Advice needed

[Sue1980]

Hi
I have had a cell from a social worker asking if I will take on a 10 month old boy the problem is the mum has mental heath problems and the dad has a drug problem I said i will met the mum, dad and social worker next wednesday, I need some advice because I have not worked with people with problems.

Can you give me some advice please.

Sue

[Chanelle]

I dont have any advice to give you as I havent worked this closely either. I didnt want to read and run.

Hope the meeting goes well next week.

[cuffleygirl]

Take it on its own merit.

Find out more, but don't be afraid to say no if you don't want to and don't be sucked into feeling sorry for the little one (difficult). Equally you may find the experience very rewarding and be bringing fun into a difficult family circumstance.

Most importantly don't judge we all have problems in our own way most not as serious as these.

Also find out who is going to pay you!

[brightstar]

You need to be sure that you, your family and your other mindees are safe. I say this because I was fostering, mixing lo's with mindees and my own family. Meeting parents for appointments on my own etc. Dad went on to murder someone, mum was previously done for gbh, SS forgot to mention the gbh. I felt my own family and business had been put at risk, so I won't do it anymore. Saying that though, only you can make the decision, every local authority is different. good luck with whatever you decide.

[Sue1980]

Mum and dad going to pay but they do not work.

[clare's bears]

Take it on its own merit.

Find out more, but don't be afraid to say no if you don't want to and don't be sucked into feeling sorry for the little one (difficult). Equally you may find the experience very rewarding and be bringing fun into a difficult family circumstance.

Most importantly don't judge we all have problems in our own way most not as serious as these.

Also find out who is going to pay you!

we agree, andrea and I work on a specialist network and its not always the child with the additional needs, get as much info as possible, who will be collecting the child or would you be expected to do house calls etc.

good advice above, but take your time thinking about all the information as it would be unfair on the child to start then end a contract because you find it too difficult to cope remember we are only human with families of our own

good luck let us know how it works out x

[Sue1980]

Mum will be picking up the child dad not to pick up without mum and yes I may need to do house calls. If I do take the child on i am not going to there house on my own firsts time the social worker has ask if no one can be here when they visit but i would like my family to be here (dont know) hubby has said he will take are kids out

[Bevbeetle]

think you should think about it, i took on 2 children with same sort problems i found it really rewarding the parents needed me as much as children so be prepared for the woek load xx

[gemhei]

Can be quite a tricky area, you need to be prepared! Ive looked after children whos parents have problems, foster children etc and the key is to find out as much as possible about the situation and how the children are affected. I had a meeting with the social worker just me and her before the children started and she went through care plans etc with me, she also explained any behaviour i may come across with the children which may not be the 'norm' so i knew what to expect.

It can be a bit worrying when you have other children around, esp when it comes to dealing with parents and unwanted behaviour from the children but it can be very rewarding too. If you have any worries id address them with the social worker and she/hell be able to help before the childcare starts. I wouldnt take children if i was unhappy with the situation so make sure you are certain before you agree to anything.

Good luck x

[Sue1980]

Just to let you know the social worker come out on wednesday she was nice but the parents did not come boy was ill the social worker made a new meeting for monday she did give me some more information