Foster Grandparenting

What a lovely idea. Good luck! I’d guess you’ll need DBS checks (or whatever they’re called now) but that should be easy to arrange.

Very occasionally someone will ask on here if there are any older people who would like to be grandparents to children with no older relatives.
It's always met with concerns about meeting strangers, involving them in someone's life, and safety issues.

I think it's a grand idea, though, provided both parties are aware and mindful of the pitfalls.

My friend has just become a respite foster carer at over 50 and part of her training involved caring for single mums so yes you could do it that way . It’s a very intensive course and a big commitment I realise from observing my friend but very rewarding I’m sure.

What about the independent visitor scheme?

After a few weeks of training, I think I did 1 night a week for 8 weeks and some online testing, you are allocated a young person in care.

The idea being that every young person in cars has an independent friend, you are someone in their life because you choose to be not because you are paid to be.

I had a lovely girl for 6 years, 12-18.
We had great days and evenings out and I was able to support her when her foster care broke down.

We each learned a lot from the experience.

I should add your local social services or Chidrens services team should be able to help.

Men are very much in demand for young boys.

What a lovely idea ! I have no suggestions or advice , but I just wonder if you have no children “by choice”, will those same “choices” affect your ability to be an “involved” grandparent?