Forced into Fostering.

[bojest]

can anyone offer any help or advice?

 

In mid February this year there was an assault carried out by my daughter's 15 yr old neighbour on his 16 yr old sister. The 15 yr old was arrested.

 

Police called an out-of-hours social worker to deal with the 16 yr old girl as the girls' parents were/are uninterested.The social worker asked my daughter, who is no relation whatsoever to any of those involved and has an 8 yr old son, if the 16 yr old could stay with her that night and would she bring her into Lambeth Social Services the next morning?

My daughter, as a concerned neighbour, agreed.

 

The following morning my daughter took the 16 yr old girl in to see social services and was asked by them if she would offer shelter for the girl for "a few days more".

 

Eight weeks on, dozens of 'phone calls and several visits to Lambeth Soc Svcs and the situation hasn't changed although my daughter has fallen behind with her rent and other bills and I, on DLA myself, am having to subsidise things and to top everything, my daughter has been threatened with "action" for owing rent to Lambeth Council AND of being in breach of her tenancy agreement by having the 16 yr old girl live there!

 

Lambeth Social Services say the do not have to offer any financial help to my daughter who is after all, a very unwilling, unpaid "foster care provider" who has now been prescribed anti-depressants by her GP because of all this and she can't just dump the girl on the streets.

Edited April 23, 2015 by citizenB

[mikeymack2002]

This story is of very grave concern, firstly has your daughter had the relevant police checks to be a temporary foster carer? Also I would be calling the most senior manager of that Social Services Dept. Failing that please contact your MP.

 

 

The fact they Soc. Serv. have left this so long without a follow up is just so wrong. You can also call the child protect league and ask them for help or try here http://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/child-protection-system/england/

or contact www.childrenslegalcenter.com You can speak anonymously to either of the above and they will offer all the help and support you both need.

[mikeymack2002]

If you call or email either service they will be able to help straighaway

[caro]

I can't believe that Lambeth are doing this. It's shocking!!

 

 

Agree with Mickeymack's suggestions, and also try your local councillor.

 

 

Is the girl in school or education? Maybe the school or college could help.

[bojest]

The girl is not in education. Last Monday my daughter and the girl forced a meeting with a social worker at their offices. I had equipped my daughter with a recording device. The soc srvce "team leader" is recorded asking for "just another few days" and offering my daughter £20 for food. Yet another "team leader" is recorded by me, laughing at my demand for action.

Lambeth appear to be out of control. Local politicians are all too busy with electioneering but a law firm, "Just for kids" are now talking to the girl.

I will act on the advice given here and keep you posted.

Thanks again.

[caro]

There's also childline.

[king12345]

Why don't you take the 16yo back to the council and tell them that you kicked her out and she's homeless.

At that point they must offer her emergency accommodation.

If they ask for a few more days just say one word: NO!

When I say you, I mean your sister.

[mikeymack2002]

Here are some contact details and info for you.

 

 

http://www.lambeth.gov.uk/social-support-and-health/abuse-and-violence/contact-social-services-if-you-are-worried-about-a

 

 

This is what they say quoted

 

 

"We provide family support and child protection services. All children and young people have the right to live in safety, without emotional cruelty, neglect, violence, or sexual abuse. If you are worried about a child please tell us about your concerns so that we can help."

[king12345]

Here are some contact details and info for you.

 

 

http://www.lambeth.gov.uk/social-support-and-health/abuse-and-violence/contact-social-services-if-you-are-worried-about-a

 

 

This is what they say quoted

 

 

"We provide family support and child protection services. All children and young people have the right to live in safety, without emotional cruelty, neglect, violence, or sexual abuse. If you are worried about a child please tell us about your concerns so that we can help."

 

The op's sister is not worried about the child, in fact, the child is in safe hands.

She's worried about her sanity and the fines imposed by LA because of their own cook up (deliberate misspelling before you point it out)

[caro]

Why don't you take the 16yo back to the council and tell them that you kicked her out and she's homeless.

At that point they must offer her emergency accommodation.

If they ask for a few more days just say one word: NO!

When I say you, I mean your sister.

 

I have to confess that I considered posting this too. I refrained out of concern for the girl's feelings, but then that is the council's problem, who are evading their responsibility, not to mention fostering or accommodation costs.

[king12345]

And don't forget they are also charging extra council tax if I understand correctly.

[bojest]

An update;

First, many thanks to all who responded with good advice and information.

Today, after intervention from the law firm "Just for Kids", the Family Rights Group and a round-robin email to every elected Lambeth councillor I could find, the child was found a Salvation Army bedsit cum B & B.

I must add also that the threat by myself to put on the internet recordings of Lambeth social workers passing the buck, denying knowledge of the problem and one actually laughing at me when I demanded action may have helped. (I offered them the opportunity to prosecute me for doing so also but had no reply.)

This is not over though. I intend to invoice Lambeth on my daughter's behalf for providing food, warmth, shelter and of course a safe haven for the girl for nine weeks and I'd be grateful if someone could point me in the direction of a suitable invoice template.

Once again, thank you all for such immediate and useful help.

[king12345]

Look at the current rate of fostering for Lambeth council and charge them accordingly.

It's only right that your sister is compensated for a situation THEY created.

Plenty of invoice templates online, in this case just pick the simplest one.

[stu007]

Hi

 

Its great news that you managed to get something sorted but you should not have had to do it this way in the first place.

 

Check the Councils website for their Complaints Procedure and make a Formal Complaint in writing (keep copies and get free proof of posting from post office you want to keep a good paper trail) send copies to your local Councillor, MP and importantly

 

The Housing Department of the council also requesting a meeting with a Senior Housing Officer to discuss the arrears/breach of tenancy. (take all evidence you have) A face to face meeting gives you the opportunity to explain why this happened and to try and come to an arrangement with them (remember to request anything that is discussed/agreed at that meeting is put in writing and a copy sent to you).

[mikeymack2002]

Very good news for your daughter, it may appear that someone may have taken advantage of generosity that was offered in the first place, not only did they not pay for the care provided they even tried to charge for the privilege too, that is just awful.

 

 

If you wish to keep us updated then that would be nice good luck...