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    breathless1's Avatar
    breathless1 Posts: 59, Reputation: 2
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    #1

    Nov 3, 2008, 07:05 AM
    When children are taken into foster care
    Can anyone tell me why children would be taken away under the following circumstances?.

    The mother is said to have a 'drinking' problem and is known by the social services and the police.

    Apparently the baby about 8 months old, was found by the baby sitter to have a burn on her cheek that she apparently received a days before whilst being with the mother. She told the mother to take the baby to the hospital.

    The next thing - the boy 2 years old is taken into foster care and the baby into hospital with the mother only having supervised visits for 1.5 hours a week.

    The twin sister is not allowed to visit either (of the mother) only the grand mother - or one person per visit.

    Now the children may be taken into permanent foster care until the mother is 'fit' to look after them.

    Also I think the Government are making the decision of who should look after the children including subjection of the family.

    Can someone tell me about why this seems so extreme, could the mother have an underlying problem?

    Thanks
    NowWhat's Avatar
    NowWhat Posts: 1,634, Reputation: 264
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    #2

    Nov 3, 2008, 07:16 AM

    Honestly, after reading this - it sounds like something is missing from the story.
    J_9's Avatar
    J_9 Posts: 40,298, Reputation: 5646
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    #3

    Nov 3, 2008, 07:20 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by breathless1 View Post
    The mother is said to have a 'drinking' problem and is known by the social services and the police.
    Why is she so well known by social services and the police?

    Quote Originally Posted by breathless1 View Post

    Apparently the baby about 8 months old, was found by the baby sitter to have a burn on her cheek that she apparently recieved a days before whilst being with the mother. She told the mother to take the baby to the hospital.
    A burn ANYWHERE on an 8 month old is a direct result of child abuse.

    I too have a feeling there is much more left out of this story.
    450donn's Avatar
    450donn Posts: 1,821, Reputation: 239
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    #4

    Nov 3, 2008, 01:19 PM

    It varies somewhat from state to state, but generally speaking when a child is taken by the state and they are placed in the "system' the parent looses almost every right to that child. A social worker becomes the mother/father to that child and is tasked with making sure that the child is protected, placed with a safe family that will support that child and allow them to grow to an adult with as little trauma as possible. Tall orders, and it generally does not work very well. But the flip side is the police having to deal with a dead child and a parent strung out on drugs.
    liz28's Avatar
    liz28 Posts: 4,662, Reputation: 1034
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    #5

    Nov 3, 2008, 01:29 PM

    Child protective service main focus is to protect the child. They would do anything to keep the child and mother together and usually try to help the family. They even set up a plan to help the mother with any problems or addictions and once the mother doesn't complete what is supoose to be done, even after they give them another chance, then the child can be remove.

    If the child was remove from the family there is a reason for it and the agency does state why. They don't remove your child just because or without telling you and I am pretty sure that your daughter went to court and again it was explain.

    Your daughter did something wrong and if you knew about her wrong doing you should have step in a long time ago because it lead to the child being taken away.

    The only thing I can say is review the report and your questions will be answered.
    N0help4u's Avatar
    N0help4u Posts: 19,823, Reputation: 2035
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    #6

    Nov 4, 2008, 06:46 PM

    Yeap, they say once they see any sign of abuse it means there is ON GOING abuse. They claim there is no such thing as one time abuse and nothing more to it. Especially if the mother is 'know to social service and police -it means they have been called before over issues. Then her having alcohol problems only amplifies and justifies their suspicions as far as they are concerned. So even if the abuse is a one time thing it is going to be basically impossible for her to prove. All she can do is go along with whatever they say or they will claim that she is non compliant.
    breathless1's Avatar
    breathless1 Posts: 59, Reputation: 2
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    #7

    Nov 5, 2008, 03:03 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by liz28 View Post
    Child protective service main focus is to protect the child. They would do anything to keep the child and mother together and usually try to help the family. They even set up a plan to help the mother with any problems or addictions and once the mother doesn't complete what is supoose to be done, even after they give them another chance, then the child can be remove.

    If the child was remove from the family there is a reason for it and the agency does state why. They don't remove your child just because or without telling you and I am pretty sure that your daughter went to court and again it was explain.

    Your daughter did something wrong and if you knew about her wrong doing you should have step in a long time ago because it lead to the child being taken away.

    The only thing I can say is review the report and your questions will be answered.
    They seem to have taken the children into temporary foster care whilst they give her visitation rights. They have also told her to go to alcoholics rehabilitation. I think that is the attempt to "help the family".

    The question is for how long?
    breathless1's Avatar
    breathless1 Posts: 59, Reputation: 2
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    #8

    Nov 5, 2008, 05:35 AM
    Foster care evaluation
    Can an exeprt or person the in foster care field tell me...

    If a twin sister 32 years old wanted to look after the children of the other sister, her 2 year old and 6 month old, would the Government let her?

    The sister has been in trouble with he police before as a teanager got a record for credit card fraud, over 10 years spent. She has had to pay a benefit fraud fine too nearly 5 years spent and a bus ticket fine.

    But now she is in full time work with a massive security company, has her own private basement flat, (rented), and has been a member of a Church for 4 years.

    The flat is a studio but a massive one with the front room and bedroom split into 2. She could easily apply for a 2 bedroom for the children under an urgent priority category.

    The mother is saying that they are not close etc although he sister has been slowly visiting with the mother (nan) to help her with the kids.

    The mother is supposedly an alcoholic and the children are currently in foster care.

    The sister has told her to consider having her look after them instead.

    There is no problem of dispute or bad relationship between the sisters at all. Just that the mother has problems that she has not fully explained to the mother or sister and is suppose to be going into rehabilitation for alcoholism.

    What do the authorities take into consideration for foster carer's? Thanks.
    ScottGem's Avatar
    ScottGem Posts: 64,966, Reputation: 6056
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    #9

    Nov 5, 2008, 06:51 AM
    Foster care agencies generally prefer to place children with relatives if they qualify. So the best thing to do is go to the agency and tell them the sister wants to take in the kids.

    The agency will evaluate the sister and report their findings.

    P.S. I merged your two threads. Please don't start a new thread on the same issue.
    liz28's Avatar
    liz28 Posts: 4,662, Reputation: 1034
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    #10

    Nov 5, 2008, 08:56 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by breathless1 View Post
    They seem to have taken the children into temporary foster care whilst they give her visitation rights. They have also told her to go to alcoholics rehabilitation. I think that is the attempt to "help the family".

    The question is for how long?
    If they already took and placed the kids in foster care and if a relative was willing to take the kids then why didn't the relative step up?

    Most likely the mother would have to complete the program and might be given parenting class. As long as see keeps her visitations with the kids and prove to the state that she is fit to be a mother than she might get her kids back and she will still be visited by a case worker until they close the case. Nobody knows how long this can take because it solely depends on the mother.

    If a relative wants to step up and take the kids then they should contact the caseworker because they might can do kinship and will have a home visit, have a background check, be finger printed, etc They won't have to attend a class to become a foster parent since they are relatives but must do the other requirements. Also, they might have to be at 21 or older. Just contact the angency.
    breathless1's Avatar
    breathless1 Posts: 59, Reputation: 2
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    #11

    Nov 5, 2008, 09:05 AM
    Governmental Requirements
    What does the Government require for family members to Foster other Family members Children?

    Thanks
    breathless1's Avatar
    breathless1 Posts: 59, Reputation: 2
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    #12

    Nov 5, 2008, 09:12 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by liz28 View Post
    If they already took and placed the kids in foster care and if a relative was willing to take the kids then why didn't the relative step up?

    Most likely the mother would have to complete the program and might be given parenting class. As long as see keeps her visitations with the kids and prove to the state that she is fit to be a mother than she might get her kids back and she will still be visited by a case worker until they close the case. Nobody knows how long this can take because it solely depends on the mother.

    If a relative wants to step up and take the kids then they should contact the caseworker because they might can do kinship and will have a home visit, have a background check, be finger printed, etc They won't have to attend a class to become a foster parent since they are relatives but must do the other requirements. Also, they might have to be at 21 or older. Just contact the angency.

    The mother said that she is not close to this family member although no one else in the family has helped her and they are the people she turned to for two years!

    The relative told her that when she's ready to talk... So far she hasn't. They have no problems just don't talk very much.

    The family member was surprise that the mother would under these circumstances allow strangers to foster care for her young children instead?

    Thanks
    ScottGem's Avatar
    ScottGem Posts: 64,966, Reputation: 6056
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    #13

    Nov 5, 2008, 09:25 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by breathless1 View Post
    What does the Government require for family members to Foster other Family members Children?

    Thanks
    Again, Please do not keepi starting new threads for the same issue.

    Foster Care requiresments are generally set on the state level. Some large cities amy have their own requirements. So you need to contact the local family services agency.
    breathless1's Avatar
    breathless1 Posts: 59, Reputation: 2
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    #14

    Nov 6, 2008, 02:43 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by ScottGem View Post
    Again, Please do not keepi starting new threads for the same issue.

    Foster Care requiresments are generally set on the state level. Some large cities amy have their own requirements. So you need to contact the local family services agency.
    How shocking! Do you actually have the access to remove my questions?

    My intention was only to get as much details as possible from experienced people or professionals on this subject the resource is very useful.

    Sorry if you feel I have abused this service.



    Kind Regards
    breathless1's Avatar
    breathless1 Posts: 59, Reputation: 2
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    #15

    Nov 6, 2008, 02:47 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by ScottGem View Post
    Again, Please do not keepi starting new threads for the same issue.

    Foster Care requiresments are generally set on the state level. Some large cities amy have their own requirements. So you need to contact the local family services agency.
    And you have discouraged me from using this servcie.

    I thought the questions were read at the discretion of users only.
    ScottGem's Avatar
    ScottGem Posts: 64,966, Reputation: 6056
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    #16

    Nov 6, 2008, 06:51 AM

    Excuse me? This site has a strucutre and organization. There are also rules and guidelines for its use. We, who have been doing this for many, many years have come to realize what works and what doesn't. One of the things we have found is that askers get the best help when all the information about an issue is kept together. Too often we have found that a poster will post a question, then start a new thread for a related question. Someone will answer not knowing the history and give the wrong advice. So its to YOUR benefit to keep the thread together.
    J_9's Avatar
    J_9 Posts: 40,298, Reputation: 5646
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    #17

    Nov 6, 2008, 07:06 AM
    To add to what Scott said, yes, some of us are able to merge posts together as well as close and/or delete other threads that violate the TOS of the site.

    The questions are read by users as well as Supermoderators, like Scott and myself, as well as the Administration of the site.

    Please don't be discouraged from using the site, merges such as the one(s) Scott made here keep the site running smoothly and insure that you will get the best most accurate advice on the site.
    breathless1's Avatar
    breathless1 Posts: 59, Reputation: 2
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    #18

    Nov 6, 2008, 09:01 AM

    Ok no problem, thanks.
    J_9's Avatar
    J_9 Posts: 40,298, Reputation: 5646
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    #19

    Nov 6, 2008, 09:02 AM
    I'm happy you understand.
    breathless1's Avatar
    breathless1 Posts: 59, Reputation: 2
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    #20

    Nov 6, 2008, 09:06 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by ScottGem View Post
    Excuse me? This site has a strucutre and organization. There are also rules and guidelines for its use. We, who have been doing this for many, many years have come to realize what works and what doesn't. One of the things we have found is that askers get the best help when all the information about an issue is kept together. Too often we have found that a poster will post a question, then start a new thread for a related question. Someone will answer not knowing the history and give the wrong advice. So its to YOUR benefit to keep the thread together.
    Ok, great. I guess I'll leave it to the professionals next time.

    I think I've been asking too many questions anyway.

    Time to log out

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