A DESPERATE York woman says she will leave a teenage girl at council offices unless she is given some financial help to continue looking after her.

Mary Harris, 54, of Middleton Road, Acomb, said she wanted to officially foster Kaye Chadwick, 15, whom she has looked after since the death of her mother Susan Chadwick, 36, almost four months ago.

But the mother-of-three, who has fostered children before, said she had received no financial help from City of York Council, despite contacting them as soon as her neighbour died.

Miss Harris's next-door neighbour, Niki Hood, 36, a mother-of-two, is in the same situation after she took in Kaye's 11-year-old brother, Adam, from family members six weeks ago.

Mrs Chadwick, who had been ill for some time, died in hospital while receiving treatment for diabetes and kidney failure. Both her children seem to be content in their current homes, and Kaye said she wanted to stay where she was.

Unemployed Miss Harris said her partner's income varied significantly by up to £200 per week. The couple claim working family tax credit.

Newly-qualified teacher Ms Hood is expecting to start supply work soon and said her partner was on a low income.

Both women are claiming £10.50 a week in family allowance, but say they are unable to buy clothes and other things that the youngsters need.

A City of York Council spokeswoman said the children's father was financially responsible because the women had effectively entered into a private fostering arrangement.

The children's father, Andy Chadwick, 37, who separated from his wife more than two years ago and now lives with his new partner in Foxwood, said he was unable to house his children and could only contribute a small amount towards their upkeep.

He said: "I can only do the best for them and I can't afford to pay much. There's just no way."

Miss Harris said she was offered £150 over three weeks by the council yesterday, but was keen to secure long-term support.

She said: "I never agreed to a fostering agreement with the family. As far as I am concerned, no one was willing to take the girl in and I wanted to help.

"I really want to keep her here with me, but my own kid is suffering because I can't afford it.

"It's got so desperate that I will pick Kaye up and bring her down to the social workers, if they think you can raise a child on nothing then let them do it.

"I'm sorry it's had to come to this because the child will suffer, but the council is forcing me into it. I think they are waiting until she is 16 and then they can wash their hands of her."

Ms Hood, said: "I'm prepared to take physical and emotional responsibility for Adam but financial responsibility I just can't do.

"Everyone has agreed that the children are best off here but it's not going to be the best place for them if it's causing financial hardship to everybody."

Ruth Love, group manager, Children's Services, City of York Council, said only children in the council's care can be placed with registered foster carers who are assessed and given an allowance.

She said: "Where children are placed by private arrangement (private fostering) as in this situation, the children's parents remain responsible for this arrangement and the local authority's role is to assess the arrangement and report back to the parent on its suitability.

"We are in ongoing discussion with the children's father regarding the best way forward for these particular children."

Updated: 10:47 Thursday, October 16, 2003