Kind ship fostering

Good for you Trudy. As others have said, there is practical and financial help available but it's rarely given unless the kinship carer asks for it. The links given by nigelp above will be helpful.

It'd be great if you could meet other kinship carers, there may be a group in your area. If you're lucky enough to still have Family Centres near your home, they will run groups etc where you may meet other kinship carers.
Best of luck

I am a kinship carer and have an SGO GD been with me since she was 4 she is 17 today,you have to fight for everything there is very little support,you do get the strength to do what you have to,but it takes its toll on you and all other relationships,you are dealing with 4 youngsters who have lived under a different roof and rules to yours,deep respect and if I can be of any support to you PM me xx

Bless you and DH, Trudy! You've taken on quite a task and those children are very lucky to have you!

I don't know much about foster care laws. But please check out all possible resources. I've heard that sometimes there is financial help available that GPs aren't aware of. If you're actually working with the foster care system, then I think they have to cover the same costs they would for any other foster parents, but I'm not sure.

Also, I hope you check into any possible counseling services, as I'm sure one or more of the kids will need it, after whatever they've been through with their parents.

Best of luck to you all!

I was fostered by my granny due to my mother's ill health. It was such a good idea. Good luck Trudy.

I meet a lot of " kinship carers" at my parenting groups, and, sadly, a lot of them have said they will take the children rather than have them go into foster care. They then are left with little or no support.

As said before, just keep shouting for support, respite care, etc.

Good luck, Trudy! We have fostered the daughter of our friends, orphaned after their deaths. The biggest hurdle we have had to overcome is the pressure to take the child under a 'Special Guardianship order'. Watch out for it!

Hats off indeed! I feel tired just reading this!

Well done you. Let us know how you get on.

nigelp is absolutely right, you need to do your research. There is quite a bit of help out there but you have to ask for it. And do take it because those little ones clearly need you and you won't get any medals for killing yourselves!

Hats off to you here as well! Make sure you get as much rest as possible so that you don't get over tired. and .

This is a complex area. You can get advice from Family Rights Group www.frg.org.uk and Grandparents Plus www.grandparentsplus.org.uk - both have advice lines or the Grandparents Legal Centre www.grandparentslegalcentre.co.uk who are specialists in this area of the law. There are a number of Kinship care Support groups on Facebook which you might find helpful. it is critical that you get specialist advice about the support you are entitled to receive and the responsibilities of local authorities to you and your grandchildren.

Oh my Trudy I can only stand in awe at what you have taken on I take my hat off to you and wish you all the luck in the World.
Sorry I'm no help whatsoever.