social services/foster care

[mominneed]

my daughter who is 11, is in voluntary foster care & i want 2 no my rights regardin contact ( at the moment we get 1 hr per wk!!) & how i can get her the rite help , so far all social services ave managed 2 do is put her in placements that ave made her behaviour worse?! & offer little or no help via specialists due 2 'lack of funding' help!

[dot.haukes]

Hi
I know nothing whatsoever about the Social Services or Foster Care systems, but the word 'voluntary' struck me as important. If the arrangement is voluntary, surely there is more scope, or is that why there is less funding?

[pinktwink]

well at lot depends on the reasons and circumstances that led to your child coming in to care. Voluntary is not what it may suggest though as often if you dont agree then SS go to court . So it is not really voluntary.

Can you say more abouth the reasons for care.
Ask your social worker for a statutory child in care review which will address access.
Whilst you may not believe it but often the courts are a better place to have your access copperfastened.
Speak to your social worker about your views and a family law expert.
Put any complaints in writing.
Are there any family members who could care for your child as opposed to placements. Does she have special needs?
am happy to help if have more info

[mominneed]

thanx 4 ur answers! more background info.... i adopted my daughter 9 yrs ago ( along with her brother who is now 10) she has always displayed 'challenging ' behaviour which the so called experts put the label of ''attachment disorder'' on. but in the last 6 mths she has got worse... verbally abusive, physically abusive, mentally abusive & a danger 2 herself as well as every1 else. so i had 2 make the hardest decision i have ever had 2 & asked 4 her 2 b accomadated while we all try 2 recover & sort her problems out. i also secured her a place at a very gud boarding skool but this is now in jeopordy due 2 her recent behaviour. SS r now talkin bout flip side foster care?

[pinktwink]

have you considered specialised care in a unit that deals with her behaviour like a therapeutic community that also provides family therapy. Request contact from social services. This is crucial particularly for a child with an attatchment disorder who may feel abandoned and rejected by you and her brother. Talk to her doctor/ therapist about the efect of her being seperated from the family and how yee as a family can support her. Good luck
Dont be too hard on yourself, too often children who are adopted when older come to families with a lot of difficulties. The difficulties that led to their removal from home along with the moves whilst awaiting a permanent home. It can take a lifetime to undo the damamge done to children in their fornmative years