What happens to the kids?

I have posted simular before but this is more specific.
I wonder if you can help me. I am writing a novel set in 1999 in which I have six kids who are orphaned when their parents are murdered. I have a couple of questions that I was wondering if you might be able to answer for me.



They are aged 24, 20 16, 8 & 4 can you tell me if the elder siblings would realistically be allowed to look after and become guardians for the younger ones. If so what requirements would my social services department put on them legally? I have it in my novel that there are no other family members who are able to take on the kids and elder siblings do not want them top go into care.



Would they require constant supervision from Social Services or other agencies, what form would this likely take?





I would appreciate any help that you might be able to offer.

I believe so. My family used to foster children and at one point an older brother of a foster child was considering doing just that. I think we had been in care himself until 18 but he had been set up with a flat thanks to soical services and was considering caring for his sister.
These kids come out of care at 18. They may even be offered a bed sit at age 15-18. This is based on experience so I'm unsure of the actual rules.
With that number of children it's difficult say. The younger ones would likely remain under the supervision of Social services even if they are cared for by teh older siblings and they would monitored just as all children in care are.

Yes, they would. I think they'd have to go through social services and plead their case, but since the older siblings are adults, I don't see why it'd be a problem. I think it'd be a simple matter of transferring guardianship. I think social services would only monitor if the eldest sibling were say, 18 or so. A 24 and 20 year-old would be considered competent if they held a stable job, I would think. My parents asked my husband and myself if we'd be willing to take my brother ( 9 at the time) if anything had happened to them.

Social Services has enough on thier hands, if ANY relitive of legal age will take the kids, that's pretty much the end of it. None of the children are infants, so baring any psycological or financial issue, the younger children's custody would fall to the nearest relitive who would and could take them.

well if they are over 18 they will have full guardian ship over the ones that are not of age.

therefor unless the guardians are 18 even though can look after the kids legally they would have visits from the social


love to read a rough copy once you have finished I'm writing a book to but having a block but i love to read