Programmes https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/ en England projects helping in lockdown https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/blogs/davideggboro/england-projects-helping-lockdown <!-- 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>England projects helping in lockdown</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="">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--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, 05/15/2020 - 14:02</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>Almost three quarters of the children in care looked after away from home are in foster care, and that is one reason why raising awareness of the phenomenal contribution of the fostering community is so important. And that’s where Foster Care Fortnight<sup>TM</sup> comes in…</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>Our two-week campaign aims to push fostering further up the agenda than at any other time of the year and to enable a few extra column inches, tv and radio minutes or social media posts to be devoted to the vital, yet underappreciated role of the fostering community.</p> <p>It is an opportunity for us to celebrate the outstanding work that is taking place around the UK be it within fostering households, fostering services and local authorities, or as part of The Fostering Network’s own projects and programmes.</p> <p>During Foster Care Fortnight we take a day to focus on each of the four nations of the UK. Today (Friday) it’s the turn of England. The fostering community in England is huge – more than 56,000 children and young people live with 44,500 foster families or friends and family carers. Then there are the tens of thousands of social workers and other children’s social care staff, let alone the wider group of people who offer practical support and friendship to foster families.</p> <p>Seeing as Foster Care Fortnight is a celebration of fostering and an opportunity to highlight the transformational power of fostering, why don’t we look at a programme which has taken an innovative approach to fostering and gone from strength to strength thanks to collaboration with our members.</p> <p><a href="http://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/policy-practice/projects-and-programmes/mockingbird-programme">The Mockingbird Programme</a> began in England in 2015-2016 with the aim of strengthening the relationships between carers, children and young people, fostering services and birth families. The programme started with just eight fostering services using the extended family model to provide sleepovers and short breaks, peer support, regular joint planning and training, as well as social activities for all. &nbsp;</p> <p>There are now 38 Mockingbird partners supporting over 1,500 members of fostering families. And as if that wasn’t enough, findings published last year indicated that as a result of the support of being part of Mockingbird:</p> <ul> <li>87 foster carer resignations were avoided&nbsp;</li> <li>115 children and young people have remained with their fostering family despite substantial risks of this relationship breaking down.&nbsp;<br /> &nbsp;</li> </ul> <p>The strong relationships and inter-household bonds which have been developed and nurtured as part of the Mockingbird community are perhaps now, more important than ever with Mockingbird carers finding new ways to support each other and the children in their care even at a distance.&nbsp;</p> <p>Another significant factor in living through the recent lockdown environment has been the need for foster carers to help their children with homeschooling.</p> <p>Happily our education project <a href="http://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/policy-practice/projects-and-programmes/fostering-potential">Fostering Potential</a> has been underway for some time and its aim to support foster carers’ knowledge and confidence in their role as ‘first educators’ is particularly apt in these present times. An initial evaluation of Fostering Potential showed that the greatest impact of the work was in increasing foster carers’ confidence to support the education of their fostered children. Thanks again to partnership with our members and other sector organisations there have been a series of <a href="http://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/policy-practice/projects-and-programmes/fostering-potential/fostering-potential-webinars">webinars</a> and a very popular early in the year event attended by foster carers, social workers and staff from virtual schools. You can also read our blog written by the Fostering Potential project manager, called ‘<a href="http://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/blogs/davideggboro/supporting-learning-during-periods-school-closure-guide-fostering-families">Supporting learning during periods of school closure: a guide for fostering families</a>’.</p> <p>The Mockingbird Programme and Fostering Potential are just two examples illustrating the outstanding capability, capacity and resolve of foster families, friends and family carers and fostering service staff to look after the children and young people in foster care. A huge thank you to them and to everyone in the fostering community in England and the rest of the UK.</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/2048" hreflang="en">FCF20</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/1882" hreflang="en">Programmes</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1673" hreflang="en">mockingbird</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1685" hreflang="en">education</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=11967&amp;2=favourite_content" token="PlkQUDnVS33fbsmyoMHXHdy8IUaWWioOeCr9yrdrV30"></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=11967&amp;2=field_comment&amp;3=comment" token="hoZEkC2ZqBnENC3_XZAcs4V8EfuA_l096QXHxGF3_jk"></drupal-render-placeholder> </section> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/comment/templates/field--comment.html.twig' --> Fri, 15 May 2020 14:02:49 +0000 DavidEggboro 11967 at https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/blogs/davideggboro/england-projects-helping-lockdown#comments Hub pets part one – introducing John the ‘Satellite’ Rat https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/blogs/n-b-lakhani/hub-pets-part-one-introducing-john-satellite-rat <!-- 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>Hub pets part one – introducing John the ‘Satellite’ Rat</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="">N B Lakhani</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, 03/27/2018 - 10:16</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">Our Mockingbird programme is growing rapidly, with new constellations (fostering households gathered around a hub home which offers planned and emergency respite, advice, training and support) popping up across the country. One of the unexpected joys of the programme is the emergence of the important role played by ‘hub animals’: pets that were part of the household before the family took on the role of the hub home and have now become a much loved member of the wider constellation family. The presence of these animals within the hub home adds to the variety of experiences for children and young people - and often provides another important relationship to support young people to learn new skills and confidences. We are collecting some great stories about the impact of pets living in the satellite homes – with some even accompanying children and young people at sleepovers in the hub home!</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"><h3>John the satellite rat</h3> <p>Freya, our Mockingbird programme implementation manager, had an unusual experience when visiting a Mockingbird hub home in Doncaster…</p> <p>‘I was sat in the front room having a chat with our hub home carer Tracy and some of her satellite carers when there was a knock at the door. Tracy went to answer it – she came back in carrying a cage containing "John the rat"!'</p> <p>John the rat was a pet belonging to one of the satellite families in Tracy’s constellation. This satellite family was caring for a young girl called Sophie (not her real name) who has very complex needs and a history of multiple placement breakdowns.</p> <p>Unfortunately, Sophie had also experienced a number of occasions when she would go to respite carers and then never return to her main carers. Because of this history, Sophie was understandably very reluctant to accept the sleepover care that’s available through Mockingbird. However, the Doncaster team knew that to preserve the placement - and help Sophie to thrive – the sleepover support would be vital.</p> <p>After several months of getting to know Tracy and building up her trust in the relationship, it was Sophie herself who came up with a solution. She really loved John the rat and knew that her foster carers loved him too – so she suggested that she would have a sleepover at Tracy’s house, on the proviso that John the rat could go with her.</p> <p>Tracy was more than happy to accommodate this and so it was agreed that Sophie’s foster carer would drop John the rat off at Tracy’s house so that he would already be there when Tracy brought Sophie back to the hub home after school. The sleepover went ahead successfully and was a really important development moment for Sophie and her relationship with her carer and with her hub home carer.<br /> <br /> We love this story because it demonstrates a brilliant creativity and flexibility that’s possible within the Mockingbird programme. It’s also a really interesting story that highlights some incredibly important and complex issues around attachment, trust, and relationships and showcases the impact and importance that pets can have for young people in care.’</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3><strong>The Mockingbird Programme</strong></h3> <p>The Fostering Network’s <a href="https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/policy-practice/projects-and-programmes/mockingbird-programme">Mockingbird programme</a> is an innovative method of delivering foster care using the Mockingbird family Model. This is an extended family model which provides respite care, peer support, regular joint planning and training, and social activities.</p> <p>The approach centres on a <strong>constellation </strong>where one foster home acts as a <strong>hub home</strong>, offering planned and emergency respite, advice, training, and support, to six to 10 <strong>satellite </strong>fostering or kinship care families.</p> <p>For more information, please <a href="https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/policy-practice/projects-and-programmes/mockingbird-programme">visit the main programme page</a>. Also, watch this space for the next hub pet episode, possibly featuring Elvis the Pig!</p> <p>&nbsp;</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/1882" hreflang="en">Programmes</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=11212&amp;2=favourite_content" token="n7U0jSiQja77wQ7BJr05Cie9iawxg3TgtYY65OIVppI"></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=11212&amp;2=field_comment&amp;3=comment" token="wWOO29gksrpUqNn9RZssUgHRuXghGGbBVc9GCTWa6nE"></drupal-render-placeholder> </section> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/comment/templates/field--comment.html.twig' --> Tue, 27 Mar 2018 10:16:32 +0000 N B Lakhani 11212 at https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/blogs/n-b-lakhani/hub-pets-part-one-introducing-john-satellite-rat#comments Learning together https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/blogs/davideggboro/learning-together <!-- 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>Learning together</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="">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--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, 01/12/2018 - 13:30</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>Kirk Hawksworth is a senior supervising social worker for TACT (The Adolescent and Children’s Trust) and has been delivering Fostering Changes training in recent years as part of the Confidence in Care Consortium. He is the lead facilitator for the trust under this initiative and also has an active caseload of 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--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"><h3>About the programme</h3> <p>The Fostering Changes programme is made up of 12 sessions advocating a very gentle way of working with children and young people and placing a focus upon building and establishing the relationships between the child and the foster carer. Aspects of the course are similar to other training or learning, such as attachment theory, however Fostering Changes does not require a foster carer to have attended any particular prior training and those new to fostering will find it easy to understand and follow. The only requirement that the programme has is that a foster carer needs to have a child in placement with them.</p> <h3><br /> Not 'chalk and talk'</h3> <p>Fostering Changes is not a ‘chalk and talk’ type of programme – foster carers are encouraged to engage with one another and with the facilitators, which I think is one of the programme’s biggest strengths. We use a number of different mediums throughout the course including small and large group discussion, observing practice, watching videos, and having a go!</p> <p>At the end of each session, each participant is tasked with trying out one of the skills, which we have discussed during the session, at home. The following session we have a chat about how this went. It is during this part of each session that foster carers tend to learn from each other – examples of good practice are discussed, challenges are worked through and suggestions that might make things easier the next time are made.</p> <p>Each session builds upon the skills and knowledge from the previous session so no-one feels as though they have been ‘thrown in at the deep end’. It is also important that the programme is constantly evaluated to ensure that it is meeting the needs of foster carers, so, at the end of each session, foster carers are asked to complete an evaluation form letting us know how we did as facilitators. We are always conscious of addressing this feedback before we next see the group.</p> <h3><br /> Working towards a sense of camaraderie</h3> <p>Another of the programme’s strengths is foster carers being in the same group for an extended period of time. This encourages them to share thoughts, experiences, and memories, and it promotes a relaxed atmosphere where they can have a laugh together. It helps foster carers to know that other people share their feelings and understand why they feel the way they do.</p> <p>In my experience, foster carers tend to share more in this group with other foster carers than they would normally share within a learning environment. It helps that, as facilitators, we share a bit of ourselves too – anecdotes from our experience as social workers, as parents, as people. For this reason, the group is considered to be ‘closed’ once it has formed. It is hard for people to share in an environment where there are constantly new people appearing within the group.</p> <h3><br /> Overcoming challenges and the programme's future</h3> <p>The model of delivery that we use includes having up to two social workers on the course along with the foster carers themselves. This can take a bit of getting used to for some foster carers who may be feeling that they are being observed, or evaluated. However social workers attending the group are doing so on the same basis as everyone else, and are expected to share and get involved in the same way, which has been very successful.</p> <p>The Confidence in Care programme is funded to provide three support groups following each course, with the hope that foster carers continue to meet up and support each other. The hope is that foster carers can then ensure a larger, more familiar support network to help them in the work that they do.</p> <h6><a href="https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/policy-practice/projects-and-programmes/confidence-in-care">Find out more about Confidence in Care</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/1882" hreflang="en">Programmes</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1833" hreflang="en">Wales</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1887" hreflang="en">training</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1834" hreflang="en">Confidence in care</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=11102&amp;2=favourite_content" token="eXg-oPeA_X_arcESraGaQQ0kAiwMglUfi0Ion5fhc4g"></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=11102&amp;2=field_comment&amp;3=comment" token="pL7RvMo2w9DmYgy2COPXl5HRuwU1YenpK2FWvaFuBGw"></drupal-render-placeholder> </section> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/comment/templates/field--comment.html.twig' --> Fri, 12 Jan 2018 13:30:51 +0000 DavidEggboro 11102 at https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/blogs/davideggboro/learning-together#comments 'Step Up Step Down': improving life in the household https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/blogs/n-b-lakhani/step-step-down-improving-life-household-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>&#039;Step Up Step Down&#039;: improving life in the household</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="">N B Lakhani</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>Wed, 01/10/2018 - 16:35</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>There are times in life when all of us need a bit of support. Step Up Step Down is an innovative pilot programme of support care, funded by the Big Lottery’s Reaching Out, Supporting Families initiative, which The Fostering Network delivers in partnership with the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust in Northern Ireland.</p> <p>In this blog, Jade Irwin - programme&nbsp;officer for Step Up Step Down (pictured below with other staff and volunteers) - tells us more about the impact of the programme.</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"><h3><strong>What is Step Up Step Down and how does it work?</strong></h3> <p>Step Up Step Down provides a programme of holistic and needs led support, with the family support foster carer meeting regularly with parents in a mentoring role, alongside providing short breaks.</p> <p>The programme officer from The Fostering Network completes outcomes star evaluations with the parents and children at the beginning, throughout and at the end of the programme. This evaluation tool helps families identify areas where they need support, as well as being able to see the progress they have made.</p> <h3><strong>What impact has it had so far?</strong></h3> <p>According to one of our families, life before Step Up Step Down was ‘chaos’ and ’everyone shouted and no one listened.’ The outcomes star evaluation at the beginning highlighted that for this family implementing boundaries, keeping the children safe, communicating well as a family, and the wellbeing of the parent were key areas to be developed.</p> <p>Since Step Up Step Down has been involved, family life has significantly improved. The parent explains that 'We talk to each other now instead of shouting all the time, and I’m controlling my temper too. I’m learning how to get time for myself so that I’m calmer for the kids.'</p> <p>Another parent described that before Step Up Step Down was involved, she ‘kept hitting dead ends’ when she tried to get supp<img alt="Step Up Step Down staff and volunteers" src="/sites/default/files/uploads/step_up_step_down_staff_and_volunteers.jpg" style="float:right; height:300px; margin-left:10px; margin-right:10px; width:400px" />ort for herself and her child, and ‘felt like nobody understood’ what they were going through.</p> <p>The parent said, during an evaluation, that ’having the foster carer has been amazing because I feel supported and listened to, and my child loves going on the breaks.’&nbsp; This parent also commented on how her confidence is building, thanks to Step Up Step Down, explaining that she ‘couldn’t even leave the house on [her]&nbsp;own before, but now I am going shopping, going to appointments and taking my kids to events.’</p> <h3><strong>How does The Fostering Network get involved?</strong></h3> <p>The Fostering Network provides training for the family support foster carers and the parents on the programme. Talking About Tough Issues training was a recent success, and everyone is looking forward to the ‘Bond’ and ‘Incredible Years’ training coming up shortly.</p> <p>One mum who recently completed Talking About Tough Issues training said, ‘This has helped because I can think of new ways to talk to my kids now. I am going to make sure I have one to one time with each of my kids on their own.’</p> <p>In addition to the training, The Fostering Network provides family activities to encourage them to bond and meet together with other families on the scheme. We ran a Step Up Step Down Christmas party for all the families, staff and carers on the programme with a variety of games and crafts, a big bouncy castle, balloon modelling, face painting, lots of food, and a special visitor from the North Pole.&nbsp;</p> <p>One carer said, ’This has been a fantastic event. The children have loved every minute of it and it was a great opportunity to spend time just having fun with the families.’ Moreover, a mother stated that she was ’so thankful for the party, and for everything else Step Up Step Down does.’</p> <p>It is understood that problems grow in isolation, which is why the programme officer meets with the families in order to encourage them to get involved with various community supports and local provision for the parents, children, and wider families. This could include youth clubs, courses, craft groups, fitness classes, social gatherings, and much more.</p> <h3><strong>What’s next for Step Up Step Down?</strong></h3> <p>Now that the programme is well into its second year, the referrals are coming in quickly and the family support foster carers are working with full caseloads. Five children have already been taken off the child protection register, and a number of families and social workers are commenting upon the invaluable impact the programme is having upon the lives of the families.</p> <p>We are really looking forward to seeing how Step Up Step Down develops, and to note the continued impact it has.</p> <p>In the words of a grandmother, ’Step Up Step Down has been the best thing that could ever have happened for our family. It is making all the difference in the world.’</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/1882" hreflang="en">Programmes</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1886" hreflang="en">Step Up Step Down</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=11099&amp;2=favourite_content" token="h-2pyld-ovELGXV6Alz-YK_X_OJ1IBBz2LJtoN6rdgg"></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=11099&amp;2=field_comment&amp;3=comment" token="p5E3g50XBfM8T6rLDnDYgiAUlDiUcEqYi_tBg2Wedng"></drupal-render-placeholder> </section> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/comment/templates/field--comment.html.twig' --> Wed, 10 Jan 2018 16:35:51 +0000 N B Lakhani 11099 at https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/blogs/n-b-lakhani/step-step-down-improving-life-household-0#comments Mockingbird: A new way to foster https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/blogs/davideggboro/mockingbird-new-way-foster <!-- 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>Mockingbird: A new way to foster</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="">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--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>Thu, 11/30/2017 - 15:08</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>Mockingbird is an innovative programme for delivering foster care which can bring significant benefits to&nbsp;the lives of fostered children and those who look after them. Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council has been part of the programme since its inception in 2015.</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>Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council was part of the initial Mockingbird pilot which began in 2015 and has recently expanded its involvement by adding another constellation in September 2017.</p> <p>Mockingbird&nbsp;uses&nbsp;an extended family model, in the form of ‘constellations’ which consist of a ‘hub’ home and several ‘satellite’ homes nearby. The specially recruited and trained hub home carers offer respite care, peer support, regular joint planning and social activities.</p> <p>Because of its structure, Mockingbird helps alleviate the sense of isolation foster carers can feel and offers immediate practical support - similar to that a non-fostering family might receive from friends and relatives. In Stockport this enhanced support has enabled a number of short-term placements within Mockingbird to become long-term placements, offering greater stability to the children and young people growing up with those families.</p> <p>Jane Parsons, Mockingbird coordinator at the council, gives an example of how responsive the support offered by Mockingbird can be - when some satellite carers were let down by their babysitter before attending an adult-only wedding. The carers directly rang the hub home carers, explained the situation, and the young person was able to stay in the hub home for the weekend.</p> <p>‘Before the project that wouldn’t have happened due to the request coming out of hours and the permissions which would have had to have been secured,’ Jane explains.&nbsp;'But as part of Mockingbird occasional stays at the hub home were already part of the young person’s care plan and the appropriate delegated authority was in place. And the young person didn’t have any qualms about staying with the hub carers because he knows them and he’s stayed with them previously.’</p> <h6><strong>Consistency and familiarity</strong></h6> <p>Continuity of care is one of Mockingbird’s underpinning principles, so hub home carers ensure the routines of the children and young people are kept consistent, regardless of where they are staying.</p> <p>The hub carers say: ‘They know us. They know the house. We know their routines, the children’s likes and dislikes.'</p> <p>Jane adds: ‘If the children are with the hub carers they pick them up from school so they know who their teachers are, they know who their friends are. They also know their history, so they can ask questions about their birth family which the children may not like to discuss with their primary carers because of the loyalty they feel towards their birth parents.’</p> <p>To make the children and young people feel more at home when they come for ‘sleepovers’ (as respite is referred to) the hub carers in Stockport provide personalised bedding, chosen by each child in the constellation. ‘We want each child, when they come, to feel as though the bedroom is theirs.’</p> <h6><strong>Stability and support</strong></h6> <p>This familiarity improves the quality of respite care for the child and also the support offered to the foster carers. So much so, that it can mean relationships being maintained which may have otherwise broken down.</p> <p>A satellite carer, who had only been a carer for six months when she and her partner joined the constellation, says: ‘We had a boy placed with us who was subsequently diagnosed with autism. We had a respite carer in place but that later broke down, at the same time our foster child was permanently excluded from school. We were at breaking point. Our foster child’s behaviour at home was affecting our children, who were doing A-levels and GCSEs, so it’s been a very difficult year, and without Mockingbird we wouldn’t have survived. Without the support that Mockingbird gave us, and their help with respite, we would’ve had to hand our notice in.’</p> <p>The model also minimises the disruption experienced by young people if they do have to move out of their foster home, as they are able to live at the familiar hub home before another placement is found.</p> <p>The hub carers feel&nbsp;the peer support promoted by the model is a key benefit. ‘The carers didn’t know each other at the start. But now we are able to let our emotions out and we all understand where the others are coming from.’</p> <p>Fostering lead at the council, Vaunda Taylor, echoes this sentiment: ‘You’re bringing together different personalities within the constellation, but I was pleased at how quickly they gelled as a group and the satellite carers developed relationships with each other and not just the hub carers.’</p> <p>These relationships ensured all of the newly approved foster carers in the project continued to foster after the first twelve months. .</p> <p>‘We’ve had really strong messages about the support offered to newly approved carers’, Vaunda says. ‘Learning and doing are two completely different things and the support Mockingbird offers is invaluable.’</p> <p>For more information about fostering for Stockport Council call 0161 474 3400 or visit <a href="http://www.stockport.gov.uk/foster" style="font-family: &quot;Open Sans&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5px;">ww.stockport.gov.uk/foster</a></p> <p><strong><a href="https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/podcasts" style="font-family: &quot;Open Sans&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5px;">Listen to the latest episode of our monthly podcast, All About Fostering, to hear more about the Mockingbird programme in Stockport.</a></strong></p> <h6>The Fostering Network is the lead delivery organisation of Mockingbird in the UK. For more information about the programme visit <strong>thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/mockingbird</strong> or get in touch with our team at <a href="mailto:Mockingbird@fostering.net">Mockingbird@fostering.net</a> who can answer any questions you may have.</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/1673" hreflang="en">mockingbird</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1882" hreflang="en">Programmes</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=11061&amp;2=favourite_content" token="x5gcKpcNLSnJ9wSIQEzI5cVtrvxKAM-sRCd62iHAUXM"></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=11061&amp;2=field_comment&amp;3=comment" token="QtcFqmsfARZGmpPJtSLDNqri-OJR_jbdOTZiAMLYYF4"></drupal-render-placeholder> </section> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/comment/templates/field--comment.html.twig' --> Thu, 30 Nov 2017 15:08:40 +0000 DavidEggboro 11061 at https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/blogs/davideggboro/mockingbird-new-way-foster#comments The children's voice in 'Walking Tall' https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/blogs/n-b-lakhani/childrens-voice-walking-tall <!-- 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 children&#039;s voice in &#039;Walking Tall&#039;</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="">N B Lakhani</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, 11/27/2017 - 11:17</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>Children form part of the steering group of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/policy-practice/projects-and-programmes/walking-tall">Walking Tall</a>, &nbsp;where their views and experiences are used to guide the project’s development.</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>Over the years, The Fostering Network have explored a <a href="https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/policy-practice/projects-and-programmes">number of innovative programmes</a> to improve outcomes for fostered children and young people, and foster care in general, for example, Head, Heart, Hands, Step Up Step Down and The Mockingbird programme to name a few.</p> <p>Among these is Walking Tall – a two-year programme funded by the Big Lottery Fund that provides opportunities for primary school aged children, living in fostering households, giving them a voice, enhancing their self-esteem and helping them to ‘walk tall’.</p> <p>But something else really gives Walking Tall an innovative edge, and that’s its commitment to the values of participation and consultation, demonstrated through the recruitment of&nbsp;young people onto the steering group.</p> <p>Walking Tall’s&nbsp;Children's Participation Worker, Kirsteen Marshall, speaks enthusiastically about the project’s endeavours and how it aims to enhance the fostering experience for children living in fostering households:</p> <p>'We aim to consult children on their views and experiences while having fun through dance, drama, and play.</p> <p>'We currently have 12 volunteers on our steering group, comprising of foster carers, children in foster care, sons and daughters of foster carers and fostering agency staff.&nbsp; There are four children in the group, who bring a real sense of creativity, fun, insight, and energy to the meetings.</p> <p>'We meet quarterly to discuss all elements of project development.&nbsp; This is facilitated in a child-friendly way and both adults and children enjoy sharing thoughts, ideas, and opinions together.&nbsp;</p> <p>'The children are always very vocal and happy to share their insights and experiences, which really benefits the project’s development.&nbsp; We discuss everything from where the workshops should be held to what snacks we should have!</p> <p>'The primary goal of the Walking Tall workshops is to consult the children on their experiences and views of living in a fostering household.&nbsp; The information that they give us will then be used to create child-friendly resources, such as a book or film clip – a resource that will benefit the whole fostering household.&nbsp; The children will be very involved in creating this resource.</p> <p>'Our next steering group will be held in February next year, and it’s going to be an exciting one! The meeting will be held in the office of the Children and Young People’s Commissioner for Scotland.&nbsp; We have a lot to discuss and the participants will have the opportunity to test some of the workshop’s methods and activities.'</p> <p>You can read more about the programme’s aims and how to get involved on the main Walking Tall page <a href="https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/policy-practice/projects-and-programmes/walking-tall">here</a>.</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/1879" hreflang="en">Walking Tall</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1882" hreflang="en">Programmes</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=11054&amp;2=favourite_content" token="923NwXf1w1ujclST6z0D-TqIj9yNiEmHWaRsYmZEnEc"></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=11054&amp;2=field_comment&amp;3=comment" token="gfKa-2MUCLElvlYOCVecV5DOC3OMyQI57UbJvP-Qy6U"></drupal-render-placeholder> </section> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/comment/templates/field--comment.html.twig' --> Mon, 27 Nov 2017 11:17:30 +0000 N B Lakhani 11054 at https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/blogs/n-b-lakhani/childrens-voice-walking-tall#comments Meeting with Children’s Reporter to discuss Children’s Hearings and the role of the foster carer https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/blogs/n-b-lakhani/meeting-childrens-reporter-discuss-childrens-hearings-and-role-foster-carer <!-- 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>Meeting with Children’s Reporter to discuss Children’s Hearings and the role of the foster carer</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="">N B Lakhani</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>Wed, 11/22/2017 - 14:05</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">Foster carer champions are a group of volunteers who provide peer support for foster carers that need extra help or a good listening ear. The champions group meet monthly for training and support from The Fostering Network in Scotland.</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>This week the champions group got together for an excellent meeting to discuss Children’s Hearings. Children’s hearings is a public body seeking to improve the lives, outcomes and opportunities of vulnerable children and young people in Scotland.</p> <p>Foster carers had the opportunity to question many of the decisions and legalities in the Hearing system. This was hugely helpful, providing a better understanding of the ‘relevant person’s’ role, including the process foster carers need to go through to be deemed a ‘relevant person’ and how to prove this.</p> <p>Foster carers were reassured that they can turn to the reporter for advice at any time. They have continuously raised concerns about the level of contact set by a Children’s Hearing, and once again the importance of recording and presenting evidence of the impact of too much contact on a child was emphasised.</p> <p>Carers are encouraged to keep good diary entries and present reports to the panel. Reports to a Children’s Hearing must be submitted to the reporter at least seven days before the Hearing.</p> <p>A massive thank you must be extended to Margaret Maine from the Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration (SCRA) for visiting. The SCRA, founded in 1996, is a national body aiming at improving outcomes of children and young people at risk.</p> <p>Our next get together Saturday 9&nbsp;December for some festive fun.</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/319" hreflang="en">scotland</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1875" hreflang="en">Fostering Champions</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1882" hreflang="en">Programmes</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=11051&amp;2=favourite_content" token="W1UiVPz7L3yGRrq6zrRlgg7QTGcQHUThM-Z7CEWBPGo"></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=11051&amp;2=field_comment&amp;3=comment" token="8rKTDPvfhovm-sEYC7wdKg4kVnO8sZSYkl3_FevCta8"></drupal-render-placeholder> </section> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/comment/templates/field--comment.html.twig' --> Wed, 22 Nov 2017 14:05:28 +0000 N B Lakhani 11051 at https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/blogs/n-b-lakhani/meeting-childrens-reporter-discuss-childrens-hearings-and-role-foster-carer#comments