the child.
i got 800.00 for a child that age. agency pays more than country does

âœ§ â“â“˜â“›â“¨ â™¥ kaelers, emy & bella

I take it you're in the UK, but I think (according to my parents at least, they're from the UK/IE) they have similar restrictions on how much older you have to be than the child in question. Here in Washington it's 10 years, some places have 15, others 12 or 13, so I'd check if it's even possible with your age.
Space, I'm sure wouldn't be too much of a concern - as long as he has his own bed, I think you're fine. I think you'll have to contact your local council for information about compensations.

very proud mummy :)

Hi i would get your house sorted first like room for another bed and if the social workers come out don't make the house too cluttered or full of people just make it your self your partner and your little boy playing nicely with his toys nice and quiet and in Control make it a comfortable and offer tea etc when they come in

ive been through the fostering system as a foster child and i know what the social workers like to see

if you really need a bigger house i would suggest getting that in order first social services look for a stable cosy environment and there always looking for foster carers so good luck
ps don't just jump in and say we want to foster him but in stead say we would like him to come and stay with us while things get sorted within his own home and if it wont get sorted then say about fostering him and don't jump in about what benefits you would get make that the last subject as if its not important you will receive benefits for him but you wont get paid fostering wages untill your a carer yourself

i wish you all the luck as ive been through what that little boy is going through now and i wouldn't like him to go through that as well

PPS if you stay in the UK you will be old enough as you can adopt at age 18 why not foster

sizesmith

They won't help you with housing, but there are programs, like HUD that might work and a suggestion would be to move your larger bed into your son's room, and take your room and divide it into 2. This way, there's enough so temporarily, it can work.

You'll probably have to go to foser parenting courses, have a home study, where a social worker talks about your situation, your concerns, and your relationship with your nephew. It might help to see if his mother will sign a consent form to place rights with you, or if she'll at least sign for you to talk openly about the case (they might not without permission from a parent).

Your history, and showing responsiblity with your own child is a big plus. In our state, the allowance is around $400.00. With an added mouth in the home, you might qualify for food stamps, and your child should qualify for WIC already, to help with milk, eggs, cheese, and a few other things.

Research foster care parent qualifications for your state. Take a copy of good rent history, bill paying, utility bills, complete addresses, names and telephone numbers of references. Good luck in the process

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