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Short Break Carer
As I work full time, I am normally only available for placements at the weekend, however there have been some occasions when I have been able to have an emergency placement during the week.
On Friday night I have John for one overnight. This is planned respite and has been going on for about 3 months now. His mum was struggling to care for him and his new baby sister, so to help out John comes to stay with me on a Friday night. He enjoys his overnight and we usually do something like bowling or going to the pictures. But sometimes we just watch a bit of TV.
This Saturday night I am caring for a young girl who is already in foster care. Her foster carers are attending a wedding and so will be away overnight. I was introduced to her earlier in the week. We are planning on going for a pizza then getting some DVD's to watch.
I don't always have a child placed on a Saturday night, but as I am available for emergency placements also, this can sometimes mean I get a call very late at night from the Social Work Emergency Stand By Service. I don't mind this as I always have the spare room ready incase I get a call.
On these occasions the children can be very upset and distressed, so I just do my best to reassure and comfort them until there is a clearer plan for them. I also attend training as a short break carer. As I work full time, usually I attend the Saturday courses, although my work can be quiet flexible at times also.
Temporary Foster Carer
Monday – New placement this afternoon, which was on an emergency basis, young girl, Anna aged 9 years old. Explained to the other child who has been with us for a few months, Jemma, 6 years old. She seemed to take this pretty well. Anna was very quiet and distressed when she arrived however seemed to settle down after a few hours and enjoyed playing with Jemma. Our birth son, Aiden who is 15 is really good with all the children. He was helping Anna with a computer game tonight. Anna's worker is coming back to visit her tomorrow.
Tuesday – My husband, Alan took the kids to school this morning on his way to work as I have a meeting with Anna's social worker. Got lots more information about Anna. Her looked after and accommodated review is scheduled for Thursday afternoon. Spoke with Anna's school to let them know who I was and to check they had my details.
Wednesday – Jemma's hospital appointment this afternoon. Met up with her mum and we went together. Jemma had contact for a couple of hours after this. This evening Jemma and Anna had a big argument as Jemma got to see her mum today and Anna has been worried about her mum and hasn't seen her since Monday morning when she was taken to hospital. Alan managed to settle the girls down and we both spent some individual time with them which seemed to help, although Anna was still a bit upset a bedtime.
Thursday – Fairly quiet morning. Got shopping done. Anna's review this afternoon. She stated the she enjoyed being involved in the meeting, and was especially excited when she got to speak with her mum on the phone. Possibility that she will be able to visit her mum next week. This really reassured her that her mum was ok and we had a good evening.
Friday – Settled day for all children. Quiet night in watching the telly.
Saturday – Aiden has a football game today so we all went to watch and had a great time! Had lunch at home then relaxed for the rest of the evening.
Sunday – My daughter and her family came for Sunday lunch as normal. Anna was quiet upset though as it made her think of her own family. We all went to the cinema later on.
Permanent Foster Carer
Jack (13) and Peter (10) are brothers who have been with us for about 3 years now, so we are in a fairly settled routine. I work full time, while my wife, Ann works part time.
Monday – Today is different than normal as the boys have contact with their siblings and dad today. This usually means that Jack becomes very quiet and sensitive to every comment we make, while Peter is very excitable and unruly. However contact goes well today, although Jack was angry with his dad for some reason when he returned. He didn't want to talk about it at the time so we didn't push it.
Tuesday – Settled day. Kids excited as we have booked the summer holiday so they are looking forward to that.
Thursday – Our Link Social Worker visited us today. Had a good chat about how the boys were. Discussed the training plan and what courses we'd like to attend. As our annual review is due in the next couple of months, our worker gave us out medical forms and Disclosure forms for us and some of our family supports to complete.
Saturday – Went shopping today – the boys seem to be growing all the time just now. Tonight Ann and I are going out for dinner to celebrate our wedding anniversary, the boys didn't want to come as apparently John, our nephew has got a new video game so they are all going to my brother-in-law's to play that and are planning on staying over there at night. We'll collect them tomorrow (if we can tear them away from the game) and head out for some lunch.
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