I am currently working with a family where the child lives with his grandmother (she has a residence order), but she is seeking financial support from Social Care, as she had to give up her job to have him.

Does anyone else have experience of this sort of situation? I have been told that some local authorities will financially support grandparents and have heard the figure of about £60 per week. This doesn't seem much does it? She has requested foster carer allowance, as if the child did not live with her then she would be accommodated.

 I have put her in touch with grandparent support network, and they have sent out some information for her, but the stress is making her ill and I kind of feel that I should be doing more.

I think this is a national problem, with children been placed with grandparents, who are then not properly supported.

The question you may like to ask is Who supported the Residence Order?. If it was the LA that placed the child with the grandparent and supported the Residence Order then they have an obligation to financially support the placement even if at the time she was working. I have had a similar case and the LA had tho back down and pay a fostering style allowance which was means tested. They may not at first agree or like it but the grandparent should go for it.