OUT OF THE BLUE

 We had an "unannounced visit" today.

An unanounced visit is a brilliant Blue Sky feature. They simply show up at your place, big smiles, and say "Hi! Unannounced visit!"

The idea is that foster parents can tidy up the house when we know a social worker is due and make sure the child's room is in order.

And that there's no bleach in the downstairs toilet. By which I mean that there can be bleach in the toilet bowl, but not a bottle of bleach left out on top of the cistern.

Okay it could be slightly awkward because the bottom line is that we foster parents are under scrutiny, but the deal is that your social worker is your friend and ally and they're not trying to catch you out.

There are a number of guidelines in fostering which I suspect are there because of hiccups that happened way back that need to be legislated against. For example, foster parents are encouraged to put foster children in the rear seat of the car where possible. I was told by a Blue Sky high-up that the guideline stems from an incident where a teenage girl being driven in a car claimed the foster parent brushed her knee when he changed gear.

These things are few and far between in fostering, but it gives you an idea of the extent that Blue Sky go to to keep their Carers safe.

So. 

If you're new to fostering, or are thinking about it, let me give you a quick pen picture of a typical "unannounced visit". Then I'll tell you why they are ABSOLUTELY CRUCIAL  to fostering.

The doorbell rings and it's your Blue Sky Social Worker, a person you've come to appreciate enormously because they are on your side, they have your back, they are behind you all the way.

"Hello!" they beam, "Unannounced visit". 

They don't ask if they can come in. They know they can, it's the deal with Blue Sky. Nor do they march in taking notes and checking surfaces for dust or grease.

No.

Know what they do? They sit down at your invitation and when you ask "What would you like to drink; tea, coffee?" they plump for herbal.

Happy conversation ensues.

Two hours of it. 

Laughter, serious stuff; talk of what's good on Netflix, how stupidly fixated are our men on football, blah blah.

On this ocassion a foster child came down, curious about the noise from the kitchen. Our SW was brilliant, chatted away with a shy damaged child ten to the dozen. Joy to watch.

See, they're not checking that you've locked your foster child into the cupboard under the stairs (I'LL COME TO THAT PRONTO), they check those things, of course, but mostly ensure that the feel of the house is at all times how it is then they have their scheduled appointments.

The tenor. The general day to day of positive fostering.

Why are unannounced visits so important?

Years ago a child came to us who had been rescued from a terrrible environment. Neighbours had tipped off Social Services that children had been heard crying and screaming all day and night. 

Social Services despatched a new young recruit to investigate. She phoned ahead and made an appontment to visit. 

The perpetrator went to work on prepping the children to appear happy and well, threatening them with all sorts of retribution if they appeared in any way unhappy. Or damaged. Or worse.

Long story short, it took 3 years before Social Services finally woke up to what was going on on the house. All because they made pre-appointments to visit.

The children in the house are now rescued and making their way in life. 

Actually, one of the children, who's been with Blue Sky fostering for 10 years, is being prepared for Cambridge and a Humanities year.

I'd love to tell you how well mine have done from being fostered, but there's a blanket over key cases so you'll have to take my word. 

I never knew I had it in me.

A persons needs to have been round the block to foster. Most of us have, without knowing.

Fancy a try at the best thing going?