What Happens at a Family Meeting With Social Services?

umm_doughnuts_xx

Hi,

I used to work for Social Services in the UK - so if you are from there this may help...

The genral rule is to protect the family..... in fact to protect the family comes over and above protecting the child these days.... and because of this if the children can stay within the family rather than have to stay with a foster family this will be the first option.

However, the family members that are happy to care for the family will be checked out, they will have to prove that the child will be safe and well cared and provided for by the family member. Room to house the children, suitablity of the family member and thoese living within the household will be taken into consideration (if the family member who is offering to look after the child has a criminal record - especially for somthing serious - or has had their own children go into care - this will go against them and they may not be allowed to look after the child. If someone else in the household has a crimnal record - again especially if its serrious - this will also go against them).

Regarding the meeting, it will most likely be to discuss where the children will live for the time being and what is going to happen going forward. Do not expect too much to be decided there and then, but expect it to be more about talking through possibilites, what you (the family) want and what is going to happen next.

Before your family meeting takes place you could call social serives and ask them if they have any material you can read about what will happen at the meeting and about applying to look after a child within the family.

But as you are on the net is would also be worth having a look at your local social services web-site to see what information booklets they have on their. Your local citiza advice may also have some information.

I would say, don't worry about this meeting, its being held to help your family and thats why we pay our taxes hay? I would suggest you dress nicely, smile and do your best to work with the social worker - it can only help - and ask as many questions you feel you need to. Also take a phone number and e-mail of your social worker so that you can go back to them and ask questions later if you think of them.

Wishing you all the best!

xxx

dancerluvxx12

Everything will work out. I promise. Figure out your budget to see if you coul dafford to care for the kids. Thats a start. And Definatly go to the meeting!

Confused In Life

Well im only 17 but i was in foster care until just last year and i had two of those meetings and its really about all the people who are major in the kids life like the social works foster parents and counselors and its really just to see what best for the kids and for everyone to get their opinion in. i know that personal i would rather have lived with a family member than with foster parents so i would suggest to try and get them they would be much happier with you. and im sure that if you can get some type of financial help from the state. email me if you have any questions or want to talk my email is emf_designs@yahoo.com

Mikaylee's Mommy!!

Go to the meeting. It would be so much better for the children to live with family than to be put in a foster home. They will let you know if you can qualify to care for the kids.
Good Luck!

Jenna_

i think its just a planning meeting. Seeing if there are family members who can take responsibility etc...

you MUST go! Children are better with their family and if you didnt go you'd spend the rest of your life wondering what if?!
Work out your finances, they may help you with accommodation, i dont know.

SUE G online

if you are interested in looking after the children, then you have to go through all the fostering process, like finance checks, police checks for everyone that is likely to stay the night at your house including yourself and any partner for every address you have ever lived at, social services checks, it can take some time, months so dont expect a quick result, sometimes if they are relatives they can place the children with you while these checks are carried out, but you will have regular meetings with social services

Julie G

Go to the meeting. Social Services in the UK (I am assuming you are in the UK) are notorously understaffed and underfunded. They will go along the lines that 'as long as the boxes are ticked' then all is good. You must go and inject some humanity into the situation - otherwise the little ones will just be shipped into the cattle market.

There is financial and emotional help available to you if you think you may be able to help so, if only to check that out, please turn up.

Rachel R

Is the decision final? They will discuss child protection issues. Other options for child care. Give advice on what happens from here i suppose. Good luck to you all xx

Looked Down and I was Smoking

If there is no food in the fridge they take your kids away .

S0046528

i live at three beaconsfield place and my parents live at eighteen churchilway ketering we know not to trust the sociell services my parents will ignore you god bless

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