Does anybody with rheumatoid arthritis foster? I have had RA for 8 yrs but my husband and I are considering fostering older children 11 yrs+ I want to know if having RA will stop us from doing this? Does anyone have experience of this or know anyone who has RA and is fostering? My husband works full time, I would be the primary foster carer.
Any comments would be much appreciated.
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It's a great thing you are planning to do and I wish you lots of luck with your application.
I don't have direct experience of having RA and fostering but I know there are a couple of peeps here on the forum who do have arther and foster....whether they had arther prior to making their fostering applications ..I don't know, sorry. But I hope they will see your post and maybe be able to answer your question.
The only suggestion I can make is to contact either social services or the organisation Foster Plus (depends where you live) and ask their advice? I used to work in social services and we could not/ did not discriminate on grounds of disability as that does not exclude applicants who are in all other ways suitable candidates. That was a number of years ago and if you have any doubts you're right to check it out. I think the important question to be answered is whether RA significantly affects or impedes your ability and that is a very complex question and needs careful assessing.
As I said...I am talking from earlier experience but I would think social services or the local fostering agency will be very happy to discuss it all with you......they will not want to lose potentially great foster parents and I'm sure they will help in any way they can. good luck! Iris x
Peeps with disabilities can foster and social care and health are in theory very into "equal ops." I think each case would be taken on its own merits. The assessment to be a foster carer is very indepth and takes many months.
I have OA. I fostered in various forms for years -I started as a respite carer for children with disabilities - took a break whilst I had my left hip replaced, returned to respite caring and then became a long term foster carer. My foster son is now grown up and still lives with me (he has autism) and we are now transferring to adult services ... should have happened when he turned 18 - but the cogs of social services turn ever slowly and inefficiently ...
Definitely contact social services to find out more. Some areas have drop in centres where you can pop in for an informal chat and to find out more.
Let me know what happens.
Speedalong
I think people who choose to foster are amazing. I have found a document and in th 11c info it say about having a medical and talking to you GP and Rummy about it.
http://www.fostering.org.uk/information/pdfs/homestdy.pdf
Hope this helps and good luck.
xxxxx
Will ask at uni for you if you want, seens as I am studying to be a Social Worker lol
xxxx Claire
xxxx
good luck with your meeting and I hope you go head with the application. Iris x
Hope all goes ok and let us know.
Take care
xxxx Claire
xx
Speedalong
keep us posted. Iris x
Love Claire
xxxxx