Residency of niece

[jedimistress]

My niece and nephew are on the Child Protection Register and I have the children in my care on a voluntary basis. I would like to make it permanent. What would my chances be of being granted residency given they are on the CPR? The CPR is to be reviewed in 3 months but I do not feel this is enough time for someone who has neglected and been drunk for 16, and in charge of children for 9 years to turn their life around. I would like security and a secure future for the children. Any advice very welcome, Thanks.

[pinktwink]

it will primarilt depend on the concerns of the CPS, the progress and willingness of their mum to receive help, their mums continued agreement for them to remain in care and failing that if social services would be successful in care proceedings if their mum withdrew her consent to voluntary care. Whilst the matter may be reviewed in 3 monthe their mum will be advised of the importance of seeking treatment to secure the return home of her children.
You and your family will be reqiuired to undertake an assessment of your ability to provide long term care for the children should yee wish to seek to care for them on a lengthy basis

[oldmaggie]

First of all well done in taking care of your niece and nephew. When you say the children are with you on a voluntary basis is this with just the agreement of social services or was it taken to family court and an uncontested residency order granted ? If the mother makes an effort to clean up her act the childrfen will not be returned to her without an in depth investigation into her present way of life. They only way you can help the children at the moment is to give then love and a stable life. You could go for special guardianship via the courts but it is early days in the situation but you could talk to Child Protection letting them know you have this solution in mind. Any evidence you have that the mother is continuing to present herself in an intoxicated manner should be gathered and presented to child protection, sneeky but you are only trying to protect the children. Finally, family court judges and magistrates aren't daft and the mother will have to work hard at proving that she is able to look after the children, the mantra is that the childs welfare is paramount.

[jedimistress]

Thanks both. They are with me on a voluntry basis following the CP meeting and social servcies recommendation. This is for at least 7 months. It has taken years to get to this stage. My sister has since asked me to adopt her children as she cannot go through the pressure of meetings and cannot promise not to drink again. We will go to the courts amicably as this is what we both want. We just need to find out what is the best arrangemnet, residency, custodianship or another option which I will research and maybe come back here to find out.

[oldmaggie]

The new order special guardianship is being used quite a lot now. It is just short of actual adoption the children will be with you permanently you have parental responsibility.