Why doesn't the Department believe me?

Try not to think about this in terms of the Department not believing you - rather that the Department has a duty to take the child's concerns seriously and conduct a thorough investigation in every case.

You should have received information from your Fostering Service about their complaints and representations (allegations) procedure, which will have explained this.

Often carers feel that their Link or Supervising Social Worker has decided their guilt and demonstrated this by turning away from supporting them. This is not the case, rather their first duty is to the welfare of the child and that to continue a relationship with you may jeopardise their credibility as a witness if they were asked to give evidence to the Fostering Panel or Court.

It is often felt that at the very point you need them most they are unable to help but they have no choice in the matter. Fostering Support Ltd is keen to ensure that foster carers understand how the Fostering Service must abide by Fostering Regulations and step back from the investigation in everyone's best interests. You can ask for independent support from the very day that an allegation is made against you, and indeed I would recommend that you have this support in place in time for any child protection case conference (usually within 24-48 hours of the referral) that may be convened.