Kinship care

In some proceedings the Judge suggests the l.a pay the legal fees of the proposed kinship cater who has been made a party to the proceedings

Fredawombey — do you have legal representation? If not perhaps you could consider it and make an application to the Court to be ‘joined in’ to the proceedings.

Sorry Freda - I realise he’s technically a looked after child - by saying voluntary I meant the impression from your OP is that care proceedings are being worked towards rather than having started ie S 20
I hope things go well for you and your grandchild

He is technically a looked after child, formerly known as in care. social services are very involved. We are fostering him whilst also being assessed for long term foster care. So no, it's isn't voluntary or a family arrangement. If he wasn't with us he would be in foster care with non family.

As your grandson is placed with yiu and an SGO assessment going well, hopefully all will go well.
Kinship care is always considered because children usually have better long term outcomes if they continue to live in their family of origin.
I think you’re caring for him on a voluntary basis, with pre care assessments ongoing. Does this mean that no Court involvement so far? Cafcass will appoint a children’s guardian who will instruct a solicitor to represent your grandson. The parents will be legally represented. Some kinship carers see a solicitor who gives them independent legal advice.
Try not to worry - he’s placed with you which is significant
Best of luck

I'm not sure what could be done then.

I really hope the best decision is made for the boy.

We would be looking at a SGO. That's not the issue, my main worry is that the parents are deemed able to parent and In that case he would be placed back in their care. As a family we know it wouldn't be safe.

Our assessment is going really well and there are no reasons why it shouldn't be positive.

I knew a family in this situation. They adopted their granddaughter. Their daughter had a drug problem and was in a violent relationship with the father. Unfortunately she kept taking him back even after he served a prison sentence for it. So sad, but the adoption was the best solution and the granddaughter still has contact with her mother. I hope everything works out for you.

I have no experience of this Freda but I am thinking about you and your
grandson. Not surprised you are sick with worry! I wish for the best outcome for your GS and and for you and your DH. Good luck , hang in there .💐

I have a child arrangement order for my grandson, as it was less complex than kinship, and I wasn't in any fit state of mind to do anything much when he first came here.

Plus I had the bloody jobcentre hounding me about going to work.

I had to go to court, and have a cafcass assessment, but I felt that everyone was very helpful, and wanted the best for my boy.

It may be because the arrangement order costs the services nothing, though.

I really did feel that everyone was putting my grandson first, so hopefully that is how the kinship works, too

LOUISA1523

When a child is CIC ( child in care).there will always be dual planning ....so as not to hold up any adoption if that's the way these pan out....it doesn't mean it will tho......do you see any reason you won't be approved? ..... childrens services always look to keep a child withing the family....so will support you with nursery placements or wrap around care if child is in school

Not always. I know a couple who tried everything to bring up their small grandsons when it was decided their mother was not fit to bring them up.

They were a really nice couple and well respected as Mum was a senior nurse and Dad was a well thought of craftsman. Their daughter went off the rails, committed crimes and went to prison.

It was decided that the little boys needed a fresh start and they felt if the mother was always in the background, it would not be good for them. They went for adoption.

When a child is CIC ( child in care).there will always be dual planning ....so as not to hold up any adoption if that's the way these pan out....it doesn't mean it will tho......do you see any reason you won't be approved? ..... childrens services always look to keep a child withing the family....so will support you with nursery placements or wrap around care if child is in school