Kinship care by Ridley &
Hall:
Many grandparents, relatives and friends
are asked by social services to care for a child rather than
be placed with foster carers. Many such children have been
physically or emotionally abused.Many relatives and friends
agree to care for a child at a moment’s notice. But such
decisions are often life-changing.
- Many carers do not realise
that both they and the children have legal rights,
- Too often local authorities
will claim they have no legal responsibility - or will press
carers to apply for a residence order.
- Grandparents fear that others
may think that they are “in it for the
money”.
Kinship carers need to be realistic about
what they have taken on. Children cost money and, in an age
where local authorities are increasingly reliant on agency
foster carers, a family placement will cost a lot less.The
local authority owes a number of duties towards these
children.
Ridley and Hall’s commitment to human
rights and our cutting edge legal work means that we can
provide advice on the responsibilities of local authorities
and we know how to hold them to account for their
actions.
We are experienced in Judicial Review
proceedings. As a result of actions taken on behalf of kinship
carers over £350000 has been paid to Kinship Foster carers in
back pay for carers entitled to the appropriate fostering
allowance. We have brought about fundamental changes in
the Kinship Fostering policies of some local
authorities.
The Kinship Care Team has a national
reputation for working with friends and family carers. We work
closely with the Family Rights Group, the Grandparents
Association, G.A.P. and a number of national and local
Fostering support organisations.
In addition to other funding
options including Legal
Aid we offer Fixed Fees for
Kinship Care Advice up to
Judicial Review stage £900 inc
VAT
If you are a Kinship Foster Carer
and require further advice please
tel;01484
538 421 email; info@ridleyhall.co.uk
web site http://www.ridleyhall.co.uk/index.php?cPath=5
