single grandparent raising grandchild

by Judi
(Walsall)

I am a 56yr old single grandparent. I have four grown up children. I have six grandchildren.
I have been raising my 8yr old grand daughter for 5 years due to her being removed during an early morning police raid due to my youngest daughter's involvement with drugs. My daughter is a crack, heroin user and prostitute.

I have suffered badly in the past with depression. I still get low at times now. We get no support and no financial help like foster care givers do.

I went to court two years ago to try to get residence allowance. I was awarded £90 per week. Social services did not say a time span in court. They only paid me for 7 months then it stopped. I have been trying ever since to get it back to court but my solicitor is useless.

I have advertised twice in the past to find another single grandparent raising a grandchild alone but have been unsuccessful. Its very hard alone.

Also if i were a foster carer, I would be classified as working. I have been out of work for 6 years due to my depression but now I have been told that because my granddaughter is 8, I must return to work.

I don't know who will look after her while I work as I don't have a family support network or friends. Don't want to leave her with strangers she has been through enough.

I also don't feel that I could hold down a regular job due to how stressed I am and how low I get at times.

I am worried about how much to say about how I feel in case they take my grand daughter away from me. She is not in any danger. I love her to bits. That's why I took her on. Could just do with some support or someone in same position to share with.