3 grandchildren now call this home

Oops cross posted with PRIMROSE53.

When I said £160 per week that would be for one child and subsequent children also £160 per week so it is a fault in the government that family taking in children do not receive anything like those monetary allowances and really struggle.

I suggest you go to mumsnet where there are several categories appropriate for this question. Look under the “parenting” choices and “adoption”. Perhaps even ask Nader “Legal”. There is some good, knowledgable advice there. Would you qualify as a Kinship Carer as I understand that gives good financial support? Hopefully others will come along with experience.
I wish you well with this generous undertaking and hope over time it is rewarding.

Backtomum the poster Primrose has left you best forum to contact they will advise any allowances you can apply for they also have a helpline to offer support and advice. there are many new lines of thought opening up that kinship carers should receive allowances simular to foster carers and rightly so. A foster carer through social services can receive approximately £160 per week and often other extras. Many family take on children and receive very little although they do have the greatest satisfaction of keeping the children within the family which is a true blessing. Good luck.

This might help

frg.org.uk/get-help-and-advice/who/kinship-carers/

Can't help with your question Backtomum but I did want to say well done to you and your husband for taking care of your grandchildren in this way. Its a big responsibility to take on but will mean so much to them I'm sure. I hope you get some help soon.

Getting advice from something like citizens advice, social services or even the benefits office DSSS as was (or whatever it’s called now )may help.
Certainly Citizen/dvice is a good place to start.

Call or email Citizens Advice, they have access to all the updated info on benefits etc.,

Have you been in touch with Social Services? I left a long time ago but they should be able to offer advice and practical support. You certainly should get more than family allowance.
If they were in care it would cost a fortune.
Well done for doing this for your grandchildren, it is a huge commitment but so worth while and will bring them the security all children deserve,

Someone I know is a Legal Guardian of a child until he is 18. I know they get an allowance for this from the state. It is similar to fostering and this child is their relative. Do keep looking as there may be help available. As well as the money, the child goes to holiday clubs although I do not know if that is an extra.

Backtomum

Midget, thanks, I called them, so many options, spoke to one person, then onto another option and cut off. Same with live chat! Was very disappointed

Get an appointment if you can?

Midgey, apologies, I meant to respond to Jaxjacky and also meant to refer to your name, dratted autocorrect!

Midget, thanks, I called them, so many options, spoke to one person, then onto another option and cut off. Same with live chat! Was very disappointed

I have been listening about this anomaly on the radio. If you were fostering you would have help, it seems so wrong. I’m sorry you are having such a problem. But your grandchildren must be so relieved, what a great thing to do.

Give Citizens Advice a ring, they may well help, good luck.