FOSTER CARERS
Foster carers are employed by the social services department. The role of a foster carer is to care for other people’s children when they are unable to do so. The children become part of your life and family and vice versa. However, even after many months or years of caring for a child the social services department can take that child away from you if they think there are another suitable places for them to reside in.
There are certain actions foster carers can take if they feel their relationship with the child they are caring for is being overlooked by the social services and court.
They can apply for an order to the court that the children live with them. This can be done in the following situations:
1. You could ask to be assessed in any court proceedings or care order application;
- You could ask the court to make you a party to the proceedings. This will allow you to take full part in the proceedings and you will be fully informed of any decisions regarding the child. It will further allow you to know what is being said about you as a foster carer;
- You could seek permission to apply for a residence order or a guardianship order which will allow you to request the court to make an order that will allow the child to live with you for a long term;
- You could also ask to be considered as potential adopter for the child so you can then have complete parental responsibility for the child.
We at Sabeers Stone Greene LLP are here to assist you at every step of the way from initial advising to final representation to make this sensitive and stressful process as easy as possible.