foster care fortnight https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/ en Foster Care Fortnight 2021 https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/fcf21 <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--title--page.html.twig x field--node--title.html.twig * field--node--page.html.twig * field--title.html.twig * field--string.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--title.html.twig' --> <span property="schema:name">Foster Care Fortnight 2021</span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--title.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--uid--page.html.twig x field--node--uid.html.twig * field--node--page.html.twig * field--uid.html.twig * field--entity-reference.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--uid.html.twig' --> <span rel="schema:author"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'username' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/user/templates/username.html.twig' --> <span lang="" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="">DavidEggboro</span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/user/templates/username.html.twig' --> </span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--uid.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--created--page.html.twig x field--node--created.html.twig * field--node--page.html.twig * field--created.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--created.html.twig' --> <span property="schema:dateCreated" content="2021-02-19T20:46:46+00:00">Fri, 02/19/2021 - 20:46</span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--created.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-introduction--page.html.twig * field--node--field-introduction.html.twig * field--node--page.html.twig * field--field-introduction.html.twig * field--text-long.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-introduction field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field--item"><p><b>Foster Care Fortnight<sup>TM</sup> is The Fostering Network's annual campaign to raise awareness of the transformational power of fostering and to celebrate the fostering community.</b></p> <p><strong>Foster Care Fortnight 2021 took place from 10-23 May</strong><b>.</b></p> <p> </p> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--body--page.html.twig * field--node--body.html.twig * field--node--page.html.twig * field--body.html.twig * field--text-with-summary.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div property="schema:text" class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field--item"><p>The theme for the fortnight was #WhyWeCare. This theme was decided upon through consulting with foster carers and care experienced children and young people from England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.</p> <p>The Fostering Network asked the whole fostering community, from foster carers to fostering services and care experienced children and young people, from fundraisers to campaigners, and everyone in between who cares about the lives of children in care to step up and tell the world #WhyWeCare. <span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif">Thank you to </span></span></span><span style="border-bottom:transparent; user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="background-image:var(--urlAdvancedProofingIssueV2,url(&quot;data:image/svg+xml"><span style="background-position-x:0%"><span style="background-position-y:100%">each and every</span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"> one of you who got involved</span></span></span> <span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">and helped us raise awareness of foster care.</span></span></span> </p> <p><span>Throughout Foster Care Fortnight 2021, the fostering community – from care experienced young people, and foster carers to their sons and daughters, and social workers – came together to spread the word about fostering and share their reflections on this year’s theme, #WhyWeCare. Together, we showed that fostering is not only a viable career option for anyone who wants to transform children’s lives and their own for years to come, but a vocation for many who take the step.</span></p> <p><br /> <span>We kicked off this year’s campaign with a takeover of former professional footballer Neville Southall’s Twitter account to bust myths around fostering, share facts and figures, and give people outside the community an insight into what fostering is like. We were also pleased to see how many influential people backed our campaign. This included politicians from across the UK, such as Conor Murphy, Northern Ireland’s Minister of Finance and Vicky Ford, the children’s minister for England, as well as TV star Lydia Bright.  </span></p> <p><span><strong>Thanks to fostering services across the UK</strong> <br /> This year’s Foster Care Fortnight was a huge success, not least thanks to the tireless efforts of fostering services all across the UK. Hundreds got on board and supported the campaign on and offline. They created videos to reach out to new potential foster carers in their local area, posted placard pictures to tell the world why they care and secured local media coverage.  </span></p> <p><span>In total, we were featured in over 900 pieces of media coverage across TV, radio, online and print, reaching more than 27 million people with our message. Media outlets that covered Foster Care Fortnight included both local, regional and national media such as The Independent, ITV, BBC, and Sky News; as well as the Liverpool Echo, Cornish Times, Heart Yorkshire, Ballymoney Chronicle or South Cambrian News.  <br />  <br /> <strong>Trending on Twitter</strong> <br /> To our great joy we also managed to create a huge impact on social media. Throughout the fortnight we shared clips of members of the fostering community telling us why they care about fostering which were a huge success and shared widely. Moreover, our main campaign video had almost 19,000 views across Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and on top of that – for the first time ever – Foster Care Fortnight was trending on Twitter.  </span></p> <p><span>Foster Care Fortnight saw events take place right across the UK, including a special event to recognise the contribution of foster carers during the Covid-19 pandemic, and to remember those who sadly lost their lives.  </span></p> <p><span>Other highlights from the fortnight included:</span></p> <ul> <li><span>Minister of Health in Northern Ireland, Robin Swann, launching the campaign, </span></li> <li><span>young people from across Scotland sharing their educational resources for teachers, </span></li> <li><span>and foster carers and social workers in Wales learning more about supporting unaccompanied asylum seeking children and young people. </span></li> </ul> <p> </p> <p><span>The Fostering Network hosted 13 other events, from coffee mornings for foster and kinship carers through to shared learning sessions, and fostering services in all four nations held their own incredible celebration events. </span></p> <p><span>Even though this was the second Foster Care Fortnight that we had to run with Covid-19 restrictions in place, it was also one of our most successful so far. The engagement from the community this year was second to none, which was also reflected in the (record) number of people who took part in Foster Walk during the campaign. For this we can’t thank you enough.  </span></p> <p><span>We are so grateful for the support Foster Care Fortnight received from all our members and supporters and hope you’ll be helping us make next year’s Foster Care Fortnight even bigger! </span></p> <div class="paragraph" paraeid="{26e16284-1e99-48fb-8c29-d0a7eec564cb}{95}" paraid="1076844294"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span>  </span></span></span></div> <p style="margin-bottom:11px"><br />  </p> <dl class="ckeditor-accordion"> <dt> <h3>Could you foster?</h3> </dt> <dd> <p><span>Every year, tens of thousands of children across the UK need foster carers while they can't live with their own families. That means thousands of new foster carers are needed every year. Could you be one of them?</span></p> <p><a class="button" href="https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/advice-information/could-you-foster">Find out more about being a foster carer</a></p> </dd> <dt><span>Support foster care now and in the future</span></dt> <dd> <p>Donations allow us to help raise awareness of the importance of fostering, campaign for improvements in fostering and highlight the need for more foster carers. However you choose to support our work, thank you.</p> <p><a class="button" href="https://donate.justgiving.com/donation-amount?uri=aHR0cHM6Ly9kb25hdGUtYXBpLmp1c3RnaXZpbmcuY29tL2FwaS9kb25hdGlvbnMvY2I2ZDc0MzA1ZTZmNGVhMmFhYTZjNDc3OWNkMGQ2NzQ=">Make a donation today</a>  </p> <p><a class="button" href="https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/fundraise/legacies-and-in-memory-gifts">Leave a legacy</a></p> </dd> <dt><span>Add your voice to our campaigns</span></dt> <dd> <p>Together with our members and supporters we are a powerful catalyst for change, and we've been leading the fostering agenda for more than 40 years, influencing and shaping policy and practice at every level. As well as our ongoing meetings and communications with decision-makers, our campaigning relies on the involvement of our members and supporters.</p> <p><a class="button" href="https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/get-involved/our-campaigns/campaign-us">Become a campaigner</a></p> </dd> <dt><span>Partner with us</span></dt> <dd> <p><span>As the UK’s leading fostering charity at the forefront of bringing improvements to foster care, we have big ambitions and we need your support to be able to achieve them.</span></p> <p><a class="button" href="https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/fundraise/partner-us">Ask about partnerships</a></p> </dd> <dt><span>Follow us</span></dt> <dd> <p>Keep up to date with our work.</p> <ul> <li><a href="http://www.twitter.com/fosteringnet">Follow us on Twitter</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.facebook.com/thefosteringnetwork">Follow us on Facebook</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.instagram.com/thefosteringnetwork">Follow us on Instagram</a></li> </ul> </dd> </dl> <p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="428" scrolling="no" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/E8l8vEJvuug" title="YouTube video player" width="763"></iframe></p> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'links__node' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * links--node.html.twig x links.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/tfnetwork/templates/system/links.html.twig' --> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/tfnetwork/templates/system/links.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-content-topic--page.html.twig * field--node--field-content-topic.html.twig * field--node--page.html.twig * field--field-content-topic.html.twig * field--entity-reference.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-content-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field--items"> <div class="field--item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1711" hreflang="en">foster care fortnight</a></div> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-members-only--page.html.twig * field--node--field-members-only.html.twig * field--node--page.html.twig * field--field-members-only.html.twig * field--boolean.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-members-only field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field--item">0</div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> Fri, 19 Feb 2021 20:46:46 +0000 DavidEggboro 12128 at https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk Foster Care Fortnight - engaging the media https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/get-involved/foster-care-fortnight/foster-care-fortnight-fostering-services/foster-care-fortnight <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--title--page.html.twig x field--node--title.html.twig * field--node--page.html.twig * field--title.html.twig * field--string.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--title.html.twig' --> <span property="schema:name">Foster Care Fortnight - engaging the media</span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--title.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--uid--page.html.twig x field--node--uid.html.twig * field--node--page.html.twig * field--uid.html.twig * field--entity-reference.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--uid.html.twig' --> <span rel="schema:author"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'username' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/user/templates/username.html.twig' --> <span lang="" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="">Daniel.Sinclairtfn</span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/user/templates/username.html.twig' --> </span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--uid.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--created--page.html.twig x field--node--created.html.twig * field--node--page.html.twig * field--created.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--created.html.twig' --> <span property="schema:dateCreated" content="2017-01-13T21:42:20+00:00">Fri, 01/13/2017 - 21:42</span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--created.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-introduction--page.html.twig * field--node--field-introduction.html.twig * field--node--page.html.twig * field--field-introduction.html.twig * field--text-long.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-introduction field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field--item"><p>​Foster Care Fortnight<sup>TM</sup> is the UK’s biggest foster care awareness raising campaign, delivered by leading fostering charity, The Fostering Network. Established in 1997, the campaign showcases the commitment, passion and dedication of foster carers. It also supports fostering services to highlight the need for more foster carers.</p> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--body--page.html.twig * field--node--body.html.twig * field--node--page.html.twig * field--body.html.twig * field--text-with-summary.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div property="schema:text" class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field--item"><div paraeid="{afc05425-3a28-4f19-9b53-8a2ce9530332}{214}" paraid="1919580343"> <p class="paragraph"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family:Montserrat"><span style="color:black">Foster care Fortnight receives around 900 pieces of media coverage each year, and The Fostering Network is delighted to receive backing of celebrities and politicans from across the UK who lend their support to our campaign. </span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p class="paragraph" paraeid="{afc05425-3a28-4f19-9b53-8a2ce9530332}{238}" paraid="1750026585"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="overflow-wrap:break-word"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-kerning:none"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span data-contrast="none" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:none !important"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family:Montserrat"><span style="color:black">This page will help fostering services and media teams think through their local media activity as part of their broader Foster Care Fortnight campaign.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p aria-level="2" class="paragraph" paraeid="{afc05425-3a28-4f19-9b53-8a2ce9530332}{244}" paraid="1244727350" role="heading"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="overflow-wrap:break-word"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-kerning:none"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span data-contrast="none" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:none !important"><span data-ccp-parastyle="heading 2" style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family:Montserrat"><span style="color:black">Before you start</span></span></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br /> <span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="overflow-wrap:break-word"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-kerning:none"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span data-contrast="none" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:none !important"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family:Montserrat"><span style="color:black">Before you even start thinking about your media and marketing activity for Foster Care Fortnight</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span data-contrast="none" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:none !important"><sup><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:8.5pt" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family:Montserrat"><span style="color:black"><span data-fontsize="11" style="border-bottom:transparent; user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="background-image:var(--urlSpellingErrorV2, url(&quot;data:image/svg+xml"><span style="background-position-x:0%"><span style="background-position-y:100%">TM</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></sup></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span data-contrast="none" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:none !important"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family:Montserrat"><span style="color:black"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"> 2024, it is worth taking the time to do the following:</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> </div> <div> <dl class="ckeditor-accordion"> <dt> <div><span style="display: inline !important; float: none; background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: &quot;AkkoRoundedPro-Light&quot;,sans-serif; font-size: 26.93px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 30.43px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Set your objectives</span></div> </dt> <dd> <div> <p><strong><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Montserrat">Do you want to focus on recruitment or retention?</span></span></span></span></strong></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Montserrat">Recruiting more foster carers can be challenging, not only in terms of getting the message out to prospective foster carers, but also ensuring the same high quality of handling enquiries when they come in and guiding applicants through the approval process. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Montserrat">You can also acknowledge a large enough pool of foster carers by thanking them both privately with personal gestures and publicly through a video, open letter or advert. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Montserrat">If you are recruiting, how many foster carers do you need to recruit during 2024, and how many enquiries you are hoping to generate as a result of Foster Care Fortnight.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Montserrat">Your service should have a projection of how many new foster carers you may need to recruit throughout the next year. Make that clear through your media work and make your statistics as local as possible. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><strong><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Montserrat">What kind of skills do you need your new foster carers to have?</span></span></span></span></strong></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Montserrat">It is widely thought that you should get as many enquiries as possible and go from there. However, this uses valuable resources you may not have to spare, so instead refine your message and emphasise the skills that new foster carers will need. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><strong><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Montserrat">Do you have a shortage of a particular type of foster carer?</span></span></span></span></strong></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Montserrat">Many people won’t be aware that there are many types of fostering that they can do. In all your media work try to be as clear as possible about what type of foster carers you are looking for - foster carers for teenagers, sibling groups, babies, children with complex needs etc. This will help you attract the right people; but it will also help your fostering teams when it comes to dealing with enquiries and help existing foster carers, some of whom might have 'empty beds', understand why your service is undertaking recruitment activity. </span></span></span></span></p> </div> </dd> <dt> <div><span style="display: inline !important; float: none; background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: &quot;AkkoRoundedPro-Light&quot;,sans-serif; font-size: 26.93px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 30.43px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Know your resources</span></div> </dt> <dd> <p class="paragraph"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family:Montserrat"><span style="color:black">What is your budget?</span></span></span></b> </span></span></span></p> <p class="paragraph" paraeid="{d191d7bd-9f04-4b0c-9223-120bd654a6be}{145}" paraid="309043168"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="overflow-wrap:break-word"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-kerning:none"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span data-contrast="none" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:none !important"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family:Montserrat"><span style="color:black">You don’t need a big budget to run a successful Foster Care Fortnight campaign. Social media and traditional media activity are free or low cost, and exisitng foster carers can help spread the word.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p class="paragraph" paraeid="{d191d7bd-9f04-4b0c-9223-120bd654a6be}{159}" paraid="407391470"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="overflow-wrap:break-word"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-kerning:none"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span data-contrast="none" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:none !important"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family:Montserrat"><span style="color:black">You can also make use of our printable resources. Alternatively, if you have a large budget, the scope for activity is almost endless. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p class="paragraph" paraeid="{d191d7bd-9f04-4b0c-9223-120bd654a6be}{169}" paraid="176248761"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="overflow-wrap:break-word"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-kerning:none"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span data-contrast="none" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:none !important"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family:Montserrat"><span style="color:black">What is important, regardless of your budget, is that you know who you are trying to reach and that you have a compelling 'ask'. Make sure you have a strong case study or two exemplifying the sort of carers you are looking for and which show how foster care transforms lives.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p aria-level="5" class="paragraph" paraeid="{d191d7bd-9f04-4b0c-9223-120bd654a6be}{175}" paraid="1988261175" role="heading"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="overflow-wrap:break-word"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-kerning:none"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span data-contrast="none" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:none !important"><span data-ccp-parastyle="heading 5" style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family:Montserrat"><span style="color:black">Involve your press office</span></span></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p class="paragraph" paraeid="{d191d7bd-9f04-4b0c-9223-120bd654a6be}{181}" paraid="1515696192"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="overflow-wrap:break-word"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-kerning:none"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span data-contrast="none" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:none !important"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family:Montserrat"><span style="color:black">Some fostering services have a dedicated press and marketing team. Others rely on teams which have a broader function. A press office will have established relationships with local media and they will be able to push your foster carers stories. Make sure that you know who the press officer responsible for foster care is and engage them in your work. They're probably very busy, so won't always come to you if you don't go to them. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p class="paragraph" paraeid="{d191d7bd-9f04-4b0c-9223-120bd654a6be}{195}" paraid="2078164242"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="overflow-wrap:break-word"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-kerning:none"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span data-contrast="none" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:none !important"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family:Montserrat"><span style="color:black">We will be providing a template press release the week before Foster Care Fortnight which will link in with our national news story, which you can adapt to meet your needs. Alert your press office to the face that this will be coming and make sure they are sent to the press office as soon as you have it. Of course, you don't need to wait for our release. You can start thinking about local media work now, drafting a press release which will support your objectives. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p class="paragraph" paraeid="{d191d7bd-9f04-4b0c-9223-120bd654a6be}{195}" paraid="2078164242"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="overflow-wrap:break-word"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-kerning:none"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span data-contrast="none" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:none !important"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family:Montserrat"><span style="color:black">Can you find some great case studies of young people who had their futures changes as a result of being fostered? Or some foster cares who say their lives are completely different as a result of fostering. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p class="paragraph" paraeid="{d191d7bd-9f04-4b0c-9223-120bd654a6be}{195}" paraid="2078164242"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="overflow-wrap:break-word"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-kerning:none"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span data-contrast="none" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:none !important"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family:Montserrat"><span style="color:black">You'll also see that we are hoping to engage people outside of fostering by </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family:Montserrat"><span style="color:black">a variety of authentic stories from people who are involved with fostering</span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span data-contrast="none" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:none !important"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family:Montserrat"><span style="color:black">You could involve local celebrities and politicians, by asking them about their knowledge of what fostering is and encouraging them to participate in the campaign through social media support and by appearing in photos, to get some media coverage for your local Foster Care Fortnight activity.</span></span></span> </span></span></span></p> <p class="paragraph" paraeid="{d191d7bd-9f04-4b0c-9223-120bd654a6be}{223}" paraid="2037233380"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="overflow-wrap:break-word"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-kerning:none"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span data-contrast="none" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:none !important"><span data-ccp-parastyle="heading 5" style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family:Montserrat"><span style="color:black">Engage your foster carers</span></span></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p class="paragraph" paraeid="{d191d7bd-9f04-4b0c-9223-120bd654a6be}{239}" paraid="856253414"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="overflow-wrap:break-word"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-kerning:none"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span data-contrast="none" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:none !important"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family:Montserrat"><span style="color:black">Your foster carers are your best recruiters and storytellers, especially if they feel well supported and respected by your service. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p class="paragraph" paraeid="{d191d7bd-9f04-4b0c-9223-120bd654a6be}{245}" paraid="1243469456"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="overflow-wrap:break-word"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-kerning:none"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span data-contrast="none" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:none !important"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family:Montserrat"><span style="color:black">They’re the heart of what you do, and can really win people over, especially if they feel committed to your service. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p class="paragraph"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family:Montserrat"><span style="color:black">With your full support, get them involved in work with journalists, camera and film crews, and get them talking about how incredible foster care is - and how foster care has transformed their lives. </span></span></span></span></span></span></p> </dd> <dt> <div><span style="display: inline !important; float: none; background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: &quot;AkkoRoundedPro-Light&quot;,sans-serif; font-size: 26.93px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 30.43px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Look back</span></div> </dt> <dd> <div> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:Montserrat">Ask your current foster carers how they found you, and why they chose to foster for your service. If your foster carers came to you through word of mouth, then it could be considered an unnecessary expense to run an online advertising campaign. <br /> What has worked for you before? For example, if a stall in your local shopping centre has year on year proved to be your most fruitful activity, then don’t shy away from that.  </span></span></span></span></p> <p paraeid="{a1df4a07-3477-4a31-9e8e-1044f366e182}{54}" paraid="155048342"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:Montserrat">Instead, hold your event, and ask someone to take pictures on your behalf which can be shared through your authority, trust, or organisation’s social media channels. </span></span></span></span></p> </div> </dd> <dt> <div><span style="display: inline !important; float: none; background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: &quot;AkkoRoundedPro-Light&quot;,sans-serif; font-size: 26.93px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 30.43px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">How to engage the media locally</span></div> </dt> <dd> <div style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: &amp;quot;montserrat&amp;quot;,sans-serif; font-size: 13.46px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; outline-color: invert; outline-style: none; outline-width: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> <p style="margin-bottom:13px"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Montserrat">The media can provide a huge boost to any Foster Care Fortnight campaign, but the media landscape is changing - there was a time where you could send a press release to your local newspaper, or ask them in for a photo call, and they would come. This approach can still be effective, especially if you already have a strong relationship with your local media, but this isn’t as successful as it used to be. </span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-bottom:11px"><strong><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Montserrat">Make contact early</span></span></span></span></strong></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Montserrat">As you approach Foster Care Fortnight you may wish to contact, or you may be contacted by, your local newspaper in regard to providing expert editorial for their publication. By doing this you can control your message and gain media coverage. But, be warned, the strategy may not always work as some newspapers may request that you take advertising space around your article. And while newspaper advertising may form part of your recruitment strategy, there are free alternatives. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Montserrat">Many local and regional newspapers and magazines will produce a Foster Care Fortnight supplement. Within this supplement they will publish advertisements and editorial. Usually if you do not pay for an advertisement within the supplement, they will not accept any editorial for the supplement from you – however it is worth asking. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Montserrat">Even if you decide not to buy advertising space in the supplement, it is still worth sending any news or stories you have about fostering to the news desk as usually they’re not connected to the advertising team. If you have undertaken an analysis of your enquiries from previous Foster Care Fortnights, and considered your budget, then you will be able to decide whether you wish to spend all/some of your budget on advertising within the supplement. Be aware that supplements won’t be ‘exclusive’. They will have contacted every fostering service working in your area and so there is the potential that you will be joining other campaigns like yours, rather than standing out from the pack. </span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-bottom:11px"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Montserrat">Please note that The Fostering Network does not actively endorse any supplements, though on occasion we may provide editorial. If a publication suggests otherwise, please email </span></span></span></span><a href="mailto:media@fostering.net">media@fostering.net</a></p> <div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.46px; outline: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; box-sizing: border-box;"><strong><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Montserrat"><span style="color:black">News release</span></span></span></span></span></strong></div> <div paraeid="{a1df4a07-3477-4a31-9e8e-1044f366e182}{131}" paraid="1133885064"> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Montserrat"><span style="color:black">A news release is a free and engaging way of communicating your messages to the local media. Just before the start of the fortnight, The Fostering Network’s media team will share the angle of our national news story with members in confidence and under strict embargo.  </span></span></span></span></span></p> <p>We will share recruitment targets for each region before Foster Care Fortnight, which you can use to shape your own press release. However you don’t have to wait for these figures. You can start thinking about local media work now, drafting a press release which will support your objectives. Can you find some great case studies of young people who have had a positive experience of being fostered? Or foster carers who say how much their lives have been changed for the better as a result of fostering? This will give you the opportunity to link in with us and build this into your local activity.</p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Montserrat"><span style="color:black">Make sure your press release includes: </span></span></span></span></span></p> <ul> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:normal"><span style="tab-stops:list 36.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Montserrat">basic ‘jargon-free’ facts and figures about fostering in your area statistics on the number of children in care</span></span></span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:normal"><span style="tab-stops:list 36.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Montserrat">specific information about the type of foster carers you are looking for</span></span></span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:normal"><span style="tab-stops:list 36.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Montserrat">FAQs about fostering</span></span></span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:normal"><span style="tab-stops:list 36.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Montserrat">example case studies of foster carers or care experienced young people who would be willing to be interviewed</span></span></span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:normal"><span style="tab-stops:list 36.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Montserrat">a clear link to your objectives for Foster Care Fortnight so that you are linking in with the rest of your work </span></span></span></span></span> </li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:normal"><span style="tab-stops:list 36.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Montserrat">If possible, quotes of support from local celebrities or those endorsing the national campaign </span></span></span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:normal"><span style="tab-stops:list 36.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Montserrat">your contact details and/or those of your press office.</span></span></span></span></span></li> </ul> </div> </div> <div paraeid="{6288f8ba-33a3-4b06-a1f2-366817733ff6}{52}" paraid="1516311699"> <p><strong><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Montserrat">Send a letter to the editor</span></span></span></span></strong></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Montserrat">The letters pages in local newspapers are very well read and generate plenty of discussion. Letters could be sent from foster carers, lead councillors, your chief executive, directors, the chair of your local foster care association or a care experienced young person.  </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Montserrat">Features and articles</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-bottom:11px"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Montserrat"><span style="color:black">Encourage a features writer to look at a fostering issue in your area in more detail, including case studies of foster carers or young people to bring the story to life. Alternatively, you could offer an article explaining why you need more foster carers. Lots of interesting examples will make it a good read. This will need to be done well in advance of Foster Care Fortnight so prepare this as early as possible. </span></span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-bottom:5px"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:13.05pt"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-family:Montserrat"><span style="color:black">Social media</span></span></b></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-bottom:11px"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Montserrat"><span style="color:black">Ask foster carers to write a blog for you about their experiences of fostering - aiming to link in with the aims of your campaign and why they would encourage others to think about becoming a foster carer or why they think fostering is so important. Blogs from young people are also very powerful and can easily be anonymised to keep their identity private. Use your Twitter and Facebook accounts to share that it is Foster Care Fortnight (we have some digital resources to help you do that) and ask your foster carers to use their social media channels to promote your local campaign. Make use of the hashtag #FCF24 on all your social media communications. </span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Montserrat">Incoming calls</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Montserrat">Even if you are not planning any events or are not getting involved in this year’s campaign, you may still receive incoming calls from journalists as a result of heightened awareness of fostering. It is therefore advisable to spend some time preparing key facts and figures and ensuring spokespeople (staff and foster carers) are free to speak to the media at short notice. Helping the media in this way can enable you to develop good relationships for the future. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Montserrat">Please note - Foster Care Fortnight is run by, and trademarked by, The Fostering Network. Please ensure you mention The Fostering Network in any media work you undertake for Foster Care Fortnight. The simplest way, perhaps, is to call the fortnight '<b>The Fostering Network's Foster Care Fortnight'</b> the first time you mention it. Please ensure you use <b><u>Foster Care Fortnight</u></b> and <i>not</i> Fostering Fortnight. </span></span></span></span></p> </div> </dd> <dt> <div><span style="display: inline !important; float: none; background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: &quot;AkkoRoundedPro-Light&quot;,sans-serif; font-size: 26.93px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 30.43px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Developing a media plan</span></div> </dt> <dd> <div paraeid="{6288f8ba-33a3-4b06-a1f2-366817733ff6}{88}" paraid="1460730977"> <p class="paragraph"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family:Montserrat"><span style="color:black">The energy of the national Foster Care Fortnight campaign always leads to a heightened interest in fostering amongst local media. Taking the time to plan will ensure your fostering service can maximise this interest and achieve quality coverage to raise awareness of your need for more foster families.  </span></span></span> </span></span></span></p> <p class="paragraph" paraeid="{6288f8ba-33a3-4b06-a1f2-366817733ff6}{102}" paraid="194746538"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="overflow-wrap:break-word"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-kerning:none"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span data-contrast="none" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:none !important"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family:Montserrat"><span style="color:black">Make sure you are linking in with the objectives of your service in the way that you talk about fostering, the foster carer and young people case studies that you choose. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p class="paragraph"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family:Montserrat"><span style="color:black">Identify your audience</span></span></span></b> </span></span></span></p> <p class="paragraph" paraeid="{6288f8ba-33a3-4b06-a1f2-366817733ff6}{120}" paraid="1585807574"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="overflow-wrap:break-word"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-kerning:none"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span data-contrast="none" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:none !important"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family:Montserrat"><span style="color:black">What types of foster care do you need to provide - long-term, short break? What groups of children do you need to look after - teenagers, siblings? What type of people do you need - age group, gender, experience? What skills and qualities do they need? What can you offer them as a fostering package? What media do they consume?</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p class="paragraph"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family:Montserrat"><span style="color:black">Target your coverage</span></span></span></b> </span></span></span></p> <p class="paragraph" paraeid="{6288f8ba-33a3-4b06-a1f2-366817733ff6}{132}" paraid="1253056067"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="overflow-wrap:break-word"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-kerning:none"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span data-contrast="none" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:none !important"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family:Montserrat"><span style="color:black">Ask your foster carers what they read, listen to and watch. Think outside of traditional media. Consider free newspapers, online forums and websites, faith magazines, and newsletters from voluntary and community </span></span></span><span style="border-bottom:transparent; user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="background-image:var(--urlSpellingErrorV2, url(&quot;data:image/svg+xml"><span style="background-position-x:0%"><span style="background-position-y:100%">organisations</span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">, </span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span data-contrast="none" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:none !important"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">schools</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span data-contrast="none" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:none !important"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"> and big employers in your area.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p class="paragraph"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family:Montserrat"><span style="color:black">Let them know it’s coming</span></span></span></b> </span></span></span></p> <p class="paragraph" paraeid="{6288f8ba-33a3-4b06-a1f2-366817733ff6}{148}" paraid="1087217085"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="overflow-wrap:break-word"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-kerning:none"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span data-contrast="none" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:none !important"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family:Montserrat"><span style="color:black">Send a diary notice <strong>now</strong> to your local media outlets, giving them the dates for Foster Care Fortnight (13-26 May 2023) and your contact details. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p class="paragraph"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family:Montserrat"><span style="color:black">Develop a good local story</span></span></span></b> </span></span></span></p> <p class="paragraph" paraeid="{6288f8ba-33a3-4b06-a1f2-366817733ff6}{168}" paraid="699745495"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="overflow-wrap:break-word"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-kerning:none"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span data-contrast="none" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:none !important"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family:Montserrat"><span style="color:black">For this you should consider:</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <ul> <li class="paragraph" paraeid="{6288f8ba-33a3-4b06-a1f2-366817733ff6}{120}" paraid="1585807574"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="tab-stops:list 36.0pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="overflow-wrap:break-word"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-kerning:none"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span data-contrast="none" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:none !important"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family:Montserrat"><span style="color:black">Including a call to action.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li> <li class="paragraph" paraeid="{6288f8ba-33a3-4b06-a1f2-366817733ff6}{120}" paraid="1585807574"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="tab-stops:list 36.0pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="overflow-wrap:break-word"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-kerning:none"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span data-contrast="none" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:none !important"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family:Montserrat"><span style="color:black">Using local facts and figures to support your message, such as how many foster carers you need or the increase in the number of children coming into care.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li> <li class="paragraph" paraeid="{6288f8ba-33a3-4b06-a1f2-366817733ff6}{120}" paraid="1585807574"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="tab-stops:list 36.0pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="overflow-wrap:break-word"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-kerning:none"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span data-contrast="none" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:none !important"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family:Montserrat"><span style="color:black">Involving a local celebrity, or you lead councillor or mayor </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li> <li class="paragraph" paraeid="{6288f8ba-33a3-4b06-a1f2-366817733ff6}{120}" paraid="1585807574"> <span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="tab-stops:list 36.0pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="overflow-wrap:break-word"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-kerning:none"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span data-contrast="none" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:none !important"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family:Montserrat"><span style="color:black">Using a quirky or unusual angle – but not too odd.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li> <li class="paragraph" paraeid="{6288f8ba-33a3-4b06-a1f2-366817733ff6}{120}" paraid="1585807574"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="tab-stops:list 36.0pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="overflow-wrap:break-word"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-kerning:none"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span data-contrast="none" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:none !important"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family:Montserrat"><span style="color:black">Linking to the objectives of your fostering service theme and The Fostering Network’s news story.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li> <li class="paragraph" paraeid="{6288f8ba-33a3-4b06-a1f2-366817733ff6}{120}" paraid="1585807574"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="tab-stops:list 36.0pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="overflow-wrap:break-word"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-kerning:none"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span data-contrast="none" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:none !important"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family:Montserrat"><span style="color:black">Keeping it simple.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li> <li class="paragraph" paraeid="{6288f8ba-33a3-4b06-a1f2-366817733ff6}{120}" paraid="1585807574"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="tab-stops:list 36.0pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="overflow-wrap:break-word"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-kerning:none"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span data-contrast="none" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:none !important"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family:Montserrat"><span style="color:black">Giving a human interest angle - find case studies reflecting the sort of foster carers you need. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li> </ul> <p class="paragraph"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family:Montserrat"><span style="color:black">Involve your foster carers and young people</span></span></span></b> </span></span></span></p> <p class="paragraph" paraeid="{6288f8ba-33a3-4b06-a1f2-366817733ff6}{243}" paraid="1344765343"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="overflow-wrap:break-word"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-kerning:none"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span data-contrast="none" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:none !important"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family:Montserrat"><span style="color:black">Word-of-mouth is the most effective way to get people interested in fostering so try to encourage your foster carers and young people to share their experiences of fostering with the media. Don’t forget, because your fostering service will have treated your foster carers well throughout the year, they will only say positive things about your service. There is no need to stop your foster carers speaking to the press, in fact, you should encourage them to by putting them in touch with your press office.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p class="paragraph" paraeid="{6288f8ba-33a3-4b06-a1f2-366817733ff6}{249}" paraid="574393634"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="overflow-wrap:break-word"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-kerning:none"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span data-contrast="none" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:none !important"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family:Montserrat"><span style="color:black">There is plenty to consider with case study stories, so here are some useful hints and tips:</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <ul> <li class="paragraph"><span data-contrast="none" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:none !important"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:Montserrat"><span style="color:black"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">Follow up after an interview to check that the case study thought it went well and the reporter has everything they need</span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li> <li class="paragraph"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="tab-stops:list 36.0pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="overflow-wrap:break-word"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-kerning:none"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span data-contrast="none" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:none !important"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family:Montserrat"><span style="color:black">Journalists will ask for </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li> <li class="paragraph"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="tab-stops:list 36.0pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="overflow-wrap:break-word"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-kerning:none"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span data-contrast="none" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:none !important"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family:Montserrat"><span style="color:black">Finding case studies can take time, so start looking now </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li> <li class="paragraph"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="tab-stops:list 36.0pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="overflow-wrap:break-word"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-kerning:none"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span data-contrast="none" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:none !important"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family:Montserrat"><span style="color:black">Find a good spread of case studies from across your area as the media will be looking for someone in their circulation area.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li> <li class="paragraph"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="tab-stops:list 36.0pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="overflow-wrap:break-word"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-kerning:none"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span data-contrast="none" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:none !important"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family:Montserrat"><span style="color:black">Offer reporters case studies with an interesting story – did they have an unusual reason for becoming a foster carer? Did they change careers?</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li> <li class="paragraph"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="tab-stops:list 36.0pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="overflow-wrap:break-word"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-kerning:none"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span data-contrast="none" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:none !important"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family:Montserrat"><span style="color:black">Challenge perceptions about who can foster by offering the media stories of single, male or relatively young foster carers, for example. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li> <li class="paragraph"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="tab-stops:list 36.0pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="overflow-wrap:break-word"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-kerning:none"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span data-contrast="none" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:none !important"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family:Montserrat"><span style="color:black">Make sure your foster carers are well-briefed and journalists know what they can report to respect confidentiality.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li> </ul> <p class="paragraph"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family:Montserrat"><span style="color:black">Join in with the national campaign</span></span></span></b> </span></span></span></p> <p class="paragraph" paraeid="{dbda2cbe-df57-4cde-8c82-50570fe84b5c}{63}" paraid="18200437"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="overflow-wrap:break-word"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-kerning:none"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span data-contrast="none" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:none !important"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family:Montserrat"><span style="color:black">At the start of the campaign, The Fostering Network’s media team will share the angle for our national news story with our members in confidence and under strict embargo. If your local media activity uses #FCF24 then you can be sure that you will fit in with the national campaign.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p class="paragraph" paraeid="{dbda2cbe-df57-4cde-8c82-50570fe84b5c}{69}" paraid="1639363786"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="overflow-wrap:break-word"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-kerning:none"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span data-contrast="none" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:none !important"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family:Montserrat"><span style="color:black">Tips for maximising media coverage and increasing its quality:</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <ul> <li class="paragraph" paraeid="{dbda2cbe-df57-4cde-8c82-50570fe84b5c}{69}" paraid="1639363786"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="tab-stops:list 36.0pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family:Montserrat"><span style="color:black">Brief spokespeople before interviews so they know the key messages, and have the facts and figures at their fingertips.  </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li> <li class="paragraph" paraeid="{dbda2cbe-df57-4cde-8c82-50570fe84b5c}{69}" paraid="1639363786"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="tab-stops:list 36.0pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="overflow-wrap:break-word"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-kerning:none"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span data-contrast="none" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:none !important"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family:Montserrat"><span style="color:black">Always be prepared for tricky questions – think what might come up and work with your press office to have agreed responses.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li> <li class="paragraph" paraeid="{dbda2cbe-df57-4cde-8c82-50570fe84b5c}{69}" paraid="1639363786"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="tab-stops:list 36.0pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="overflow-wrap:break-word"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-kerning:none"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span data-contrast="none" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:none !important"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family:Montserrat"><span style="color:black">Be available - journalists have tight deadlines, so make sure you can be easily reached and that colleagues and foster caers are prepared to be contacted. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li> <li class="paragraph" paraeid="{dbda2cbe-df57-4cde-8c82-50570fe84b5c}{69}" paraid="1639363786"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="tab-stops:list 36.0pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family:Montserrat"><span style="color:black">Make sure you have mobile numbers for the people you’ll need to reach.</span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></li> <li class="paragraph" paraeid="{dbda2cbe-df57-4cde-8c82-50570fe84b5c}{69}" paraid="1639363786"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="tab-stops:list 36.0pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="overflow-wrap:break-word"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-kerning:none"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span data-contrast="none" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:none !important"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family:Montserrat"><span style="color:black">Respect confidentiality - remind foster carers not to give out names of children in their care and keep details about them general. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="tab-stops:list 36.0pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="overflow-wrap:break-word"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-kerning:none"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span data-contrast="none" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:none !important"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family:Montserrat"><span style="color:black">Explain to journalists that it is vital they do not identify any fostered children.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li> <li class="paragraph" paraeid="{dbda2cbe-df57-4cde-8c82-50570fe84b5c}{69}" paraid="1639363786"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="tab-stops:list 36.0pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="overflow-wrap:break-word"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-kerning:none"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span data-contrast="none" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:none !important"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family:Montserrat"><span style="color:black">Discuss your ideas with your press office ASAP – the more time to work together the better.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li> </ul> </div> </dd> <dt> <div><span style="display: inline !important; float: none; background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: &quot;AkkoRoundedPro-Light&quot;,sans-serif; font-size: 26.93px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 30.43px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Helping us help you</span></div> </dt> <dd> <div> <p class="paragraph"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family:Montserrat"><span style="color:black">The Fostering Network works throughout the year to keep the media spotlight on fostering and generates substantial media coverage throughout Foster Care Fortnight and beyond. By </span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family:Montserrat"><span style="color:black">organising </span></span></span></span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:Montserrat"><span style="color:black">Foster</span></span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:Montserrat"><span style="color:black"> Care Fortnight, The Fostering Network is working for you. We want to help raise awareness about the transformational power of fostering more generally so that you can run a more successful media campaign on a local level. To do this though, we need your support.</span></span></span></span> </p> </div> <div style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 600; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 17.4px; margin: 0px 0px 4.8px; orphans: 2; outline-style: none; outline-width: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 600; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 17.4px; margin: 0px 0px 4.8px; orphans: 2; outline-style: none; outline-width: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family:Montserrat"><span style="color:black">Sharing your stories</span></span></span></b> </span></span></span></div> <div> <p><span data-contrast="none" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:none !important"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:Montserrat"><span style="color:black"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">As well as appearing in your local media, your foster carers and care experienced young people can get involved in the work we are doing nationally. We get a lot of requests for case studies from national media, so if you have any great examples of people's whose lives have been transformed by foster </span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">care</span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"> please do share them with us.  The foster carers and young people we have worked with tell us they have thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to share their stories about fostering and encourage others to come forward. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span data-contrast="none" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:none !important"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:Montserrat"><span style="color:black"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">We are always looking for inspirational stories of fostering families and care experienced young people. To suggest a case study email media@fostering.net </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span data-contrast="auto" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:none !important"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span data-contrast="none" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:none !important"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p class="paragraph"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family:Montserrat"><span style="color:black">Need help?</span></span></span></b> </span></span></span></p> <p class="paragraph" paraeid="{dbda2cbe-df57-4cde-8c82-50570fe84b5c}{179}" paraid="1842163259"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="overflow-wrap:break-word"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-kerning:none"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span data-contrast="none" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:none !important"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family:Montserrat"><span style="color:black">If you are a member of The Fostering Network and need support or advice with your Foster Care Fortnight media work, please email </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span data-contrast="auto" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:none !important"><a href="mailto:media@fostering.net" style="user-select:text; -webkit-user-drag:none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent; color:inherit; cursor:text" target="_blank"><span data-contrast="none" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:none !important"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family:Montserrat"><span style="color:#0563c1"><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink" style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent">media@fostering.net</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></a></span></span></span></span><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span data-contrast="none" style="user-select:text" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:none !important"><span style="user-select:text"><span style="-webkit-user-drag:none"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family:Montserrat"><span style="color:black"> and we will do our best to help.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> </div> </dd> </dl> <div>Tags:</div> </div> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'links__node' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * links--node.html.twig x links.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/tfnetwork/templates/system/links.html.twig' --> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/tfnetwork/templates/system/links.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-content-topic--page.html.twig * field--node--field-content-topic.html.twig * field--node--page.html.twig * field--field-content-topic.html.twig * field--entity-reference.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-content-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field--items"> <div class="field--item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1711" hreflang="en">foster care fortnight</a></div> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-members-only--page.html.twig * field--node--field-members-only.html.twig * field--node--page.html.twig * field--field-members-only.html.twig * field--boolean.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-members-only field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field--item">0</div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> Fri, 13 Jan 2017 21:42:20 +0000 Daniel.Sinclairtfn 10583 at https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk Foster Care Fortnight - recruitment checklist https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/foster-care-fortnight-recruitment-checklist <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--title--page.html.twig x field--node--title.html.twig * field--node--page.html.twig * field--title.html.twig * field--string.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--title.html.twig' --> <span property="schema:name">Foster Care Fortnight - recruitment checklist</span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--title.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--uid--page.html.twig x field--node--uid.html.twig * field--node--page.html.twig * field--uid.html.twig * field--entity-reference.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--uid.html.twig' --> <span rel="schema:author"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'username' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/user/templates/username.html.twig' --> <span lang="" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="">Daniel.Sinclairtfn</span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/user/templates/username.html.twig' --> </span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--uid.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--created--page.html.twig x field--node--created.html.twig * field--node--page.html.twig * field--created.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--created.html.twig' --> <span property="schema:dateCreated" content="2017-01-13T17:20:19+00:00">Fri, 01/13/2017 - 17:20</span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--created.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-introduction--page.html.twig * field--node--field-introduction.html.twig * field--node--page.html.twig * field--field-introduction.html.twig * field--text-long.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-introduction field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field--item"><div>The pressure to recruit new foster carers is an ongoing challenge for fostering services. Last year, The Fostering Network announced that an additional 9,300&nbsp;fostering families were needed in the UK.&nbsp;</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>It has never been a more important to raise the profile of fostering and to be clear what the specific need for new foster carers is in your area. Foster Care Fortnight<sup>TM</sup> is the perfect time to be generating more interest and better targeted enquiries from potential foster carers.</div> <p>Part of that pressure of recruitment can be eased by retaining more of your existing foster carers. Foster Care Fortnight is a great time to express your gratitude to your current foster carers and to make the feel valued.</p> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--body--page.html.twig * field--node--body.html.twig * field--node--page.html.twig * field--body.html.twig * field--text-with-summary.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div property="schema:text" class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field--item"><h2 style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: &amp;quot;akkoroundedpro-medium&amp;quot;,sans-serif; font-size: 32.33px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 35.89px; margin-bottom: 10.34px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; outline-color: invert; outline-style: none; outline-width: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Retention</h2> <p paraeid="{38c50bb3-26ca-4b00-8376-8e094f013b15}{144}" paraid="1826363441">It’s likely that your primary focus during Foster Care Fortnight is to raise awareness of the need for more foster carers in your area and to generate foster carer enquiries. &nbsp;</p> <p paraeid="{bf3c41cc-cbdc-4ce1-832f-b65730399707}{6}" paraid="347167717">However, making sure your current foster carers are happy, thanked and feel part of the team is also vital – it can mean that ultimately, you need to recruit fewer new carers.&nbsp;</p> <p paraeid="{38c50bb3-26ca-4b00-8376-8e094f013b15}{190}" paraid="464014216">Foster Care Fortnight is an ideal time to say thank you to your existing carers, and to celebrate their work. You will be doing some of that by sharing your foster carers' stories as part of your recruitment activity and bringing to life the difference fostering makes. &nbsp;</p> <p paraeid="{bf3c41cc-cbdc-4ce1-832f-b65730399707}{18}" paraid="1931418485">You can also involve your foster carers in your planned recruitment activity. Other ideas to consider are:&nbsp;</p> <ul role="list"> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}" data-listid="3" role="listitem"> <p paraeid="{bf3c41cc-cbdc-4ce1-832f-b65730399707}{56}" paraid="1981907093">organising or taking part in a Foster Walk during the fortnight, which could finish with a celebratory family fun day for fostering families&nbsp;</p> </li> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="2" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}" data-listid="3" role="listitem"> <p paraeid="{bf3c41cc-cbdc-4ce1-832f-b65730399707}{67}" paraid="2062565865">sending thank you cards to all your foster carers and their families&nbsp;</p> </li> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="3" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}" data-listid="3" role="listitem"> <p paraeid="{bf3c41cc-cbdc-4ce1-832f-b65730399707}{74}" paraid="326112001">using Foster Care Fortnight to reward foster carers for length of service or outstanding contributions&nbsp;</p> </li> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="4" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}" data-listid="3" role="listitem"> <p paraeid="{bf3c41cc-cbdc-4ce1-832f-b65730399707}{81}" paraid="116353432">refreshing or relaunching your foster carer charter&nbsp;</p> </li> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="5" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}" data-listid="3" role="listitem"> <p paraeid="{bf3c41cc-cbdc-4ce1-832f-b65730399707}{88}" paraid="1457469377">helping carers to feel listened to by offering opportunities to meet with key decision makers in children’s lives. This could be virtual school heads, children’s service manager and elected officials&nbsp;</p> </li> </ul> <ul role="list"> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}" data-listid="3" role="listitem"> <p paraeid="{bf3c41cc-cbdc-4ce1-832f-b65730399707}{97}" paraid="193803651">expanding your employee offer to include foster carers&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> </li> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="2" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}" data-listid="3" role="listitem"> <p paraeid="{bf3c41cc-cbdc-4ce1-832f-b65730399707}{108}" paraid="1847429828">and so much more!&nbsp;</p> </li> </ul> <p paraeid="{bf3c41cc-cbdc-4ce1-832f-b65730399707}{117}" paraid="121296403">&nbsp;</p> <hr /> <h2>Recruitment</h2> <h3>Reflect on your own practice</h3> <p paraeid="{bf3c41cc-cbdc-4ce1-832f-b65730399707}{143}" paraid="1452705422">A lot of your existing recruitment activity will fit in with the theme of <strong>#</strong><strong>FosteringMoments</strong> and tie you into the national activity taking place. &nbsp;</p> <p paraeid="{bf3c41cc-cbdc-4ce1-832f-b65730399707}{163}" paraid="1059181332">You don't have to reinvent the wheel every Foster Care Fortnight, so consider what has, and hasn't, worked well in previous years. Here are a few questions to help you reflect on what you are currently doing:&nbsp;</p> <ul role="list"> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}" data-listid="1" role="listitem"> <p paraeid="{bf3c41cc-cbdc-4ce1-832f-b65730399707}{169}" paraid="1168186137">What has worked well in the past; what hasn’t worked so well?&nbsp;</p> </li> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="2" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}" data-listid="1" role="listitem"> <p paraeid="{bf3c41cc-cbdc-4ce1-832f-b65730399707}{176}" paraid="262894450">Are there things you're planning on doing this year simply because you've always done them?&nbsp;</p> </li> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="3" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}" data-listid="1" role="listitem"> <p paraeid="{bf3c41cc-cbdc-4ce1-832f-b65730399707}{183}" paraid="506045961">What ages and stages of children do you need to recruit carers to care for?&nbsp;</p> </li> </ul> <ul role="list"> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}" data-listid="1" role="listitem"> <p paraeid="{bf3c41cc-cbdc-4ce1-832f-b65730399707}{200}" paraid="1064866646">Do you have accurate methods for tracking the impact of any recruitment activity you might plan? If not, what needs to happen to make sure you do?&nbsp;</p> </li> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="2" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}" data-listid="1" role="listitem"> <p paraeid="{bf3c41cc-cbdc-4ce1-832f-b65730399707}{207}" paraid="2107351891">Do you have a clear 'customer journey' for enquirers?&nbsp;</p> </li> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="3" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}" data-listid="1" role="listitem"> <p paraeid="{bf3c41cc-cbdc-4ce1-832f-b65730399707}{214}" paraid="992359291">Is your website easy to navigate? Does it contain clear information and how to get in touch?&nbsp;</p> </li> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="4" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}" data-listid="1" role="listitem"> <p paraeid="{0505cee5-cd9c-4579-a7aa-1938cb063f81}{163}" paraid="2082131478">Do you want people to rule themselves out before speaking to you (in which case you will want a lot of information on your website)?&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> </li> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="5" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}" data-listid="1" role="listitem"> <p paraeid="{bf3c41cc-cbdc-4ce1-832f-b65730399707}{225}" paraid="98895176">Do you have sufficient people to process all enquiries and progress them?&nbsp;</p> </li> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="6" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}" data-listid="1" role="listitem"> <p paraeid="{bf3c41cc-cbdc-4ce1-832f-b65730399707}{232}" paraid="1880748202">Do you have a good tracking system in place for people who express an interest in becoming a foster carer?&nbsp;</p> </li> </ul> <ul role="list"> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}" data-listid="1" role="listitem"> <p paraeid="{bf3c41cc-cbdc-4ce1-832f-b65730399707}{239}" paraid="2026971550">Do you have the right people trained to answer phone calls, respond to emails or other means of communication?&nbsp;</p> </li> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="2" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}" data-listid="1" role="listitem"> <p paraeid="{bf3c41cc-cbdc-4ce1-832f-b65730399707}{250}" paraid="970201930">Could you cope with a sudden influx of enquiries?&nbsp;</p> </li> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="3" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}" data-listid="1" role="listitem"> <p paraeid="{d14358f0-a33a-4756-a0be-0c7d94ad1566}{2}" paraid="1428965824">How will you vary your current practice to reach the objectives you are going to set (see below)?&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> </li> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="4" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}" data-listid="1" role="listitem"> <p paraeid="{d14358f0-a33a-4756-a0be-0c7d94ad1566}{9}" paraid="1667037719">Do you have a clear call to action? Information on how to get in touch with you should be clear. &nbsp;</p> </li> </ul> <div>&nbsp;</div> <h3>Set recruitment objectives</h3> <p paraeid="{0505cee5-cd9c-4579-a7aa-1938cb063f81}{229}" paraid="278143935">It is vitally important that your recruitment activity is well-targeted. &nbsp;</p> <p paraeid="{0505cee5-cd9c-4579-a7aa-1938cb063f81}{241}" paraid="1279637922">Not only will that help you recruit the right carers for you, but it will also help existing carers who feel they have the space and capacity to care for a child be clearer as to why they may not be caring for a child, as their skills are not matched to the children needing care currently.&nbsp;</p> <p paraeid="{d14358f0-a33a-4756-a0be-0c7d94ad1566}{119}" paraid="703555558">What are your recruitment objectives for #FCF24? They may be some, or all of the following:&nbsp;</p> <ul role="list"> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}" data-listid="2" role="listitem"> <p paraeid="{d14358f0-a33a-4756-a0be-0c7d94ad1566}{131}" paraid="1618065803">To raise the profile of how foster care transforms lives in your area&nbsp;</p> </li> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="2" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}" data-listid="2" role="listitem"> <p paraeid="{d14358f0-a33a-4756-a0be-0c7d94ad1566}{138}" paraid="99091784">To raise the profile of fostering with your service&nbsp;</p> </li> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="3" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}" data-listid="2" role="listitem"> <p paraeid="{d14358f0-a33a-4756-a0be-0c7d94ad1566}{151}" paraid="824136021">To increase the number of enquiries you receive&nbsp;</p> </li> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="4" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}" data-listid="2" role="listitem"> <p paraeid="{d14358f0-a33a-4756-a0be-0c7d94ad1566}{158}" paraid="427813343">To recruit a certain number of carers&nbsp;</p> </li> </ul> <ul role="list"> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}" data-listid="2" role="listitem"> <p paraeid="{d14358f0-a33a-4756-a0be-0c7d94ad1566}{165}" paraid="1530644514">To recruit foster carers for a specific group, or diversity of children or young people&nbsp;</p> </li> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="2" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}" data-listid="2" role="listitem"> <p paraeid="{d14358f0-a33a-4756-a0be-0c7d94ad1566}{176}" paraid="528063505">To target new groups or areas for prospective foster carers&nbsp;</p> </li> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="3" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}" data-listid="2" role="listitem"> <p paraeid="{d14358f0-a33a-4756-a0be-0c7d94ad1566}{183}" paraid="392493118">To improve retention among your existing foster carers&nbsp;</p> </li> </ul> <p lang="EN-GB" paraeid="{4efb5635-bf25-4d13-83b0-33c395f8b9c0}{22}" paraid="1976516938" xml:lang="EN-GB">&nbsp;</p> <h3>Tracking success</h3> <p paraeid="{0c831e56-b7ce-4d40-91bb-a7b9ca77c17c}{120}" paraid="695789827">Foster Care Fortnight is a celebration of the power of foster care to transform lives and change futures, but it is also a great opportunity to improve and enhance a number of aspects within your service.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p paraeid="{d14358f0-a33a-4756-a0be-0c7d94ad1566}{190}" paraid="395583902">Set clear performance targets within each objective and be bold with what you want to achieve.&nbsp;</p> <h3>Be targeted</h3> <p paraeid="{fabc48f1-8d94-4da3-904e-93502c9d2cfb}{140}" paraid="1977123561">Once you have undertaken the objective setting process above, it’s likely you will have identified some key audiences for your recruitment activity. &nbsp;</p> <p paraeid="{d14358f0-a33a-4756-a0be-0c7d94ad1566}{216}" paraid="1543106541">Our top tip is to be as targeted as you can with your marketing.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p paraeid="{d14358f0-a33a-4756-a0be-0c7d94ad1566}{222}" paraid="1313081291">A small amount of targeted marketing activity – either in terms of the demographic you are seeking to reach, or the type of fostering you particularly need new foster carers for – &nbsp;is often more effective than a larger amount of more general activity. &nbsp;</p> <p paraeid="{d14358f0-a33a-4756-a0be-0c7d94ad1566}{228}" paraid="511064328">Some of the most fruitful Foster Care Fortnight recruitment campaigns have been those which have been crystal clear about who they are seeking to recruit and who for. This helps your teams who deal with enquiries in their conversations, and also helps any existing foster carers who might have capacity to understand why you are seeking to recruit further carers.&nbsp;</p> <div>&nbsp;</div> <h3>Make the most of local media, your website and social media</h3> <p>Check out our <a href="https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/get-involved/foster-care-fortnight/foster-care-fortnight-fostering-services/foster-care-fortnight">Foster Care Fortnight media page</a> for ideas and information on using the media to help with your foster carer recruitment. We also have ideas for services on how to engage the wider community, use your social media and website during Foster Care Fortnight in our <a href="https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/fcf23resources/fosteringservices">Getting involved in Foster Care Fortnight guide</a>&nbsp;exclusively for fostering service members of The Fostering Network. &nbsp;</p> <p>Foster Care Fortnight is the highest profile celebration of foster care in the UK. The Fostering Network will be undertaking media work and promoting the fortnight on social media, but we also hope that as many fostering service members will join in and develop the idea of foster care changing futures in a way that is of most use to your fostering service locally. We would love to be able to share your ideas too. Email us at <a href="mailto:recruitmentandretention@fostering.net ">f</a><a href="mailto:fcf@fostering.net">cf</a><a href="mailto:fcf@fostering.net">@fostering.net</a> and we will share best practice through our monthly members' e-news.</p> <p>Visit our Foster Care Fortnight <a href="https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/fcf23resources">resource page</a> for more information and downloadable resources.&nbsp;</p> <h5>Tags:</h5> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'links__node' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * links--node.html.twig x links.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/tfnetwork/templates/system/links.html.twig' --> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/tfnetwork/templates/system/links.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-content-topic--page.html.twig * field--node--field-content-topic.html.twig * field--node--page.html.twig * field--field-content-topic.html.twig * field--entity-reference.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-content-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field--items"> <div class="field--item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1711" hreflang="en">foster care fortnight</a></div> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-members-only--page.html.twig * field--node--field-members-only.html.twig * field--node--page.html.twig * field--field-members-only.html.twig * field--boolean.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-members-only field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field--item">0</div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> Fri, 13 Jan 2017 17:20:19 +0000 Daniel.Sinclairtfn 10580 at https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk