[Busyfostermom]

Has anyone every dealt with a social worker who was new and/or had no idea of what they were doing? What do you do? How can you get anything done? What if they are never at work and do not return phone calls? What if their supervisor is the same way? Help!

[L-A-J-C-R-C]

Her supervisor has a boss too, keep going up the chain of command, you'll eventually catch someone.

We go through something similar but our's is our adoption worker so I can definitely understand your frustration. We finally contacted the SRA and if we don't see any improvement we will file an official complaint.

Best of luck.

Michelle

[Busyfostermom]

Thanks Michelle. I guess I just did not want to go too high but that might be what it will take. We hope to adopt this little one that's why we are pushing so hard to have her placed.

[L-A-J-C-R-C]

I never wanted to "make waves" either but we've had our 2 since 10/02, tpr was last March, enough's enough already. The adoption should have been finalized a long time ago. I finally let my dh get involved.

You don't want to go through what I have gone through. At our MAPP classes we're taught foster parents are PARTNERS with the social worker, DCS, I don't hesitate to remind them of that lol.

Best of luck,

Michelle

[jgalt]

Originally Posted by Busyfostermom

Has anyone every dealt with a social worker who was new/had no idea of what they were doing/never at work/do not return phone calls

Sounds like a typical SW to me Really... the system does not seem to work for anyone BP, FP or kids. But I've spoken to several aliens here at work, and they remind me what a great system we do have when compared to other countries. What is it you are trying to do? Is there another resource you have bonded with? We get along awesomely with out SW, and get along well with our CSW. But if we make a call, we just assume we won't get a return call for at least a day. We also have kept in contact with some of our trainers (one who was also a key figure in the placement division).

In our case, especially at first, we needed so much hand holding. We've really learned to relax. But we still document everything and make attempts. We've been very disappointed in the support network. We really thought we'd have access to way more than we do, and we really thought there was an advocacy concern for the children. But foster parents seem to be viewed as nothing but storage facilities relegating children to the status of furniture. As long as the roof does not leak, and the furniture is basically stored safely there isn't much more to be done.

[2Smiles]

Do you have a "CASA" worker too (Court Appointed Special Advicate)? They call them different things in different states. They work with you and the SW and they independant look out solely for the child's best interest. Our sw was a nightmare but we had a great CASA worker. The CASA worker has less children that they are responsible for....and so she was much easier to get a hold of. The other big help was our child's therapist. If the child is not in therapy I would suggest that you do that so that the child has another voice that can be heard in court. The more people you have on your "team" the less you have to rely solely on the sw.


-Christine

[Busyfostermom]

Many thanks to all who responded! Well, I was actually able to meet our daughter today! Her Fm dropped her off and she spent the whole day with me and then part with the rest of our family. She was here for about 6 hours and I did not want her to go home! She should be coming next Sunday and this will be her home! I can't wait and again thanks!

[2Smiles]

That's GREAT!

[Busyfostermom]

Well, our little one has been with us since March 20th, 2004. She is doing well and has no sings of attachment issues. We had a developmental evaluation done but they said she sounds like she will not qualify for any services. It is such a nice change to have a healthy, happy and on target little girl. Her TPR is in July.

Shelly

[L-A-J-C-R-C]

Congratulations Shelly, I'm happy to hear things are going well.

Michelle

[jolean12]

Congratulations!!! Glad everything is working out

[hubbyswife]

CoNgRaTs!!

Just wanted to add tho, our sw is also new and doesn't return calls, neither does her supervisor...

[Busyfostermom]

Hubbyswife,
We are planning to travel this summer and I know we need to get permission to take Little B with us. The only problem is how can we get permission if her sw does not call back? I told him on the message we have a few months so I thought I would start asking early. I hope we have enough time to get an answer before August. Since we are going out of state it is important to get permission first. I will just have to keep calling him until I get an answer. We will see.
Shelly

[L-A-J-C-R-C]

Is it possible for you two to correspond via e-mail with your workers? This way you have it documented that you have been trying to reach him/her. If you don't get anywhere start sending their supervisor a copy and keep going up the line if need be.

I have reached the limits of my patience with lazy workers and I no longer hesitate to call the head muckety-muck in our region. I no longer go through the chain of command. They don't deserve it.

Best of luck and stay on top of them.

Michelle

[RavenScout]

So you don't worry about upsetting the workers and ticking them off? We have run into difficulties but have been told to try to not make waves.