FCF17 https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/ en Foster Care Fortnight: Our opportunity to celebrate foster carers and kinship carers https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/blogs/foster-care-fortnight/foster-care-fortnight-our-opportunity-celebrate-foster-carers-and <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--title--blog.html.twig x field--node--title.html.twig * field--node--blog.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>Foster Care Fortnight: Our opportunity to celebrate foster carers and kinship carers</span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--title.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--uid--blog.html.twig x field--node--uid.html.twig * field--node--blog.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> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'username' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/user/templates/username.html.twig' --> <span lang="" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="" content="Foster Care Fortnight">Foster Care Fo…</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--blog.html.twig x field--node--created.html.twig * field--node--blog.html.twig * field--created.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--created.html.twig' --> <span>Mon, 05/15/2017 - 11:07</span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--created.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-introduction--blog.html.twig * field--node--field-introduction.html.twig * field--node--blog.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>Kathleen Toner, director of The Fostering Network in Northern Ireland, what we are doing to celebrate Foster Care Fortnight in Northern Ireland and the future of foster care in the nation</p> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--body--blog.html.twig * field--node--body.html.twig * field--node--blog.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 class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field--item"><p>Foster carers are at the frontline of the looked after system. Removing children from their birth family is not an act undertaken lightly and they bring with them the impact of their experiences. Foster carers respond by opening their homes and their families to a child who needs, more than anything, safety, stability, reassurance and care. Foster carers establish emotional bonds, do the school run, help with homework, advocate tenaciously so each child can achieve their full potential. They support these children and young people in sustaining relationships with their birth families, they comfort and console them when things aren’t going well, encourage them to build relationships, love them and want the very best for them.</p> <p>In one of his early morning tweets last week, poet Lemn Sissay said: ‘I need to remind myself, I don’t do this alone. The echo which returns,&nbsp;is not my own.’</p> <p>For me, this is very reflective of our approach to Foster Care Fortnight here. In Northern Ireland we hold three major events during the fortnight, which this year will be attended by over 400 people across our sector. Uniquely in Northern Ireland, we promote Foster Care Fortnight in partnership with the Regional Adoption and Fostering Service, enabling us to take a regional approach, engage all the Health and Social Care Trusts, all independent agencies and reach&nbsp;out to all our individual foster and kinship foster carer members.</p> <p>All statutory and independent fostering agencies in Northern Ireland are members of The Fostering Network and this makes Foster Care Fortnight a truly collaborative effort.</p> <p>Reflecting on her experience of being a foster carer at a recruitment event in the Southern Trust this week, Ciara told the large assembled crowd that she had asked her foster child recently why foster care is important. The child replied: ‘It means less responsibility. It means I can be a child.’ A simple statement, which captures the essence of why foster care is so important.</p> <h6>A time of opportunity</h6> <p>In Northern Ireland there has been a renewed focus on meeting the needs of all looked after children. Looked after children were included in the Programme for Government, Northern Ireland has&nbsp;a draft strategy for looked after children which is inclusive of young people up to 25 and we have just responded to the Adoption and Children Bill which will introduce a raft of measures which are greatly welcomed. However, it is also a time of great challenge with no government in place, no budget agreed with the consequent potential implications and a need to recruit at least 200 new foster carers to keep pace with demand across the country. As such it has never been more important for all the agencies, across all sectors to pull together. We believe we need to maintain the momentum, to continue to build excellence in foster care services and this is a collective responsibility. It is reflected in the partnerships we have built and in the inclusive working relationships we are developing at every level in Northern Ireland. We all need to continue to work together to ensure we meet the needs of every single child in care in Northern Ireland.</p> <p>It is always a privilege to be the director of The Fostering Network in Northern Ireland and this is never more true than at our <a href="https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/news/2017/county-down-couple-named-northern-ireland-foster-carers-year">Foster Carer of the Year Awards</a> ceremony which took place on Saturday night. In its tenth year, it has gone from strength to strength and it is a huge celebration of the incredible contribution foster care makes to our society. We had eleven winners, all of whom were ordinary people doing extraordinary things, making a difference. I want to thank all foster and kinship carers in Northern Ireland who are ‘proud to foster’ and all the staff in all the agencies’ who are ‘proud to support fostering’.</p> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-blog-tags--blog.html.twig * field--node--field-blog-tags.html.twig * field--node--blog.html.twig * field--field-blog-tags.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-blog-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field--items"> <div class="field--item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1831" hreflang="en">FCF17</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/799" hreflang="en">foster care fortnight</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1832" hreflang="en">northern ireland</a></div> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <drupal-render-placeholder callback="flag.link_builder:build" arguments="0=node&amp;1=10783&amp;2=favourite_content" token="1ipfijkupfr0nUVyt8Fl9_5c7WbI8F-XRjYj3LyTR-c"></drupal-render-placeholder> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-comment--blog.html.twig * field--node--field-comment.html.twig * field--node--blog.html.twig * field--field-comment.html.twig x field--comment.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/comment/templates/field--comment.html.twig' --> <section> <h2>Add new comment</h2> <drupal-render-placeholder callback="comment.lazy_builders:renderForm" arguments="0=node&amp;1=10783&amp;2=field_comment&amp;3=comment" token="jHucAyK1rvBGHABwOHNEg2TLMSZVXAMJJvkVf8Ex1B4"></drupal-render-placeholder> </section> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/comment/templates/field--comment.html.twig' --> Mon, 15 May 2017 11:07:59 +0000 Foster Care Fortnight 10783 at https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/blogs/foster-care-fortnight/foster-care-fortnight-our-opportunity-celebrate-foster-carers-and#comments Fostering has helped us as a family https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/blogs/foster-care-fortnight/fostering-has-helped-us-family-0 <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--title--blog.html.twig x field--node--title.html.twig * field--node--blog.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>Fostering has helped us as a family</span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--title.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--uid--blog.html.twig x field--node--uid.html.twig * field--node--blog.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> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'username' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/user/templates/username.html.twig' --> <span lang="" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="" content="Foster Care Fortnight">Foster Care Fo…</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--blog.html.twig x field--node--created.html.twig * field--node--blog.html.twig * field--created.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--created.html.twig' --> <span>Mon, 05/15/2017 - 10:00</span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--created.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-introduction--blog.html.twig * field--node--field-introduction.html.twig * field--node--blog.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>Sean has been fostering with his wife, Marette, for many years in Northern Ireland. Marette has always worked in a childcare environment and from early in their marriage they&nbsp;had agreed that fostering was something they wanted to get involved in. In this blog Sean discusses their fostering experiences.</p> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--body--blog.html.twig * field--node--body.html.twig * field--node--blog.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 class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field--item"><p>Not everyone has good family support and we thought we would offer help where we could.</p> <p>At the time we started fostering we had three children of our own aged three, six and nine. We felt the time was right to foster as it would be an easier transition for both our own children and the foster children because they were so young.</p> <p>Initially we started with respite care but quickly moved to short term and long term care. We have two children sharing our home on a long term basis, one is now 19 and the other is 11, they have both been with us since they were one and a half years old.</p> <p>Long term placements have provided continuity for the children in our care, it has allowed them to have stability and security as they haven’t had to worry about further moves, they have remained settled in school and have been able to join clubs and teams within our area and become established members. This enables them to build great friendships as well as improving their self-confidence, all of which I believe has been a result of less disruption in their care.</p> <p>Much the same as with your own family, fostering can be challenging. However, every child is different and kids in care have various issues so you need to adapt and be flexible to help meet these needs, you also have to be patient and resilient.</p> <p>We have gained so much from fostering – it is very rewarding seeing how the kids have developed, watching them achieve various goals in their lives from doing well in school to participating in various sporting activities or playing for school teams.</p> <p>Simply watching how they grow and mature is so rewarding.</p> <p>We have had support from our local trust and other agencies; this varies from practical support from social workers, to support groups and training.</p> <p>The Fostering Network also offers many varied, fun activities for both foster carers and children. Through Fostering Achievement they also provide invaluable support for learning and development activities such as swimming lessons, music and drama, as well as providing computer equipment and other educational tools.</p> <p>Fostering has helped us as a family appreciate how lucky we are to have good family support.</p> <p>Statistics show that children in care can struggle to succeed - it is therefore all the morehow rewarding is it then to know that you have helped a child to fulfil their potential.even a little to break that trend.</p> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-blog-tags--blog.html.twig * field--node--field-blog-tags.html.twig * field--node--blog.html.twig * field--field-blog-tags.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-blog-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field--items"> <div class="field--item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1832" hreflang="en">northern ireland</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1831" hreflang="en">FCF17</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1712" hreflang="en">could you foster</a></div> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <drupal-render-placeholder callback="flag.link_builder:build" arguments="0=node&amp;1=10782&amp;2=favourite_content" token="q5yRf498-Zj1VhSrBI_soD94bSuBXaiwVe92GZPBp7o"></drupal-render-placeholder> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-comment--blog.html.twig * field--node--field-comment.html.twig * field--node--blog.html.twig * field--field-comment.html.twig x field--comment.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/comment/templates/field--comment.html.twig' --> <section> <h2>Add new comment</h2> <drupal-render-placeholder callback="comment.lazy_builders:renderForm" arguments="0=node&amp;1=10782&amp;2=field_comment&amp;3=comment" token="LvuRUA19m4vj06rgvd_OJrxBnb3DZfBvzy7ih_h5g-A"></drupal-render-placeholder> </section> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/comment/templates/field--comment.html.twig' --> Mon, 15 May 2017 10:00:02 +0000 Foster Care Fortnight 10782 at https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/blogs/foster-care-fortnight/fostering-has-helped-us-family-0#comments One life. Live it and make a difference https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/blogs/foster-care-fortnight/one-life-live-it-and-make-difference <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--title--blog.html.twig x field--node--title.html.twig * field--node--blog.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>One life. Live it and make a difference</span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--title.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--uid--blog.html.twig x field--node--uid.html.twig * field--node--blog.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> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'username' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/user/templates/username.html.twig' --> <span lang="" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="" content="Foster Care Fortnight">Foster Care Fo…</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--blog.html.twig x field--node--created.html.twig * field--node--blog.html.twig * field--created.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--created.html.twig' --> <span>Fri, 05/12/2017 - 09:50</span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--created.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-introduction--blog.html.twig * field--node--field-introduction.html.twig * field--node--blog.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>Shane Goodwin is a divisional manager for our corporate partners – Dreams. He is on a mission to raise as much money as possible for The Fostering Network this year.</p> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--body--blog.html.twig * field--node--body.html.twig * field--node--blog.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 class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field--item"><p>Sheffield born, and Wednesday ‘til I die, I’m now 44 and consider myself to be a lucky father of two healthy young daughters.</p> <p>During life’s journey, I have learnt that there is no rule book or guaranteed successes. I have met some inspiring people and heard some moving stories and now, more than ever as a father, I truly appreciate life.</p> <p>I have a real sense of purpose based on the outlook of: ‘One life. Live it and make the difference.’</p> <p>This year I’m fundraising to support the work of The Fostering Network and in March this year I ran The Paris Half Marathon.</p> <p>Every 20 minutes a child comes into foster care somewhere in the UK, and there are over 64,000 children and young people living with fostering families at the moment. The Fostering Network offers support and advice to those who care and support fostered children so that these children can enjoy fulfilling lives.</p> <p>I have decided to take on a personal challenge and raise £10,000 for this fantastic charity. So far I am proud to have raised £4,002 from The Paris Half Marathon. I personally fund all my travel costs and entry fees, so that every penny that I raise goes to the charity.</p> <p>I’ve signed up for another three charity fundraising events this year in order to exceed my target:</p> <ol> <li>The National Three Peaks</li> <li>The Great North Run</li> <li>The Sheffield 10k – which I will be running with my wife to be, Emily (we get married on 19 May), and it will be her first ever 10k!</li> </ol> <p>Being a Yorkshireman, I live by the mantra: ‘If you don’t ask, you don’t get,’ so I am now reaching out to businesses, to explore the possibility of sourcing merchandise, hospitality, goods/services that I can raffle on behalf of The Fostering Network and boost my fundraising contribution.</p> <p>If you’re able to help and support my fundraising in any way I would be massively grateful. If you are a business owner or someone who works for a large organisation, it would be my pleasure to meet you and colleagues to discuss any options that you might be able to offer.</p> <h6>Please <a href="mailto:shanegoodwin@dreams.co.uk">email me</a> or <a href="http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserPage.action?userUrl=ShaneGoodwin&amp;pageUrl=5">visit my fundraising page</a>.</h6> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-blog-tags--blog.html.twig * field--node--field-blog-tags.html.twig * field--node--blog.html.twig * field--field-blog-tags.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-blog-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field--items"> <div class="field--item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1831" hreflang="en">FCF17</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/532" hreflang="en">Fundraising</a></div> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <drupal-render-placeholder callback="flag.link_builder:build" arguments="0=node&amp;1=10778&amp;2=favourite_content" token="Duh6yfE5jyMRRbDZOaOd3krOuOXuX0Nz2KyekHTFSJ0"></drupal-render-placeholder> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-comment--blog.html.twig * field--node--field-comment.html.twig * field--node--blog.html.twig * field--field-comment.html.twig x field--comment.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/comment/templates/field--comment.html.twig' --> <section> <h2>Add new comment</h2> <drupal-render-placeholder callback="comment.lazy_builders:renderForm" arguments="0=node&amp;1=10778&amp;2=field_comment&amp;3=comment" token="6fB42PRsUwlGkq_ADJMbFZ3lZec3RE5cCP0sRY32Ap4"></drupal-render-placeholder> </section> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/comment/templates/field--comment.html.twig' --> Fri, 12 May 2017 09:50:02 +0000 Foster Care Fortnight 10778 at https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/blogs/foster-care-fortnight/one-life-live-it-and-make-difference#comments Scotland has many things to be proud of and our fostering community is high on that list https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/blogs/foster-care-fortnight/scotland-has-many-things-be-proud-and-our-fostering-community-high-list <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--title--blog.html.twig x field--node--title.html.twig * field--node--blog.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>Scotland has many things to be proud of and our fostering community is high on that list</span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--title.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--uid--blog.html.twig x field--node--uid.html.twig * field--node--blog.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> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'username' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/user/templates/username.html.twig' --> <span lang="" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="" content="Foster Care Fortnight">Foster Care Fo…</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--blog.html.twig x field--node--created.html.twig * field--node--blog.html.twig * field--created.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--created.html.twig' --> <span>Tue, 05/09/2017 - 13:54</span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--created.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-introduction--blog.html.twig * field--node--field-introduction.html.twig * field--node--blog.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>In this blog the director of The Fostering Network in Scotland, Sara Lurie, explains just what it takes to be a foster carer.</p> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--body--blog.html.twig * field--node--body.html.twig * field--node--blog.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 class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field--item"><p>I am delighted to say that during Foster Care Fortnight, thanks to the Big Lottery, we will host an event to celebrate the amazing contribution of Scotland's foster carers. Every local authority and every fostering service across Scotland has been invited to nominate a foster care family to celebrate with us. Our celebration will be joined by Mark McDonald, Minister for Childcare and Early Years, and Fiona Duncan, who has recently been appointed to chair the Scottish Government's Independent Root and Branch Review of the care system. And last, but not least, our group of amazing young champions, made up of young people living with their foster carers and young people whose mums and dads are foster carers, will showcase their recently produced film, <a href="https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/policy-practice/programmes-and-projects/fostering-community-champions#film">Give Me A Chance</a>.</p> <p>As director for the Fostering Network in Scotland, I am often asked, ‘What do foster carers do?’ And last year, as part of Foster Care Fortnight, I sat down and reflected on my many years of meeting with foster carers, sitting in your homes, speaking to you and to your children and to your extended families and to the children and young people who have come to live with you. Your genuine search, in the interest of providing the best possible care, has taught me more than anything else. Reflecting on your many comments, thoughts and challenges, I wrote the following:</p> <p><strong>What do foster carers do?</strong></p> <p>You open your hearts and your homes to babies, to toddlers, to pre-schoolers, to children in primary school and secondary school, and to young people beginning to navigate their way through college and university, courses and job applications. You open your hearts and your homes to children who hope beyond hope that they will return to their own mum or dad. You open your heart and your homes to children who have no-one, with no plan in place of how long they will stay or where they will go. You open your hearts and your homes to children who arrive with five minutes' notice and others at the end of a long planned journey. You open your hearts and your homes, 24 hours a day, to children you haven’t even met. You provide that safe port in a stormy sea. Some children stay briefly and others forever. You can’t undo a child’s pain, but you strive to be part of the healing.</p> <p>You see strengths and a positive future for each and every one of these children. You give without expecting anything in return. You share your time and give freely of yourself, to each child in your home, whether it be your own birth child or the one who has just come through your door. Your patience is your strength, and your sense of humour and positive thinking is your life line. You share laughter and hugs and fun and games. You give love even when some children can’t accept it. You record everything, from meals eaten to toys played with, from words spoken and behaviours displayed, to likes and fears and secrets told because you know, for confused children, you are the one to help them make sense of their lives. You see children grow and flourish and you know that small steps are a huge victory. You create opportunities for children and young people to hold their heads up high and be proud of who they are. You grieve each and every time a child or young person leaves your home.</p> <p>As we celebrate Foster Care Fortnight, I want to personally thank all of Scotland’s foster carers for the incredible difference you and your children have made, and continue to make, to every child who enters your home. I want to also thank those children, who through no fault of their own, have come to live with you and enriched your lives in ways you probably never could have imagined. Together, Scotland is stronger and prouder because of you.</p> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-blog-tags--blog.html.twig * field--node--field-blog-tags.html.twig * field--node--blog.html.twig * field--field-blog-tags.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-blog-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field--items"> <div class="field--item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1831" hreflang="en">FCF17</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1635" hreflang="en">Fostering Community Champions</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/319" hreflang="en">scotland</a></div> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <drupal-render-placeholder callback="flag.link_builder:build" arguments="0=node&amp;1=10767&amp;2=favourite_content" token="0EFKdTG-go0YJp8UT3s1zvkMVh9EWFhYe1SmvH1nBJw"></drupal-render-placeholder> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-comment--blog.html.twig * field--node--field-comment.html.twig * field--node--blog.html.twig * field--field-comment.html.twig x field--comment.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/comment/templates/field--comment.html.twig' --> <section> <h2>Add new comment</h2> <drupal-render-placeholder callback="comment.lazy_builders:renderForm" arguments="0=node&amp;1=10767&amp;2=field_comment&amp;3=comment" token="OBypok9AID2hCZyBR2B4K13a24kn0-04zdeTtBPjoIA"></drupal-render-placeholder> </section> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/comment/templates/field--comment.html.twig' --> Tue, 09 May 2017 13:54:56 +0000 Foster Care Fortnight 10767 at https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/blogs/foster-care-fortnight/scotland-has-many-things-be-proud-and-our-fostering-community-high-list#comments Better health, more stability https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/blogs/foster-care-fortnight/better-health-more-stability <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--title--blog.html.twig x field--node--title.html.twig * field--node--blog.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>Better health, more stability</span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--title.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--uid--blog.html.twig x field--node--uid.html.twig * field--node--blog.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> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'username' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/user/templates/username.html.twig' --> <span lang="" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="" content="Foster Care Fortnight">Foster Care Fo…</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--blog.html.twig x field--node--created.html.twig * field--node--blog.html.twig * field--created.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--created.html.twig' --> <span>Mon, 05/08/2017 - 14:46</span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--created.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-introduction--blog.html.twig * field--node--field-introduction.html.twig * field--node--blog.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>This blog summarises our Big Issue article from Issue 169 of Foster Care magazine about foster carers’ health and wellbeing.</p> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--body--blog.html.twig * field--node--body.html.twig * field--node--blog.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 class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field--item"><p>The health and wellbeing of foster carers plays an integral role in carers’ ability to effectively look after children. Stable placements are key to good outcomes for fostered children, and, if foster carers are struggling themselves, they may be unable to continue in their roles.</p> <p>What’s more, it’s important that foster carers set a good example to young people of how to keep themselves fit and well.</p> <p>It is unlikely that foster carers’ mental and physical health are any different than other groups of people, but they can be significantly affected looking after children and young people with high levels of need.</p> <p>Foster carers who are looking after children with the most complex needs shouldn’t be left to themselves when it comes to their physical and mental wellbeing. The evidence shows that foster carers need more support to maintain their own mental and physical health, so that they can provide stable foster care placements that help children to thrive. All fostering services should offer appropriate support to their foster carers to ensure their wellbeing - it’s good for the foster carers and, ultimately, it’s good for the children they are caring for.</p> <p>A key concern, with austerity biting, is that the wellbeing of foster carers is unlikely to be prioritised. This must change if fostering is to flourish. It is important that in times of crisis, such as when a family member is ill and at times when foster carers just need to rest and recuperate, a familiar respite carer is available to look after a fostered child.</p> <p><strong>Creative approaches</strong></p> <p>What is needed is a more creative, and consistent, approach to respite as in <a href="https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/policy-practice/projects-and-programmes/mockingbird-programme">Mockingbird</a>, a programme run by The Fostering Network with funding from the Department for Education, is an ‘extended family’ model that provides ‘satellite’ fostering families with a consistent ‘hub home’ which can provide respite. The hub home carers are a regular part of the lives of the young people from the satellite families so respite is not disruptive for a placement and provides a stable, secure and familiar setting for the children. Beyond this, the hub home also provides ongoing peer support for the satellite foster carers. One of the core principles at the heart of Mockingbird is that high levels of care should be provided for foster carers who can then in turn provide a high standard of care for children and young people.</p> <p>For some people though talking things through isn’t the most appropriate solution and instead could benefit from another approach. One such approach is Mindfulness, which involves observing what’s happening in the present moment and accepting it. It is thought to help teach self-compassion and also helps participants to suspend immediate judgement and pause before making decisions. Similarly, yoga can offer enormous helath benefits to carers and some fostering services have taken bold steps to offer their foster carers courses in practices such as yoga and mindfulness. And many do emphasise the importance of good health and wellbeing for their fostering workforce as well.</p> <p>All these factors are vital because the wellbeing of fostered children and young people depends on the wellbeing of the people looking after them.</p> <h6><a href="https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/magazines">Read this and other previous Foster Care magazine articles.</a></h6> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-blog-tags--blog.html.twig * field--node--field-blog-tags.html.twig * field--node--blog.html.twig * field--field-blog-tags.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-blog-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field--items"> <div class="field--item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1831" hreflang="en">FCF17</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1838" hreflang="en">health and wellbeing</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1673" hreflang="en">mockingbird</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1839" hreflang="en">yoga</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1840" hreflang="en">mindfulness</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/539" hreflang="en">respite</a></div> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <drupal-render-placeholder callback="flag.link_builder:build" arguments="0=node&amp;1=10759&amp;2=favourite_content" token="sR77tD5Kf3vCRxp_-m73ObCvXYN8PLpMyVz5ddsEA2U"></drupal-render-placeholder> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-comment--blog.html.twig * field--node--field-comment.html.twig * field--node--blog.html.twig * field--field-comment.html.twig x field--comment.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/comment/templates/field--comment.html.twig' --> <section> <h2>Add new comment</h2> <drupal-render-placeholder callback="comment.lazy_builders:renderForm" arguments="0=node&amp;1=10759&amp;2=field_comment&amp;3=comment" token="ww-NyGxINYG2yfWniv79kYlasJ6ZiQZHUSOwh5BxkOE"></drupal-render-placeholder> </section> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/comment/templates/field--comment.html.twig' --> Mon, 08 May 2017 14:46:26 +0000 Foster Care Fortnight 10759 at https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/blogs/foster-care-fortnight/better-health-more-stability#comments Beginning the upward spiral: The benefit of sports and activities for children and young people in care https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/blogs/foster-care-fortnight/beginning-upward-spiral-benefit-sports-and-activities-children-and <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--title--blog.html.twig x field--node--title.html.twig * field--node--blog.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>Beginning the upward spiral: The benefit of sports and activities for children and young people in care</span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--title.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--uid--blog.html.twig x field--node--uid.html.twig * field--node--blog.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> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'username' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/user/templates/username.html.twig' --> <span lang="" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="" content="Foster Care Fortnight">Foster Care Fo…</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--blog.html.twig x field--node--created.html.twig * field--node--blog.html.twig * field--created.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--created.html.twig' --> <span>Mon, 05/08/2017 - 11:36</span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--created.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-introduction--blog.html.twig * field--node--field-introduction.html.twig * field--node--blog.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>In this blog Craig, a development worker&nbsp;on our Fostering Achievement programme in Northern Ireland, highlights the physical and social benefits of sport and activities for children in foster care.</p> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--body--blog.html.twig * field--node--body.html.twig * field--node--blog.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 class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field--item"><p>Studies have shown that childhood obesity has a direct correlation to levels of socioeconomic deprivation and that participation in physical activity has physical, mental and economics benefits.</p> <p>It therefore can not be emphasised enough, the importance of encouraging and providing opportunities for sporting and recreational activities for children and young people in care who often have experienced a difficult start in life such as trauma, neglect and deprivation (43 per cent of looked after children&nbsp;come from the 20 per cent most deprived areas within Northern Ireland*).&nbsp;</p> <p>Foster carers provide the 24/7 care for the majority of this&nbsp;group and have a crucial responsibility to provide an environment that promotes a healthy lifestyle including encouraging the social and emotional development of the children they care for.</p> <p>The negative impact of insecurity and adversity early in life on the confidence, resilience and self-esteem of children and young people in care can result in lower goal-setting as they try to protect what is sometimes a fragile and battered self-identity.</p> <p>A sense of achievement for children and young people in care can be gained by providing opportunities to participate in activities, away from the formal education setting in which they perform disproportionally poorly when compared to the general school-aged population*.&nbsp; Successful development of an interest or hobby can also spark a confidence to try new things and begin the upward spiral of positive-thinking that can lead to success in other areas of life.</p> <p>All parents will appreciate that activities can be a costly affair and certain types of activities such as martial arts, horse riding and even team sports can require expensive.&nbsp; It is therefore essential that foster carers are supported financially so the child they care for can have access to the same opportunities as their peers.&nbsp;</p> <p>In Northern Ireland The Fostering Network has had the privilege for the last 10 years of operating the <a href="https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/policy-practice/projects-and-programmes/fostering-achievement">Fostering Achievement</a> scheme, funded through the Health and Social Care Board,which, among other things, supports foster carers to provide opportunities for the children and young people they care for to achieve an active and healthy life-style.</p> <p>These activities, while helping to build confidence and new skills, can also support placement stability by giving foster carers the opportunity to encourage/praise success and build relationships with those they care for.&nbsp; If the child or young person has moved to a new area when they entered the foster placement, it can also lead to greater socialisation by giving opportunities to mix with and form new friendships.&nbsp; One of the biggest influences on developing positive self worth is peer-to-peer relationships and therefore promoting positive role-models and social groups in local clubs/activities is invaluable to develop great team-work, coordination and communication skills.</p> <p>Every new positive experience a foster can bring to a child can help displace a previous negative one.</p> <p>* National Statistics for Children in Care in Northern Ireland 2014/15 Statistical Bulletin</p> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-blog-tags--blog.html.twig * field--node--field-blog-tags.html.twig * field--node--blog.html.twig * field--field-blog-tags.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-blog-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field--items"> <div class="field--item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1831" hreflang="en">FCF17</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1606" hreflang="en">Fostering Achievement</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1837" hreflang="en">sports</a></div> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <drupal-render-placeholder callback="flag.link_builder:build" arguments="0=node&amp;1=10758&amp;2=favourite_content" token="kh4KH1UAc4avFsXwk2QqrGOEtq-4ZLZMPnuzzoSR680"></drupal-render-placeholder> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-comment--blog.html.twig * field--node--field-comment.html.twig * field--node--blog.html.twig * field--field-comment.html.twig x field--comment.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/comment/templates/field--comment.html.twig' --> <section> <h2>Add new comment</h2> <drupal-render-placeholder callback="comment.lazy_builders:renderForm" arguments="0=node&amp;1=10758&amp;2=field_comment&amp;3=comment" token="TYFknYNiNyEnHf4Zzc_TjPwOXcAe8-i4YootC-6_SvA"></drupal-render-placeholder> </section> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/comment/templates/field--comment.html.twig' --> Mon, 08 May 2017 11:36:38 +0000 Foster Care Fortnight 10758 at https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/blogs/foster-care-fortnight/beginning-upward-spiral-benefit-sports-and-activities-children-and#comments Our work in Wales https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/blogs/foster-care-fortnight/our-work-wales <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--title--blog.html.twig x field--node--title.html.twig * field--node--blog.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>Our work in Wales</span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--title.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--uid--blog.html.twig x field--node--uid.html.twig * field--node--blog.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> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'username' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/user/templates/username.html.twig' --> <span lang="" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="" content="Foster Care Fortnight">Foster Care Fo…</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--blog.html.twig x field--node--created.html.twig * field--node--blog.html.twig * field--created.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--created.html.twig' --> <span>Sun, 05/07/2017 - 17:35</span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--created.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-introduction--blog.html.twig * field--node--field-introduction.html.twig * field--node--blog.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>Director of The Fostering Network in Wales, Colin Turner, gives an update of our work in Wales our new project Fostering Wellbeing.</p> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--body--blog.html.twig * field--node--body.html.twig * field--node--blog.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 class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field--item"><p>The Fostering Network in Wales has a long history of delivering targeted programmes and interventions that contribute to transforming the lives of hundreds of children and young people who are looked after. Currently, over four-fifths of the children in care who are looked after away from home and family are being looked after by foster carers, and our role in supporting those carers and advocating for them has never been more important.</p> <p>For some time there has been a strong consensus in Wales that there is a need for a National Fostering Framework. Through working with Welsh Government and colleagues from across the fostering sector we have been vociferous in our influencing activity to address some of the key challenges that are threatening to undermine the effectiveness of fostering services in Wales. For example, the involvement which young people have in their care planning issues to do with recruitment and retention of foster carers, the support, protection, status, respect and recompense afforded to foster carers and, in particular, the relationships between local authorities and independent fostering providers.</p> <p>As a member of the Strategic Steering Group associated to The National Fostering Framework we have been pleased to contribute to a strategic plan aimed at transforming fostering provision in Wales.&nbsp; We need to be assured that foster carers will be available to children and young people who need them, in sufficient numbers, to play their crucial role in providing children in care with the health, well-being and future prospects they need and deserve.</p> <h5><strong>The last 12 months</strong></h5> <p>The past year has been particularly exciting for us in Wales, as we have seen &nbsp;two of our major programmes, <a href="https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/policy-practice/projects-and-programmes/confidence-in-care">Confidence in Care </a>and <a href="https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/policy-practice/projects-and-programmes/fostering-excellence">Fostering Excellence</a>, continue to &nbsp;make a significant contribution to improving outcomes for looked after children.</p> <p>Confidence in Care is transforming the delivery of foster, kinship and residential care, by improving the confidence, competence and skills of carers by using an evidence-based approach to care and peer support. The programme continues to add immense value to statutory provision and with robust evaluation in place will evidence of how to successfully improve outcomes for children.</p> <p>The funding we receive for our Fostering Excellence Programme continues to allow us to support fostering families across Wales, as they look after over 4,200 fostered children and young people every day. This support includes Fosterline Wales which provides a high quality, bi-lingual information and advice line for foster carers and other fostering professionals. We are also using the funding to support local authorities with the recruitment and retention of foster carers, helping to deliver the Foster Carers’ Charter in Wales, and the establishment of an ambassadors scheme for foster carers, fostered children and young people.This funding has also allowed us to bring The Fostering Network’s pioneering <em>Fostering Achievement </em>model to Wales, enabling foster carers, teachers and social workers to gain the skills, competence and confidence needed to help inspire and equip children to fulfil their potential.</p> <p>Another of our key roles is to promote the educational needs and attainment of looked after children. We have worked closely with Cardiff University (CASCADE) and disseminated the important messages contained within their report - 'Understanding the Educational Experiences and Opinions, Attainment, Achievement and Aspirations of Looked After Children in Wales'.&nbsp;</p> <p>Our new programme Fostering Wellbeing combines social pedagogic principles and learning from our <a href="https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/policy-practice/projects-and-programmes/head-heart-hands">Head, Heart, Hands</a> programme, with core elements of our education focused activities from London Fostering Achievement. This hybrid model will deliver a holistic programme, predicated on wellbeing and in alignment with the Government’s narrative in Wales. The programme recognises that in improving outcomes, multi-agency working through a partnership framework across social services, health and education is essential.</p> <h6>If you would like to learn more about our work in Wales, and join us on our journey please email&nbsp;<a href="mailto:Colin.turner@fostering.net">Colin.turner@fostering.net</a></h6> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-blog-tags--blog.html.twig * field--node--field-blog-tags.html.twig * field--node--blog.html.twig * field--field-blog-tags.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-blog-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field--items"> <div class="field--item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1831" hreflang="en">FCF17</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1833" hreflang="en">Wales</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1834" hreflang="en">Confidence in care</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1835" hreflang="en">fostering excellence</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1836" hreflang="en">fostering wellbeing</a></div> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <drupal-render-placeholder callback="flag.link_builder:build" arguments="0=node&amp;1=10756&amp;2=favourite_content" token="IXqEjRMNQG8B8vqmDG5qKT_py45Hvnr3MrZiUbDfpDw"></drupal-render-placeholder> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-comment--blog.html.twig * field--node--field-comment.html.twig * field--node--blog.html.twig * field--field-comment.html.twig x field--comment.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/comment/templates/field--comment.html.twig' --> <section> <h2>Add new comment</h2> <drupal-render-placeholder callback="comment.lazy_builders:renderForm" arguments="0=node&amp;1=10756&amp;2=field_comment&amp;3=comment" token="ZW7DxYpRBItwveiaTzjZeEFE0lIoODGae3kV9z4SHRE"></drupal-render-placeholder> </section> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/comment/templates/field--comment.html.twig' --> Sun, 07 May 2017 17:35:32 +0000 Foster Care Fortnight 10756 at https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/blogs/foster-care-fortnight/our-work-wales#comments The importance of identity https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/blogs/foster-care-fortnight/importance-identity <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--title--blog.html.twig x field--node--title.html.twig * field--node--blog.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>The importance of identity</span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--title.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--uid--blog.html.twig x field--node--uid.html.twig * field--node--blog.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> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'username' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/user/templates/username.html.twig' --> <span lang="" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="" content="Foster Care Fortnight">Foster Care Fo…</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--blog.html.twig x field--node--created.html.twig * field--node--blog.html.twig * field--created.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--created.html.twig' --> <span>Sun, 05/07/2017 - 17:21</span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--created.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-introduction--blog.html.twig * field--node--field-introduction.html.twig * field--node--blog.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">James Foyle will be leading our new Muslim Fostering Project and in this blog touches on the importance of faith and identity in foster care.</div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--body--blog.html.twig * field--node--body.html.twig * field--node--blog.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 class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field--item"><p>Faith, culture, identity – these should all be factoring into the matching decisions fostering services are making on a daily basis to ensure children are placed with the best foster carer for them.</p> <p>Our identities are who we are, who we’ve been and who we will become. It is, therefore, essential to fully understand identity before making potentially life changing decisions for looked after children and young people.</p> <p>The Fostering Network, in partnership with Mercy Mission are about to embark on a project to research the current issues for Muslim children in foster care, Muslim foster carers and some of the barriers and opportunities presented to fostering services to engage Muslim communities. Funded by the Better Community Business Network, <a href="https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/news/2017/muslim-fostering-project-launched-charity-gala-0">The Muslim Fostering Project</a> will be gathering data, working with local authorities, and getting the message out to the Muslim community that we need them to fully engage in foster care and potentially come forward to foster.</p> <p>Of course, matching is more sophisticated than simply placing a Muslim child with a Muslim family, for example. But where a Muslim child cannot be matched with someone who knows and understands their faith and cultural identity, we need to make sure that their foster carer is supported to care for them to the best of their ability and achieve the best outcomes for that child. Foster carers need to know how important it is for that child to eat halal, or when it is appropriate for them to attend Friday prayers. These, among a myriad other factors, will form a Muslim fostered child’s identity.</p> <p>This project is part of a wider initiative, our Fostering Identity Programme, which will be exploring other cultural, faith and heritage backgrounds to paint a picture of the current needs of looked after children, foster carers and the breadth of support available to each group. We are hopeful that this work will lead to specific training resources and other products and services that will better help our members care for the children they foster.</p> <p>We are passionate in helping children and young people in foster care with any identity to achieve their potential.</p> <h6>For more information on the Muslim Fostering Project, please contact <a href="mailto:james.foyle@fostering.net">james.foyle@fostering.net</a></h6> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-blog-tags--blog.html.twig * field--node--field-blog-tags.html.twig * field--node--blog.html.twig * field--field-blog-tags.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-blog-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field--items"> <div class="field--item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1831" hreflang="en">FCF17</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1844" hreflang="en">muslim fostering project</a></div> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <drupal-render-placeholder callback="flag.link_builder:build" arguments="0=node&amp;1=10755&amp;2=favourite_content" token="_0rnN0fQBBHdcBBHO_x7DTUKbB2TCGvQsy7hlJoH3EU"></drupal-render-placeholder> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-comment--blog.html.twig * field--node--field-comment.html.twig * field--node--blog.html.twig * field--field-comment.html.twig x field--comment.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/comment/templates/field--comment.html.twig' --> <section> <h2>Add new comment</h2> <drupal-render-placeholder callback="comment.lazy_builders:renderForm" arguments="0=node&amp;1=10755&amp;2=field_comment&amp;3=comment" token="4A7ai-knhZFM63LRCJH_G_oPUBitti9Sf1JmQHpGi60"></drupal-render-placeholder> </section> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/comment/templates/field--comment.html.twig' --> Sun, 07 May 2017 17:21:13 +0000 Foster Care Fortnight 10755 at https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/blogs/foster-care-fortnight/importance-identity#comments Fundraisers proud to support fostering https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/blogs/foster-care-fortnight/fundraisers-proud-support-fostering <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--title--blog.html.twig x field--node--title.html.twig * field--node--blog.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>Fundraisers proud to support fostering</span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--title.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--uid--blog.html.twig x field--node--uid.html.twig * field--node--blog.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> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'username' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/user/templates/username.html.twig' --> <span lang="" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="" content="Foster Care Fortnight">Foster Care Fo…</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--blog.html.twig x field--node--created.html.twig * field--node--blog.html.twig * field--created.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--created.html.twig' --> <span>Sun, 05/07/2017 - 16:46</span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--created.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-introduction--blog.html.twig * field--node--field-introduction.html.twig * field--node--blog.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>In this blog Phil Jacob, The Fostering Network's fundraising and development&nbsp;manager, takes us through some of the great lengths our supporters have gone to in the name of raising money.</p> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--body--blog.html.twig * field--node--body.html.twig * field--node--blog.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 class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field--item"><p>Every day at The Fostering Network we hear stories of how foster care transforms lives, from children who have found happiness and confidence in their foster families, to foster carers and their sons and daughters whose lives are enriched by new experiences and new relationships.</p> <p>If I look back at some of the things our extraordinary supporters have made possible over the last few months, it’s obvious that everyone can join this cause, make something positive happen and, at the very least, come away with unique memories and new friends.</p> <h5><strong>Witness these unusual scenes:</strong></h5> <p>At the foot of a mountain in the early morning light, with only a small group of sheep looking on, a group of hikers prepare their day’s kit: water, snacks, a luxurious new mattress and a bed frame.</p> <p>Two men carry a large display case through the corridors of a prestigious London hotel, passing an enormous tray of samosas. Inside the case is one of Muhammad Ali’s boxing gloves.</p> <p>Elsewhere, a boy picks out some clothes to wear for the day. Each item is bright orange and he sets the outfit off with an orange wig.</p> <p>A professional film crew train their cameras across a family’s kitchen floor, waiting for two small dogs to scamper into shot.</p> <p>A team of bright young minds from a major bank meet to discuss important business. Item one: the disco playlist.</p> <p>These, of course, were all preparations for some of the fantastic events made possible by our supporters across the UK.</p> <p>The mountainside mattress was delivered to the summit of Snowdon by an intrepid team from Dreams, who carried and assembled an entire bed 3,000 feet above sea level, raising well over £6,000. This was just one of the amazing things that our friends at Dreams have been doing to support our work this year and they have lots more planned.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>Muhammad Ali’s boxing glove was auctioned at a gala dinner - organised by the Better Communities Business Network and addressed by Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan. Hundreds of volunteers and guests, many from Muslim communities, came together to raise over £130,000 in support of our <a href="https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/fundraise/corporate-support/better-community-business-network">Muslim Fostering Project</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>The two small dogs belong to foster carers, Darren and Karen, who invited a film crew into their home. The powerful <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pytOE69UQeU&amp;feature=youtu.be">film</a>, produced for free by our friends at CTN Communications, will inspire others to think about fostering.</p> <p>The orange wig was worn with pride at Foster Walk London yesterday, where fostering families, fostering services, friends and supporters got together for a great day out along London’s Southbank. This year, we finished with a great celebration put together by a fantastic team from Barclays. As well as the all-important disco, Barclays are laying on a fantastic spread of food, balloons, fun and games.</p> <p>If you haven’t already, why not join the fun this Foster Care Fortnight? Have a look at our <a href="https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/fundraise/ways-fundraise/foster-walk">fundraising page</a> for a list of events and ideas.</p> <h5><strong>Another cause for celebration</strong></h5> <p>This Foster Care Fortnight sees the launch of the next phase of our <a href="https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/media-release/2017/mockingbird-programme-be-expanded-result-further-funding">Mockingbird programme</a>. A £3.76m grant from the Department for Education means we can roll out this innovative model of foster care at 12 partner sites across England over the next three years. Mockingbird brings local foster families together in an extended family model, which has already seen huge benefits for children and their foster carers.</p> <p>The strength of an extended family comes from people sharing their experiences and support for the benefit of children. The feedback from participants also shows that being part of Mockingbird can be an extremely rewarding experience.</p> <h5><strong>Here’s to you</strong></h5> <p>I’d like to thank our supporters who have come together from all walks of life, in all manner of outfits, and performing all sorts of tasks, to join our extended family and make such a huge difference.</p> <p>We are glad that you are proud to support fostering.</p> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-blog-tags--blog.html.twig * field--node--field-blog-tags.html.twig * field--node--blog.html.twig * field--field-blog-tags.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-blog-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field--items"> <div class="field--item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1831" hreflang="en">FCF17</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/532" hreflang="en">Fundraising</a></div> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <drupal-render-placeholder callback="flag.link_builder:build" arguments="0=node&amp;1=10753&amp;2=favourite_content" token="-SyKM_iZjDpx81H4tQh23rnyze04HmYU9iKRXjErn58"></drupal-render-placeholder> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-comment--blog.html.twig * field--node--field-comment.html.twig * field--node--blog.html.twig * field--field-comment.html.twig x field--comment.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/comment/templates/field--comment.html.twig' --> <section> <h2>Add new comment</h2> <drupal-render-placeholder callback="comment.lazy_builders:renderForm" arguments="0=node&amp;1=10753&amp;2=field_comment&amp;3=comment" token="1NKgWbneznPLIyaSqxgTczz7_g2asIlcbx6B8-tdWmY"></drupal-render-placeholder> </section> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/comment/templates/field--comment.html.twig' --> Sun, 07 May 2017 16:46:21 +0000 Foster Care Fortnight 10753 at https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/blogs/foster-care-fortnight/fundraisers-proud-support-fostering#comments Building strong and lasting bonds https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/blogs/foster-care-fortnight/building-strong-and-lasting-bonds <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--title--blog.html.twig x field--node--title.html.twig * field--node--blog.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>Building strong and lasting bonds</span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--title.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--uid--blog.html.twig x field--node--uid.html.twig * field--node--blog.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> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'username' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/user/templates/username.html.twig' --> <span lang="" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="" content="Foster Care Fortnight">Foster Care Fo…</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--blog.html.twig x field--node--created.html.twig * field--node--blog.html.twig * field--created.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--created.html.twig' --> <span>Sun, 05/07/2017 - 16:27</span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--created.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-introduction--blog.html.twig * field--node--field-introduction.html.twig * field--node--blog.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>Melissa Green is the director of operations for The Fostering Network. In this blog Melissa highlights the importance of stability in foster care and how our Mocking programme is delivering it.</p> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--body--blog.html.twig * field--node--body.html.twig * field--node--blog.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 class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field--item"><p>It was with a mix of interest and concern that I read the news about the Children’s Commissioner’s new <a href="https://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/Children%27s%20Commissioner%27s%20Stability%20Index%202017%20Overview%20Document%201.3.pdf">stability index</a> which was launched last month. Interest because this is a really valuable piece of work that could help us identify and get to the heart of the systemic issues which increase the instability in the lives of looked after children. Concern because this work highlights that instability remains the key characteristic of the experience of our looked after children with 71 per cent of looked after children experiencing at least one major life change in the last 12 months.</p> <p>This tool recognises what we all know to be true, that it is relationships, continuity and community that provide young people with stability (and the breaking of these relationships that does harm). Of those relationships, foster carers, teachers and social workers are key. However, it asks us not to look at each of these relationships in isolation but to look at the network that young people have around them and the impact on their lives when these are constantly changing.</p> <p>This has been an area at the forefront of our minds over the last 12 months as we have developed the <a href="https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/policy-practice/projects-and-programmes/mockingbird-programme">Mockingbird</a> programme. If we know that the experience of looked after children is often characterised by change, how can we do things differently and create an environment where young people can develop meaningful and long-lasting relationships? &nbsp;The Mockingbird Family Model works by bringing families and professional teams together into one community, with strong and lasting relationships are at its heart. The role of the ‘hub carer’ – a source of support for young people and foster carers in the other ‘satellite’ households – provides stability, continuity and security.</p> <h3>Providing support and a breathing space</h3> <p>What we are seeing from Mockingbird is families and communities that are building strong and lasting bonds. Where placements are supported and there is ‘breathing space’ when it is needed. Where problems are shared and resolved together and relationships are made on many levels with families from across the community. Where young people have multiple strong and lasting relationships and where change is planned and supported. &nbsp;For The Fostering Network, Mockingbird offers something which goes to the heart of what the stability index is showing us: lasting relationships are what matter. As a result we want to work with our members and stakeholders from across the fostering community to explore how we can scale up the Mockingbird model to reach more families.</p> <p>As we look ahead to the coming year, we have big plans for the Mockingbird programme across the UK. Each year we are bringing on-board new fostering service partners who will work with us to establish the Mockingbird model locally- not as a one-off intervention, but as a new approach to the way fostering is set up and how young people and foster carers are supported. We are not simply implementing a model developed in the US, but translating and developing it carefully in partnership with the fostering community to ensure it is tailored to the needs of our young people in the UK. I am delighted to share that we have a further 10 services who have joined the programme in the last few months and we have a rapidly growing community of interest from across the UK.</p> <p>The speed of growth of the model is a testament to the fostering services and the hundreds of foster carers, children and young people who have been our trailblazers over the last two years - and I wanted to say a heartfelt thank you to them. They have shown the model can, and does, work and that there is an alternative to a system characterised by what the Children’s Commissioner described as young people ‘pinballing’ around the system. Our Mockingbird families have inspired us by building a strong fostering community that offers our looked after children the security, constancy and love of an extended family and a strong foundation for life.</p> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-blog-tags--blog.html.twig * field--node--field-blog-tags.html.twig * field--node--blog.html.twig * field--field-blog-tags.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-blog-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field--items"> <div class="field--item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1831" hreflang="en">FCF17</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/799" hreflang="en">foster care fortnight</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1673" hreflang="en">mockingbird</a></div> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <drupal-render-placeholder callback="flag.link_builder:build" arguments="0=node&amp;1=10752&amp;2=favourite_content" token="WUvOrLbLUsXeKXWt1h2u4pVSmhQBrMKGBomYXaH-n0w"></drupal-render-placeholder> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-comment--blog.html.twig * field--node--field-comment.html.twig * field--node--blog.html.twig * field--field-comment.html.twig x field--comment.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/comment/templates/field--comment.html.twig' --> <section> <h2>Add new comment</h2> <drupal-render-placeholder callback="comment.lazy_builders:renderForm" arguments="0=node&amp;1=10752&amp;2=field_comment&amp;3=comment" token="Vgism9fFnthemY_14VeFkgLw1CV_qXeFPokXuNEJcps"></drupal-render-placeholder> </section> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/comment/templates/field--comment.html.twig' --> Sun, 07 May 2017 16:27:48 +0000 Foster Care Fortnight 10752 at https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/blogs/foster-care-fortnight/building-strong-and-lasting-bonds#comments