Who refers the children?
We only take referrals from local authorities and work in conjunction with
them. The children we place are mainly from the north west and many of the
north west local authorities are in contact with us. We sometimes get referrals
from further afield, but would only place if there were minimum requirements
for contact with birth families.
How long
would the children stay?
It varies
very much. Often we don't know this at the outset. Sometimes placements can be
requested for specific short periods and sometimes for permanency (until 16/18
or beyond). However the majority of referrals do not specify any length of
time. Children usually stay in placement throughout Care Proceedings and until
they are rehabilitated with their families or moved to adoption or permanent
placements.
What age
group do we work with?
We take
referrals for all age groups: 0-18 years. Carers may have skills and experience
with certain age groups and this would be ascertained in assessment.
What kind of
problems do the children have?
All kinds.
We tend to get referrals of children who local authorities cannot place, either
because they have no space with their own carers or because children are
traumatised and have many unmet needs. These children tend to be best placed
where the carers will have a lot of support and where there may not be so many
other small children. We find that children can settle down very quickly when
they are in a calm and secure environment.
What are the
steps to becoming a carer?
When we
receive your application form an introductory meeting will be arranged with the
Director. The next step will be by mutual agreement and will involve a
full assessment over 4 to 6 months, to start when a social worker is available
to undertake this. Police, medical and statutory checks will be
initiated. Our fostering panel will then review the information and, if
approval is given, you will be registered with us and put on the list for
incoming referrals.
© 2007 jigsaw (nw) IFA Ltd.