recruitment https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/ en Ambassadors for fostering https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/blogs/foster-care-fortnight/ambassadors-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>Ambassadors for 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>Wed, 05/13/2020 - 11:22</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 class="xx">Emma Newey has been the recruitment and engagement officer for the fostering team at Bury Council for eight years. In this blog Emma writes about their ambassador scheme and how it benefits the service, foster carers and 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>During my time in the team I have seen the increasing demand on fostering services and the importance of recruiting good quality households to provide a safe, secure and nurturing environment for children.&nbsp;</p> <p>Over the years, we have continually evaluated our practice to find better ways of working. The ambassador scheme has been an excellent success and has really supported our recruitment strategy in increasing the number of fostering households for Bury Council. I feel privileged to work in such a supportive and rewarding role where everyone works hard to improve the chances and opportunities for children in foster care.&nbsp;</p> <p>The ambassador scheme was launched in February 2019 and was&nbsp;integral&nbsp;to help increase the number of fostering households in Bury. The rationale for introducing the scheme was to allow us to have a highly visible, robust, consistent and personable presence as well as being able to offer progression and personal development opportunities to our foster carers. The scheme took around four months to plan, set up and launch.&nbsp;</p> <p>As a service, we were clear on the demands of the role and the expectation needed by those wishing to become an ambassador for Bury. We had a good response from our carers to the proposed scheme which resulted in seven foster carers becoming ambassadors. The launch was held in the Mayor’s parlour in February 2019 and gave the service an excellent opportunity for media coverage across the borough.</p> <h3>A positive impact</h3> <p>In 2019 we increased our enquiries by half and the number of fostering households also increased. More than half of these newly approved households came as a direct result of our ambassador scheme.&nbsp;The ambassadors have made excellent links within the community, including those with schools, faith groups, councillors, support groups and community event organisers. The feedback from prospective carers has been very positive, with them telling us they really value being able to speak to an experienced foster carer in an informal setting, to ask questions and discuss fostering in more detail before making an enquiry. Ambassadors have supported foster carers from their initial enquiry, through the assessment process and once they were newly approved. This has been an added benefit for the new carers in building good relationships with the ambassadors and having another experienced foster carer to support them in the early months of their fostering career.<br /> &nbsp;<br /> We are proud of our ambassador scheme and the success we have achieved. Our learning has been shared with colleagues in neighbouring regions at various best practice events to offer our knowledge and outline the positives of having such a scheme within a fostering service.&nbsp;</p> <p>The ambassadors are financially rewarded for their work but they all go above and beyond to raise the profile of fostering within our community. We are very proud of everything they have achieved. They are all a true asset to Bury!</p> <p><strong>Find out more about fostering.</strong></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/1674" hreflang="en">Foster carer recruitment</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/793" hreflang="en">recruitment</a></div> <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> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <drupal-render-placeholder callback="flag.link_builder:build" arguments="0=node&amp;1=11964&amp;2=favourite_content" token="IemiixUzSA6kNcmNWS7EHoUqinhpAzcKdYtdhDiVJBM"></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=11964&amp;2=field_comment&amp;3=comment" token="sa25R0NYphXKHJyD3iaaDzkSqOLiOMA15lvM2S_NGaE"></drupal-render-placeholder> </section> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/comment/templates/field--comment.html.twig' --> Wed, 13 May 2020 11:22:11 +0000 Foster Care Fortnight 11964 at https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/blogs/foster-care-fortnight/ambassadors-fostering#comments It’s all child’s play https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/blogs/lucy-stevens/its-all-childs-play <!-- 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>It’s all child’s play</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="">Lucy Stevens</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, 02/03/2016 - 14:27</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">I get back from Calais absurdly happy to see my family and determined to see this fostering thing through to its conclusion, to its beginning.</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’s just as well because we are straight back into things. It starts with the small matter of a trip to the doctor for our medical assessments. Eastern Fostering Service (the fostering agency) provided us with the forms which we filled in and dropped to the surgery. An appointment was given and hey presto, I find myself slightly sleep deprived, weeing into a pot and answering the usual bland health questions. The long and short of it is that I am fit and healthy and so, it turns out, is my husband Jim. It’s all very routine. Right up to the point, that is, where the doctor seems to make some clandestine analysis as to the completeness of my mental faculties. Evidently he finds my faculties lacking.</p> <p>‘Your children are still quite young. Deep breath. It’s a great thing to do of course. Breathe out. Very challenging though. Another one. And your children are young still aren’t they?’</p> <p>I’m pretty certain what he means is: ‘Your kids haven’t even hit puberty; you think you’ve got this parenting thing sufficiently licked to take on another child. You’re deluded. You know nothing. You’re in for a shock.’</p> <p>I wonder momentarily if he’d be saying the same thing if I was pregnant with a third child, though I recognise this is not a particularly helpful path to go down at present.</p> <p>The fact is that I’ve detected this undertone in a few of the responses to the news that we’re hoping to foster. People I’ve known for a long time have surprised me. Some have asked me, in that same constipated voice, ‘oh and what do your boys think?’ As if I’ve somehow bulldozed them with fostering, as if I am doing something cruel. As if fostering were a chastisement and not an opportunity for growth.</p> <p>So I am relieved when our assessor arrives a day later and announces that this week she’ll be talking to the children. Without us.</p> <h4><strong>The kids are alright</strong></h4> <p>The children spend a nice long time with the assessor and during that time (we later find out) the boys demonstrate an impressive grasp of what fostering involves, a philosophical approach as to what we can all expect, ‘there’s a lot we won’t know until we do it’ and a clear affection for their bulldozing parents. It also transpires that Ben and Theo love and irritate each other as much as they do Jim and I. All normal then.</p> <p><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/uploads/emoticons_blog_8_fn.png" style="height:366px; width:559px" /></p> <p>None of this means that we have the parent thing licked. Of course we don’t. We get things wrong. We lose our tempers. We look back and think we could have done that better<em>. </em>In short, we’re human.</p> <p>That said, we have involved our children in every step of the process. We have given them the freedom and the space to raise their concerns. We have explained why we’d like to do this and we have been clear that at any point we will stop if the boys are unhappy. We are both aware that children like to please their parents and my boys are no different. They could just be trying to keep us happy. After all, they know how much this means. But that’s a hard game to play for long and we’ll be watching them closely. And so will our assessor. For the moment she is happy.</p> <p>Jim and I are next.</p> <h4><strong>Mr and Mrs</strong></h4> <p>This week we’re looking at our relationship. Our history. Our marriage. What we think of each other. What works. What we need to work at.</p> <p>Jim looks terrified. His look says:&nbsp;'Is this marriage counselling?'<em> </em>He eyes the front door with something like longing.</p> <p>I guess this<strong> </strong>is a little like marriage counselling. Once the assessor has spoken to us separately, we all get together and she shares what we’ve both said. As a couple, how often do you sit back and consider the things you like about each other, the tough times you’ve got through, the reasons you work together? How often do you reflect at all? The answer is of course that you don’t. You just get on with things. But today as we laugh about the things we’ve said about the other, there is reflection. There is an acknowledgment that whilst as humans we are imperfect, our marriage is imperfect, we are a good team. And what’s more we like each other, as long as Jim isn’t hanging out the washing and as long as I’m not offering my advice on how said washing could be hung out in a way more conducive to drying. The assessor thinks it’s funny that we have both mentioned the washing as being a source of acute irritation. She thinks it’s funny that Jim cried at Shrek. That he regularly leaves Christmas presents on trains. She even laughs that my tendency towards control freakery is clearly laughed off and undermined at every turn by the three boys of the house. She is determined that all of this will go into our assessment form. The form F.</p> <p>I start to wonder what that F really stands for.&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/793" hreflang="en">recruitment</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1679" hreflang="en">becoming a foster carer</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1678" hreflang="en">advice</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/249" hreflang="en">community</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1917" hreflang="en">Lucy Stevens</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=10097&amp;2=favourite_content" token="jZEpg8BPz_QMVA--lwz7agnWyXteWz-zK3inb6sYljs"></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=10097&amp;2=field_comment&amp;3=comment" token="lqpAKHT7kSZbIz13LlSHgpGGLMyHGugMfztX55-03js"></drupal-render-placeholder> </section> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/comment/templates/field--comment.html.twig' --> Wed, 03 Feb 2016 14:27:02 +0000 Lucy Stevens 10097 at https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/blogs/lucy-stevens/its-all-childs-play#comments The wonder years https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/blogs/lucy-stevens/wonder-years <!-- 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 wonder years</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="">Lucy Stevens</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, 01/05/2016 - 11:33</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">The assessment is underway and we’re starting from the beginning, or as the form F calls it, the Early Years. Our assessor has sent us a list of questions as homework in preparation for her next visit this weekend.</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>As I’ve mentioned in earlier blogs&nbsp;I work for Eastern Fostering Services but I am also a ghost-writer. Specifically, I write people’s autobiographies for them. I ask my clients all manner of questions about their childhood, their parents, their experiences; their journey. I am rarely more comfortable than when I’m listening to people talking about themselves, and generally I don’t enjoy talking about myself to the same degree.</p> <p>So for me this is a little weird.</p> <p>The worm and the tables have both performed their rather clichéd manoeuvres. The shoe is well and truly on the other foot. And guess what,&nbsp;it seems to fit. I discover that I quite enjoy dissecting my childhood. I find that it’s sobering to see myself, however fleetingly, as a product of my parents. In examining your childhood, you examine how you were parented. In examining how you were parented, the hard-earned successes and the inevitable struggles are brought into relief. This, in turn, allows you to quietly muse on your own successes and to shine a light on the things that you struggle with.</p> <p>I’m neither a believer in nor a fan of detoxes but this feels like a detox for the soul and one that might actually be constructive. I have a sudden picture of myself, breathless at the side of a winding road, hands on hips, looking back at the terrain I’ve covered before turning towards my destination as it unfolds, little by little, before me.</p> <p>And it’s while contemplating this figurative journey that I am reminded of another journey. Not my own. But one that is a small part of my narrative nonetheless…</p> <h4>Out of Africa</h4> <p>I’ve developed a particular interest in journeys over the last couple of years. From life’s ever changing journey, in general, to more poignant journeys in the personal realm. I have watched as the media has spewed out images of journeys, most borne of desperation, all shocking in their nakedness. I have met and worked with children who have undergone journeys that would make your hair stand on end. I’m easily able to see how any one of us could, in the blink of an eye, find ourselves on a desperate journey. In fact it’s because of a journey my Nan made almost 70 years ago that I have been able to empathise with men, women and children journeying to flee war, poverty or persecution. It’s partly because of her journey that I have been so moved by their journeys.</p> <p>When my mum was three years old, my Nan took her and her brother and left their home in Zimbabwe. My Nan was married to my mum’s father who was a game warden. It’s not my story to tell so I won’t go into details, but suffice to say things in Zimbabwe were bad enough to convince a young mother to travel thousands of miles, under a cloak of secrecy, back to the UK. Fortunately for Nan, she had parents who loved her and who agreed to take her and the children in. She must have been incredibly brave, bearing as she did not just a demanding journey from Africa to Northumberland with two children in tow, but equally the judgemental stares and concealed whispers of those who frowned upon such a refugee: two kids and not a husband in sight.</p> <p>Well, times have changed and my Nan’s story is different to many of those who are staking their all on desperate journeys in today’s world. But one thing is clear; a journey is proved worthwhile in its end destination. For my Nan it was the open arms of the parental home. For many unaccompanied asylum seeking children it’s a foster family. I hope one day that we, as a family, can prove the worth of a journey conceived in desperation, in secrecy, out of hope for something better.</p> <h4>Back to basics</h4> <p>But first we have to go through the assessment and the small matter of getting Jim to answer questions about his early life. If I’m sold on detox for the soul, Jim is emphatically keen on constipation. Encouraging him to give answers that exceed one syllable is going to be interesting. Like me, Jim had a happy childhood but he is uncomplicated in his approach to it: ‘I always knew I was loved and I’ve never had to think about my childhood in any greater depth.’</p> <p>I suddenly feel very grateful to my Nan and very sorry for our assessor.</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/793" hreflang="en">recruitment</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1679" hreflang="en">becoming a foster carer</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1678" hreflang="en">advice</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/249" hreflang="en">community</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1917" hreflang="en">Lucy Stevens</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=8830&amp;2=favourite_content" token="3engjhHDP10fyq3y2N_pkB1vwk8i8DRsHGll4T1FbLg"></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=8830&amp;2=field_comment&amp;3=comment" token="sDiTxkx_DccBf-GLSDv8RFBbX7SLt9Xy5sCZxbbxfaA"></drupal-render-placeholder> </section> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/comment/templates/field--comment.html.twig' --> Tue, 05 Jan 2016 11:33:27 +0000 Lucy Stevens 8830 at https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/blogs/lucy-stevens/wonder-years#comments An assessor calls… https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/blogs/lucy-stevens/assessor-calls <!-- 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>An assessor calls…</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="">Lucy Stevens</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, 12/10/2015 - 12:13</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">It’s Saturday morning and the house is now (reasonably) tidy. This is unusual for any day of the week but particularly for a Saturday. Today, however, is no ordinary Saturday – today is the day our assessor is coming.</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 <a href="https://www.fostering.net/all-about-fostering/providers/the-skills-to-foster/assessment#.Vm6OariLTcs">assessment form</a>&nbsp;is a document compiled by an assessor (who is usually also a social worker) which presents you as foster carers to the approval panel. Once approved, the document is also used to present you to the local authority when you’re being put forward as a potential carer for a child. It highlights your motivations, your family dynamics, your strengths and your weaknesses. Our assessor will visit us approximately eight times to gather all the information she needs to present us accurately and will be asking us many in-depth questions about our lives, loves and limitations.</p> <p>She starts straight off by asking us about our motivations for fostering: Why? Why now? What do you hope to offer? What do you expect the impact to be?</p> <p>I begin by explaining what has happened to bring us to this point. I explain that I have worked at Eastern Fostering Services, an independent agency, for a while and that I have wanted to do more. I explain that as a couple, our faith calls us to feed the hungry and clothe the poor, to provide a refuge to others in stormy times. As we want to foster unaccompanied, asylum seeking children, I explain how Jim and I have been moved by the plight of adults and children fleeing their countries of origin. How we have lamented the likelihood that this will all be old news soon, once the media has a new focus, how many people will effectively be left to rot. I explain that we had to act. Not just a short term, sticking plaster approach but something long term and tangible – something practical. I also explain that it was only once Jim realised you could be so niche in terms of the profile of child you foster, that the conversation had turned more serious.</p> <h4>Dear Jim…</h4> <p><strong>‘</strong>What held you back from considering fostering before then?’ the assessor asked Jim.</p> <p>I mentioned last time that Jim has a wicked sense of humour. I also told you how we met at work. What I omitted to tell you was that Jim was very nearly fired from this job when he set up his own internal “Dear Deidre” advice column. Staff could email Jim with spoof dilemmas and Jim would advise. Needless to say, the “advice” Jim elected to give was not always received in the spirit he intended. Sometimes his humour is a little out there. The Dear Deidre debacle was one such occasion. Watching Jim prepare to answer this question is a bit like watching the Dear Deidre truck collide with a wheelchair bound pedestrian. I know he’s about to come out with something leftfield and I have no way of stopping it. I can only watch.</p> <p>‘I don’t like other people’s children very much,’ he says.</p> <p>See what I mean?</p> <p>Thankfully, Jim has learnt to read people’s reactions a little over the years since Deidregate and he quickly claws back the ground. Jim comes to life as he talks about what he feels he could offer an asylum seeking child. He talks about how much he enjoys tutoring A Level students and how a lot of this work is around building confidence and equipping young people to solve problems themselves. He talks about his passion for science, for carpentry, for coaching sports. His voice betrays the fact that he likes other people’s children perfectly adequately.</p> <h4>Not the Von Trapps</h4> <p>I explain that as a family, we are far from perfect. There are many things that we could probably do better as parents. But one thing I know we can offer is a stable, structured and consistent base and that this will be provided in the context of a loving family. And that’s the essence of what we have to offer: love. Love is bandied around a lot as if it’s something that’s easy to do. During my time at EFS, I have seen that it is not easy to love every child. I am aware that a child may well come to us who is tricky to love. But I also know that love is not just about the heart. Love is about doing. Love is practical and consistent. It’s about perseverance; about sticking with it. It’s warm and it’s safe. And sometimes it’s a little leftfield.</p> <p>‘You poohead!’ comes a scream from upstairs as I draw my impassioned speech to a close.</p> <p>Ben, aged nine and Theo, aged seven are swiftly given a talking to. But the reality is that they have not been to football this morning and are therefore like tightly wound springs. I don’t particularly want to shout at my children in front of the assessor. Instead, I turn and give her a look that says: This is us. More Von Krapp than Von Trapp. In that look, I try and communicate a little thumbs up emoticon but I resist the urge to actually extend said digits.</p> <p>Thankfully, the assessor is warm and friendly and does not make us feel that we’re under scrutiny (though of course we are). She allows the boys to give her a tour of the house so that she can do her health and safety check. Her check reveals a consistent lack of both. Theo has a cold and his constant old-man-hacking cough follows them around the listed home we live in. The safety glass is conspicuous in its absence. Medicines are not locked away. There is no fire blanket. We’ll need to fix some of these things and a few others but that’s ok. It’s much less painful than I was expecting.</p> <p>A quick check of our birth and marriage certificates, MOT certificate, insurance documents and driving licenses and we’re done.</p> <p>We’re told that we’ll be getting some homework to do over Christmas. We’ll be sent questions which we’ll need to provide written answers to. We’ll then discuss these in more depth at her next visit.</p> <p>This is good. Writing we can do. For one thing, since Deidregate, when Jim writes, he has at his disposal, a very effective editing system.</p> <p>Her name is Lucy.</p> <p>Winking emoticon…</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/1679" hreflang="en">becoming a foster carer</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/793" hreflang="en">recruitment</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1917" hreflang="en">Lucy Stevens</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=8802&amp;2=favourite_content" token="dxwo5mdvD7vYg6s99k8kowFxMMY8gm2BlBZ3eLo_Zqw"></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=8802&amp;2=field_comment&amp;3=comment" token="LlC2qflZkNpSuQjyLlBJzOhlYVpBQQh8xjG52mgwiyE"></drupal-render-placeholder> </section> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/comment/templates/field--comment.html.twig' --> Thu, 10 Dec 2015 12:13:48 +0000 Lucy Stevens 8802 at https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/blogs/lucy-stevens/assessor-calls#comments Home sweet home https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/blogs/lucy-stevens/home-sweet-home <!-- 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>Home sweet home</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="">Lucy Stevens</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, 11/05/2015 - 17:00</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">Last week I went on a home visit to a lady who had enquired about fostering through our agency. She’d been on our website, liked what she’d seen and dropped us an email. I’d been the one to call her and answer her questions. I’d been the one to book in a suitable time to visit her at home to talk in more depth. And, along with my colleague, I’d been the one to go to her lovely home. For an hour and a half we chatted and she asked us lots of questions, which we answered honestly. We gave her a realistic picture of what she might expect from fostering. We also asked her lots of questions about her family, their experiences and motivations. We’re not sure if she’ll apply to foster with us but we left her with an application form and lots to think about.</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"><h4>The tables have turned</h4> <p>The following day I had a little visit of my own.</p> <p>Our home visit was booked in for 1.30pm. My husband, Jim, rocked up at 1.28pm. He is the master of cutting it fine. But wait. Was I nervous? Did this walking aimlessly up and down the hallway qualify as pacing? Yep, I was definitely verging on the anxious. I picked up the list of questions that Ben and Theo, my two sons, had helped me put together the night before.</p> <p>“What if the child doesn’t like us?” Theo, aged six, had asked with a look of great consternation.</p> <p>“What if they can’t understand what we’re saying? How are we going to communicate?” asked Ben, aged nine, clearly thinking about the nature of child we’d like to welcome into our family.</p> <p>You see, we feel we’d like to welcome an unaccompanied asylum seeking child and this comes with a list of very specific questions as well as the more generic ones.</p> <p>“What if they’re not nice to us?”</p> <p>“Will we have to change the house?”</p> <p>“What school will they go to?”</p> <p>Once the boys had asked their various questions I had one for them: “How might a child feel, coming into a strange, new family?”</p> <p>“Terrified,” suggested Theo. “Very anxious,” said Ben. “They might be trembly.” “Their heart would feel like a stone.”</p> <p>It was fast becoming a competition.</p> <p>Time to see what Jim wanted to know.</p> <p>“The facts.”</p> <p>Succinct.</p> <p>In other words, how long will it take to be approved? How does the referral process work? How long before a child is placed with us? What is the matching process? What support is there? In short, all the questions I had breezily answered at the home visit the day before.</p> <h4>The reality hits home</h4> <p>Sitting at our dining room table with our cups of tea, listening as the home visitor, Elle, answered Jim’s questions, I was struck by the oddness of it all. I started to ask a few questions of my own. Let’s be clear, I wasn’t asking questions as some sort of gesture to prove that I didn’t think I knew it all, or as a mere show of solidarity to Jim, who knows relatively little about the technicalities of fostering. The only way I can describe what happened is to say that the answers to all those questions suddenly morphed from something flat and one dimensional, something that trips off the tongue to something concrete and tangible and very much 3D. Suddenly, it was about our boys, our home, our routine, our sanctuary. And I was both disturbed and reassured to feel just how much difference that made.</p> <p>Of course, we also had some additional questions around how I can foster and continue to work at the agency. I’ve said before that the agency is small, energetic, creative and willing to think outside the box. There should be no reason why I can’t continue to work there. But we have to make sure there is no conflict of interest. Elle is keen to set out ways to make sure that our information is kept private at work. And of course I’ll have to stop being on Panel. Lots to think about and work out. But we know it’s all possible if everyone is willing.</p> <h4>Warts and all</h4> <p>So, if we go ahead, it looks like we’ll have an independent form F assessor to take us through the assessment process. I listened as Elle explained that she’d probably make about eight visits and would interview us separately and together. She explained the background checks that are needed and the work that will go into presenting us as a family to panel using the infamous form F. I could tell Jim was thinking, ‘eight sessions! My life’s really not that interesting.’ I know from experience that that’s what they all say!</p> <p>But I was thinking something different. It’s funny because I thought I might feel a bit odd about sharing my life, warts and all, to a group of people I’ve worked with for two years. I’ve read many a form F and I know that a good one leaves no stone unturned. But I also know that our panel is made up of people who are human, who are warm, who are real and who want real families to look after these children. So what I was thinking was that there is no other group of people I would trust more with my warts. So to speak.</p> <p>At EFS, we aim for around three to four months from application to approval at panel. So we could be approved and ready to go by February. Then it will be a question of waiting for the right match. As I said, we’re looking to welcome a very specific child into our family. It is crucial for that child and for our birth children that we give the arrangement the best possible chance for success. Because Ben and Theo are relatively young, we will most likely need to be patient for that child to come along. It could be a long wait. There was a twinkle in Elle’s eye when she placed the application form on the table.</p> <p>“Well?” I asked Jim when she’d gone. “Let’s go for it,” he said. Yes, let’s.</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/1674" hreflang="en">Foster carer recruitment</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/793" hreflang="en">recruitment</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1917" hreflang="en">Lucy Stevens</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=8750&amp;2=favourite_content" token="GopBZA-9XVkMSmv9V5NTHHCb-kc5WbfmzCZn84bnsik"></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=8750&amp;2=field_comment&amp;3=comment" token="S00E4VYxLEMMG8InXbZPy8_87UEv56wn7FLn4PHXbQQ"></drupal-render-placeholder> </section> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/comment/templates/field--comment.html.twig' --> Thu, 05 Nov 2015 17:00:00 +0000 Lucy Stevens 8750 at https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/blogs/lucy-stevens/home-sweet-home#comments Attracting and Keeping Carers - October 2015 https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/blogs/james-foyle/attracting-and-keeping-carers-october-2015 <!-- 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>Attracting and Keeping Carers - October 2015</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="">James Foyle</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, 10/21/2015 - 09:05</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">The fallout from the media storm on the plight of Syrian refugees continues to resonate. Over 9,000 members of the public pledged their support to helping a refugee or family.</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>Many of these and others who have contacted fostering services have expressed an interest to care for a child there and then, not appreciating or aware of the rigorous process required to become a foster carer. In addition we are not anticipating a significant increase in the number of unaccompanied asylum seeking children (UASC) from Syria as part of the 20,000 the Government has pledged to accept over the next five years.</p><p>Managing expectations, while harnessing and maintaining interest, is a significant challenge. Yet thousands of people have been compelled to act and are motivated to care. Explaining the existing need in the UK, and the record numbers of UASC from other countries as well as the older UK children who need skilled and committed foster carers, will hopefully translate to some quality applications.</p><p>The Fostering Network is working on providing support and information for fostering services already working with UASC. If your service would like to receive extra support in this area, please contact us to discuss.</p><h2>Staying Put</h2><p>There are promising initial signs for Staying Put in England, following a release of an analysis on its impact after the first year.</p><p>Approximately 5 per cent of 18 year olds stayed with their former foster carers under voluntary arrangements before the legislation was introduced. Since the previous Government introduced the new legislation, 25 per cent of young people stayed put when local authorities were supported to provide the option for them.</p><p>This percentage equates to around 2,300 young adults who have benefitted from maintaining the stability. The new report from data taken in 2015 shows that of the 3,230 young people who ceased to be looked after in a foster placement on their 18th birthday, 1,560 (48 per cent) remained with their former foster carers three months after their birthday*.</p><p>We are though aware that local authorities are not receiving adequate support to enable staying put arrangements to continue. Contact our campaigns team if you would like to share positive stories or challenges your service is facing on staying put, going the extra mile, after care or when I am ready.</p><p>*data is not directly comparable.</p><h2>Daniel.org<img alt="Daniel.org" src="/sites/default/files/uploads/daniel.jpg" style="float:right; height:375px; line-height:18.0001px; margin:5px; width:250px"></h2><p>Many local authority fostering services are creating a ‘shared front door’ for adoption and fostering – Somerset County Council being one example. Information on both services is collated in one area to enable the viewer to consider the different options and potentially broaden their horizons. With long-term fostering now a recognised form of permanence in England, there is greater opportunity to explore combined messaging.</p><p>This new campaign by the care service, Daniel, is one of the few examples of joint campaigns to publicise the need for both foster carers and adopters that I have come across.</p><p>The black and white image of a challenging young person sets the tone for the blunt and to the point text, “I’m not an adorable new born. But I need a home.”</p><p>This approach is more reminiscent of an NSPCC campaign, and is in stark contrast to the traditional recruitment messages provided by services.</p><p>What do you think? Are there prospective foster carers who will be enthused to act as a result of this advert?</p><h2>Coventry – fostering friendly</h2><p>Congratulations to Coventry City Council for launching their <a href="http://www.localgov.co.uk/Council-offers-staff-extra-time-off-for-fostering/39512">new fostering friendly policy</a>, which gives council staff applying to foster an extra five days of leave a year.</p><p>Originating in Cumbria and taken on by The Fostering Network, a number of organisations are signing up to be <a href="https://www.fostering.net/fosteringfriendly#.VidUSX6rTct">Fostering Friendly employers</a>, including Tescos, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose and O2. Applying to foster requires significant commitment to attend training, information sessions and other meetings. As one foster carer put it, the extra time ‘takes the pressure off’ enabling her to fulfil commitments to work and family.</p><p>When creating your own local policy, consider:​</p><ul><li>the aim of the policy and why it will be beneficial to those involved</li><li>who will be eligible to benefit and when</li><li>how they will benefit, for example time off and the process for agreeing</li></ul><p><img alt="The Fostering Network's Fostering Friendly logo" src="/sites/default/files/uploads/fostering_friendly_logo_0_0.jpg" style="float:right; height:108px; line-height:18.0001px; margin:5px; width:180px">It does not have to be a massive document, simply a clear, succinct agreement to demonstrate how your service values your foster carers and the extra support you are providing them.</p><p>When you have agreed your policy, contact The Fostering Network to be accredited with our Fostering Friendly logo.&nbsp;</p><h2>&nbsp;</h2><h2>Young people supporting their peers</h2><p>Ben’s family has been fostering for 10 and a half years and in that time they have welcomed 30 children into their home and provided day care for many more.</p><p>Ben’s mum Christina says; “From the age of five Ben has accepted and adjusted to whoever joins the family home and is a huge support to myself and the children – frequently giving up his time to help me around the house or play with the children without complaint.”</p><p>Aside from this, Ben also volunteers at a regular group for the children of prospective foster carers run by West Sussex County Council, alongside assessing social worker Philip Clarkson.</p><p>Philip says; “Ben has been helping out on this course for the last four years, which involves coming in to talk to children of all ages about his experiences of fostering. He answers questions in an open, honest and accessible way, is extremely approachable and always willing to help out.”</p><p>Philip also praised Ben for his contribution to his family’s fostering, which has involved him welcoming some children with very challenging behaviours into his home and treating them like part of the family. “He recognises the importance of his role and wants children to have the best experience possible when they are placed with them. I have never heard him complain or moan, when at times his family are having to managing some extremely challenging situations.”</p><p>Christina adds; “Ben loves helping children anyway and has chosen to help out at our local Beaver scout group too. Whenever Phil asks if Ben can help at his groups, Ben immediately says yes and enjoys telling the young people what fostering is like, hopefully without putting them off!”</p><p>Lisa Cole, recruitment officer for the service ends, “Ben is a fantastic role model, both for the children he mentors on the Skills to Foster course and the children who come to live as part of his family. He is an inspiring young man with a calm and positive approach to his family’s fostering, through good times and bad. By supporting other birth children, Ben is helping to answer some of the questions people have about the potential impact of fostering on their family. Ben is making a valued contribution to both our work recruiting and retaining new foster carers.”</p><p>You may have a ‘Ben’ in your service who, along with all sons and daughters, should be celebrated and rewarded for their outstanding contribution. Sons and Daughters month in October is the perfect time.</p><h2>Retention survey</h2><p><a href="https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FCretention2015 "><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/uploads/images/community.jpg" style="float:left; height:150px; line-height:18.0001px; margin:5px; width:193px"></a>​Thank you to everyone who has passed on our <a href="https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FCretention2015">foster carer retention survey</a> to their foster carers. We have received around 850 responses, giving us a rich data set from which to analyse and report on. But we are of course keen to maximise the voice of foster carers and allow them to feed back ahead of the deadline on Saturday 31 October, so please do keep filling it in if you haven’t already.</p><p>​Foster carers can access the survey at: <a href="https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FCretention2015">www.surveymonkey.com/r/FCretention2015</a>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h3>PS</h3><p>A care leaver has been inspired to create a new gaming app based on their experience of the care system.</p><p><a href="https://twitter.com/pathosgame">Pathos</a> is a puzzle adventure about what it feels like to be in the care system. There are points in the game where the character’s world is literally flipped upside down; there are obstacles representing the barriers a child experiences – being moved, changing schools and so on; as well as animals popping up from time to time to represent the pets that fostered children often have to leave behind.</p><p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gqDRGyPXIh0" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe>​</p><p>Games such as these do not trivialise foster care. They provide a gateway to young people in care to understand their situation and relate experiences on a level that engages them. They in turn help foster carers to talk about certain topics with the children in their care, strengthen bonds and hopefully leading to better outcomes for looked after 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--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/1548" hreflang="en">attracting and keeping carers</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/793" hreflang="en">recruitment</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/794" hreflang="en">retention</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=8717&amp;2=favourite_content" token="z2nyfI-U3IPhjiVi-T53fH41ZCxQrmmHaRp71epDiWY"></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=8717&amp;2=field_comment&amp;3=comment" token="IlFZ6e7uz6jXuGRXw1f4v_a0MHMJfX4JA8wbsrR8TAU"></drupal-render-placeholder> </section> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/comment/templates/field--comment.html.twig' --> Wed, 21 Oct 2015 09:05:55 +0000 James Foyle 8717 at https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/blogs/james-foyle/attracting-and-keeping-carers-october-2015#comments Attracting and Keeping Carers - September 2015 https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/blogs/james-foyle/attracting-and-keeping-carers-september-2015 <!-- 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>Attracting and Keeping Carers - September 2015</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="">James Foyle</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, 09/24/2015 - 11:18</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><a href="http://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/13654656.Parents_of_children_who_have_flown_the_nest_urged_to_consider_fostering/">FCA in Worcestershire</a> is one of a number of services targeting the ‘empty-nesters’ of children who have left for university this month in their latest foster carer recruitment campaign.</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>As well as the over 500,000 young people taking part in Freshers’ week for the first time across the UK, a further 69,000 children will be heading back to boarding school this month.</p><p>Up until recently, the demographics between these two groups wouldn’t have been so different. But despite the removal of grants and the increase in fees, a broader spectrum of the population now attends university. Private schooling is still mainly a preserve of the wealthy. Yet we are all challenged to broaden the demographics of those who consider fostering, and these parents sending their children to boarding school experience similar emotions when waving goodbye to their offspring, sometimes for the full academic year.</p><p>Recruitment campaigns targeted at both of these groups can lead to positive leads. If you’ve had particular success in the past, and continue to invest resources in these campaigns, then I’d love to hear from you.</p><p>The blog below provides the latest news on the changes as a result of BAAF’s withdrawal, this time the impact in Wales, plus information about our free assessment material taster sessions and a bumper practice issue affecting recruitment and retention specifically in England but with UK-wide considerations.</p><h2>News</h2><h3>Measures to secure fostering and adoption services have been announced by the Welsh government</h3><p>The Welsh Government has moved to address the void left by BAAF in Wales, which up until recently maintained the country’s adoption register, as well as providing training, consultancy and legal advice for fostering and adoption through a helpline service.</p><p>As reported in last month’s blog, the folding of BAAF has led to the formation of CoramBAAF in England. Now adoption agency St David’s Children Society have set up the <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-34192857">Association for Fostering and Adoption Cymru @ St David's to take on the helpline service</a>.</p><p>Members of The Fostering Network across the UK can of course already benefit from our dedicated fostering helpline service on a range of subjects pertinent to the sector for both our member foster carers and member services. If you would like to clarify what support is provided by our service, then <a href="mailto:james.foyle@fostering.net">please do get in touch</a>.</p><h3>New Northamptonshire CC campaign</h3><p>Ever more fostering services are investing in film content to help recruit new foster carers. With a good few examples available to reference, the standard is continuously improving.</p><p>While some feature adults, others are including children, as Northamptonshire Council have done in their <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQupYBZnUXQ&amp;feature=youtu.be">new foster carer recruitment film</a>.</p><p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eQupYBZnUXQ" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe>​​</p><p>What I really like about Northamptonshire’s film is the involvement of young people, sharing their views, giving heart-warming credibility to the campaign. The messages also build to a crescendo before the call to action to contact the authority – if anything, they could be on screen a touch longer to allow a bit more time to re-read and cement them all.</p><p>Take a few minutes to watch Northamptonshire’s and others films I’ve shared in recent months. Look at them objectively, think about the subliminal messaging, targeting and how they relate to a local need. Invite your foster carers to watch them and think what messages will truly inspire the next generation of foster carers to come forward.</p><h3>Assessment material roadshows</h3><p>September saw the start of The Fostering Network’s series of free roadshows in England to give services an opportunity to take a look at our brand new assessment materials.</p><p>The materials have been completely rewritten to reflect national changes in legislation, and make it easier for assessors to include specific and concise information to better enable the approval decision by panel.</p><p>Forty eight practitioners joined us for our first session in Wigan, representing over 20 services from the region. There are still spaces to join members of our Practice Support Team in Leicestershire on 2 October, Leeds on 8 October, Chester-le-Street on 12 October and Walsall on 14 October. Numbers are limited though, so <a href="https://www.fostering.net/training-and-events/free-taster-sessions-skills-foster#.VgPY9stVhHx">book your place at a session near you today</a>. Dates in the south west and East Anglia are to be confirmed.</p><h3>Foster carer retention survey</h3><p>Please encourage your foster carers to spend 15 to 20 minutes completing our <a href="https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FCretention2015">new foster carer retention survey</a>.</p><p>The Fostering Network is keen to get their views on the support they receive, and ultimately, what keeps them fostering to support you to retain your best foster carers.</p><p><strong>The survey closes on Friday 30 October. </strong></p><p>Sharing resources</p><p>As those of you have been to a Foster Care Fortnight workshop in the past will know, I periodically, gingerly raise the subject of sharing resources across fostering services…</p><p>The logic is simple – economies of scale, better use of resources, foster carer workforce and ultimately outcomes for children. I appreciate the application is though culturally challenging.</p><p>Increasingly, however, services are realising the potential. I’ve covered the east midland’s and north east’s joint campaigning initiatives, as well as the You Can Foster partnership’s approach to joint working over the past five years. It is the latter group that is taking this work to the next stage, exploring the potential for regional recruitment hubs for processing enquiries.</p><p>By creating a single point of contact for phone enquiries, four to six services can share expertise and ensure a consistent and timely approach, among other benefits. Resourcing the hub and agreeing the process for allocation have historically been stumbling blocks to progressing the idea. In addition, as the values report demonstrated, the majority of foster carers prefer having a named contact, someone they can trust to discuss fostering from the outset, and flag questions throughout the process.</p><p>These aren’t though insurmountable challenges, and I am looking forward to being able to provide an update on the approach in future editions.</p><h3>DBS issues one (England and Wales) – how to obtain a criminal record check for applicants from overseas</h3><p>A few of you have been in touch recently to ask about the practicalities of obtaining criminal record checks for applicants from overseas – particularly when the applicant has lived in the UK for a significant period of time, or the country of origin does not provide helpful or timely information.</p><p>Fortuitously, The Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure has a report providing guidance on the <a href="http://www.cpni.gov.uk/documents/publications/2014/2014-04-28-overseas-criminal-records-check.pdf?epslanguage=en-gb">best course of action to obtain criminal record checks in 63 countries</a>. The report also contains information on the likely cost, turnaround time for the check and the language in which the report will be written.</p><p>If you are still having issues obtaining information for specific cases, <a href="mailto:james.foyle@fostering.net">please do contact me</a> or if in England, your regional practice support consultant:</p><ul><li>South West – <a href="mailto:chris.kohlhoff@fostering.net">Chris Kohlhoff</a></li><li>South London and Southern England – <a href="http://diane.heath@fostering.net">Diane Heath</a></li><li>North London and East Anglia – <a href="http://joanna.adande@fostering.net">Joanna Adande</a></li><li>The Midlands – <a href="http://sab.jagpal@fostering.net">Sab Jagpal </a></li><li>North West – <a href="http://judy.bell@fostering.net">Judy Bell </a></li><li>Yorkshire and Humber and North East – <a href="http://andrew.walker@fostering.net">Andrew Walker </a></li></ul><h3>DBS issues two – new DBS guidance</h3><p>Ofsted has provided new guidance for children’s social care providers explaining their <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/436241/Disclosure_and_Barring_Service_guidance_for_childrens_social_care_providers.pdf">evaluation process for the Disclosure and Barring Service checks</a>. The guidance contains a section on what a children’s social care provider or manager must do with regard to DBS checks, as well as other relatively standard practice issues for services.</p><h3>Smoking in private vehicles</h3><p>While I am sure the majority of you will have robust local policies already, <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/smoking-in-vehicles">new rules about tobacco, e-cigarettes and smoking</a> will make it illegal to smoke in private vehicles that are carrying someone under 18 years old. From the 1 October, both the driver and the smoker could be fined £50 if caught and prosecuted.</p><p>The law applies to every driver in England and Wales, including those aged 17 and those with a provisional driving licence.</p><p>Rather bizarrely, the law does not apply if the driver is 17 years old and is on their own in the car.</p><h2>Update</h2><h3>Mockingbird Family Model</h3><p>Thank you to everyone who has shown an interest in our Mockingbird Family Model pilot on my recent travels. Lilian and the team behind the project are working hard to embed the learning in our eight pilot locations.</p><p>As a reminder, <a href="https://www.fostering.net/mockingbird#.VfBSzRFVhHw">the&nbsp;Mockingbird Family Model</a>&nbsp;uses the concept of a dedicated ‘hub home’ of specially recruited and trained carers offering respite care, peer support, regular joint planning and social activities to a ‘constellation’ of six to 10 families of foster and kinship carers living in close proximity. Like an extended family, the hub home empowers families to support each other, overcome problems before they escalate and offers children a more positive experience of care. The hub home also builds links with other families important to the children’s care plans and to a wider community of stakeholders who can provide them with enhanced opportunities to learn, develop and succeed.</p><p>The Fostering Network will be working with the Mockingbird Society to transpose the model to the UK, becoming a licensed provider of a UK model. In the first year, work will focus on the delivery of kinship and foster care for adolescents, raising standards of care and realising significant cost savings. We also have high hopes that the Mockingbird Family Model will significantly contribute to foster carer retention as well as recruitment.</p><p>We cannot unfortunately take more services with us at this stage in the project, but we are keen to receive your expressions of interest for further work and development. Please contact <a href="mailto:lilian.stevens@fostering.net ">Lilian Stevens</a></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/793" hreflang="en">recruitment</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/794" hreflang="en">retention</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/795" hreflang="en">attracting</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/796" hreflang="en">keeping</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/798" hreflang="en">carers</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=8659&amp;2=favourite_content" token="-vh3qxcTtWghMgztHm7RUv0cUYsKxNnsmCKh2JEVOjc"></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=8659&amp;2=field_comment&amp;3=comment" token="s_doR-lJv6X1DVKA4Zhovw-mwK9ehjnhzKC5vxx2Xjg"></drupal-render-placeholder> </section> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/comment/templates/field--comment.html.twig' --> Thu, 24 Sep 2015 11:18:53 +0000 James Foyle 8659 at https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/blogs/james-foyle/attracting-and-keeping-carers-september-2015#comments Attracting and Keeping Carers - August 2015 https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/blogs/james-foyle/attracting-and-keeping-carers-august-2015 <!-- 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>Attracting and Keeping Carers - August 2015</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="">James Foyle</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, 08/20/2015 - 10:46</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">Many of you will have already seen the news that as of 31 July 2015, the British Association for Adoption and Fostering, BAAF, has closed. The Fostering Network has been proud to stand with BAAF and their staff in campaigning for changes in legislation and guidance that will have a positive effect on children and young people for generations to come.</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 changes will primarily affect adoption, with the National Adoption Register for England and other services set to continue, some under the umbrella of CoramBAAF. The Fostering Network of course remains available to answer fostering queries, and we are as committed as ever to improving outcomes for every child, every carer, every day.</p><p>On a lighter note, apologies in advance for the terrible pun further down. Answers on a postcard if you spot it…</p><h2>Supporting fostering services to recruit and retain foster carers: a directory of case study resources</h2><p><a href="https://www.fostering.net/sites/default/files/uploads/pdf/recruitment_report-5-8-15_final.pdf"><img alt="A directory of foster carer recruitment case studies" src="/sites/default/files/uploads/images/recruitment_report-cover.jpg" style="float:right; height:200px; margin:8px; width:141px"></a>​A new directory summarising the best practice originating from the Department for Education-funded project, Supporting fostering services to recruit more foster carers, has been published this month. The project, which ran from April 2013 to March 2015, included four consortia based in West Yorkshire, the North West, the South and North East. Each consisted of at least one LA and one IFP; a number of the case studies focus on the challenges and opportunities presented from joint working across the sector.</p><p>The directory also contains case studies from Surrey, Essex, Redcar and Cleveland, Lincolnshire and Walsall Councils, which worked with The Fostering Network during the project, on a variety of areas to improve local recruitment activity. Each case study outlines the action, objective, process, challenges and top tips for other services to investigate the potential for implementing similar actions locally.</p><p><a href="https://www.fostering.net/recruitment-and-retention/resources">Download the Supporting Fostering Services to Recruit and Retain Foster Carers: a directory of case study resources</a> to read more.</p><h2>Foster Care Fortnight™ 2015</h2><p>The dust has well and truly settled on Foster Care Fortnight™ 2015, and The Fostering Network has produced an <a href="/sites/default/files/uploads/images/fs_evaluation_for_web.pdf">evaluation on this year’s Foster Care Fortnight™ campaign</a>, informed by your responses to the survey (thank you to those who responded).</p><p>But what of the enquiries you received? Those who responded to the survey saw an uplift in the quality of enquiry, but has that materialised into prospective foster carers entering Stage One of the assessment?</p><p><img alt="Quality of enquiries" src="/sites/default/files/uploads/images/fcf_evaluation_chart.jpg" style="height:220px; margin:8px; width:527px">​</p><p>Please get in touch to <a href="mailto:james.foyle@fostering.net">tell me about the impact of your local Foster Care Fortnight&nbsp;campaign</a>. A number of you have run fantastic campaigns this year and it will be interesting to see which have had the best outcomes so far.</p><h2>Kent struggling to place young asylum seekers</h2><p>At the start of the month The Fostering Network was asked to comment by the BBC on the strain to Kent Council’s children’s services due to the numbers of young asylum seekers entering the county.</p><p>As reported in a number of national newspapers, including this <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/jul/30/kent-social-services-struggling-to-cope-with-children-seeking-asylum">report in the Guardian</a>, the Council has calculated a £5.5 million shortfall in funds to meet the increased demand. Around 100 young asylum seekers have arrived in the county, needing foster care, in each of the past three months. The latest figure stands at over 600 children and young people at the time of writing.</p><p>With around 1,800 children already looked after in foster care in Kent, The Fostering Network believes strongly that this is a crisis to be shared across fostering services, not just Kent given its position as the main point of entry into the UK from mainland Europe.</p><p>It’s not just numbers of foster carers, it’s the support services necessary to help them care for children with a very specific set of needs. It’s also the necessity to provide consistency and continuity to existing foster carers and the children in their care as services continue to be stretched. <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/martin-barrow/calais_b_7932078.html">Foster carer and journalist Martin Barrow eloquently outlines the issues faced in this article</a>.</p><p>The Fostering Network is clear that a needs analysis is a fundamental starting point from which a fostering service conducts it recruitment and retention activity. But situations such as these are unprecedented, requiring Government intervention and co-operation between services to help ensure these children, who have had an unimaginably tough journey to be where they are, are cared for in the best possible manner.</p><h2>SGO consultation</h2><p>The Department for Education (DfE) is undertaking a <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/special-guardianship-review">review of Special Guardianship Orders </a>(SGOs) in England in a consultation which closes on 18 September 2015.</p><p>The Wade review found initial positivity towards SGOs, but the DfE is keen to understand whether they are continuing to be used effectively/appropriately, asking if there are any changes needed to the legal and/or practice framework in which special guardianship decisions are made, or whether the current framework works well.</p><p>There is also a concern that SGOs are being approved with incomplete information due to pressures on timescales. The DfE is therefore seeking your opinion on how well assessments for special guardians works at the moment, and whether this could be improved. Feedback is also welcomed on what the best practice in special guardianship looks like so that the DfE can support all practitioners to deliver this.</p><p>Take the time to share your views and concerns by completing the DfE’s consultation response form or feel free to pass on any information to us at The Fostering Network.</p><h2>Not just a simple act of kindness</h2><p><a href="http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/life/features/a-simple-act-of-kindness-reaching-out-and-making-a-difference-31419130.html">Scroll down this article</a>, beyond the Ed Sheeran tickets and luxury hotel rooms, and you’ll come across an all too familiar story. Chelsea, now a care leaver, experienced disruption and multiple moves between fostering households from the outset after being placed in foster care. Her traumatic experience, <em>“I would come home from school to discover my bags packed and that was it”</em>, serves as a reminder of how important it is to match the right foster carer with a child, first time.</p><p>Eventually, when Chelsea moved in with Sharon, she found a home, not a house, which gave her the stability and confidence to stay in education and start her teacher training.</p><p>What stands out for me in this article is Chelsea’s decision to move at 18, even though she could have stayed longer, but retaining contact with her former foster carer and living only 10 minutes away. “Having someone like (Sharon) in my life also makes me want to do my best, not just for me, but for her, too.</p><p>While Staying Put is enabling young people to stay longer, respecting their decision to leave while maintaining a familiar network of support is a positive step, although often unfunded and ‘beyond the radar’.</p><p>Your service will have foster carers like Sharon, and care leavers like Chelsea, who have an empowering and inspiring story to tell. Make sure you tell them, either as blogs on your website or in person at information sessions as fostering goes beyond a ‘simple act of kindness’.</p><h2>Muslim community bowled over in Lancashire</h2><p>Many services are trying, some with mixed success, to encourage specific religious communities to consider fostering.</p><p><img alt="Photo credit: Lancashire Evening Post" src="/sites/default/files/uploads/images/lancashirecricket.jpg" style="float:right; height:200px; margin:8px; width:278px">​Lancashire County Council engaged the help of foster carer and cricketer, Graham, to speak with and <a href="http://www.lep.co.uk/news/community/owzat-for-foster-parent-campaign-1-7361298">engage members of the local Muslim community about fostering</a>. Graham, who plays alongside 10 Muslim players, was invited to the mosque to talk about fostering by a fellow player.</p><p>Using your foster carers to identify a ‘warm lead’ to help gain access to a local community and better communicate the message is one of the key recommendations of The Fostering Network to help achieve your service’s recruitment and retention objectives.</p><p>As Graham found, he was made to feel extremely welcome by the 150 men present, who were very receptive and positive about fostering. The presentation was also transmitted to around 40 women in the mosque.</p><p>It may take time for his efforts to translate to enquiries, but branching out into local communities, having identified a specific need for more foster carers from it, and utilising the skills and connections of current foster carers, is a positive step forward by the authority. Once these channels have been opened, think about the message given (introduce fostering as a concept?), the person delivering it (are women allowed?), and what happens next (follow up, group session with foster carers?).</p><h3>PS Growing up in a pinball machine</h3><p><a href="http://www.conservativehome.com/platform/2015/07/alex-burghart-the-children-growing-up-in-a-pinball-machine.html?utm_campaign=twitter&amp;utm_medium=twitter&amp;utm_source=twitter">Growing up in a pinball machine</a> by Alex Burghart, director of policy at the Centre for Social Justice gives an insight into what happens without stability in foster care.</p><p>The article’s title comes from a quote from a young person in reference to her exams and education in general, “I’ve been living in a pinball machine. You try doing your exams in a pinball machine.”</p><p>Her education outcomes were a symptom, a primary cause was instability in foster care.</p><p>The facts are stark. Around a thousand children in care move schools each term. Instability is compounded by the constant rotation of social workers; “I’ve started calling them all Sally, I’ve had so many.” When we acknowledge that some older children in care can be difficult to look after, is it any wonder?</p><p>We can all be guilty of being led by statistics in our daily roles, but I include articles like this to remind us of what we’re all trying to achieve – to give young people stability, trust and a brighter future.</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/1548" hreflang="en">attracting and keeping carers</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/793" hreflang="en">recruitment</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/794" hreflang="en">retention</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=8592&amp;2=favourite_content" token="jSNV8tMhoR0Eep2f8SqMno95FBeyO_yBa1-lf2kY09k"></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=8592&amp;2=field_comment&amp;3=comment" token="UmxyhZfGSu-FXrD_viBqcnKBCcrOTlA938wGS7tB3HI"></drupal-render-placeholder> </section> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/comment/templates/field--comment.html.twig' --> Thu, 20 Aug 2015 10:46:38 +0000 James Foyle 8592 at https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/blogs/james-foyle/attracting-and-keeping-carers-august-2015#comments Attracting and Keeping Carers - July 2015 https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/blogs/james-foyle/attracting-and-keeping-carers-july-2015 <!-- 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>Attracting and Keeping Carers - July 2015</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="">James Foyle</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, 07/22/2015 - 10:58</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>I’ve managed to catch up with a number of you post Foster Care Fortnight™ and have been delighted to hear about all of the activity that took place. Please spare 10 or so minutes to complete the <a href="https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FCF2015"><em>Foster Care Fortnight</em>™​ evaluation survey</a> if you haven’t already done so.</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>Many of you have reported a significant uplift on the monthly enquiries you’ve received as a result of campaigning, as well as an improvement in quality of enquiry. I’ve no doubt a combination of either explicit targeted messaging or subliminal messaging through the use of imagery has helped contribute to this, as has the greater involvement of foster carers in recruitment activity.</p><p>Thank you again to everyone who has sent through examples of the Foster Care Fortnight materials you’ve produced – the puzzles in particular are great! As you enter a programme of summer activities, I really do hope you can continue to use these to ‘make a connection’ with new audiences.</p><h3>Fostering Service Benchmark released</h3><p><a href="https://www.fostering.net/recruitment-and-retention/fostering-service-benchmark">The Fostering Service Benchmark survey template is now available to download</a> and complete for services in England.</p><p>Created as part of the Department for Education project in 2013, the Fostering Service Benchmark is aligned to service performance in England, but with a significant amount relevant to fostering services in other countries.</p><p>Due to its origins, the benchmark has been open to just local authority fostering services in England. The Fostering Network has though committed to continuing the benchmark survey and this year will be free to both our local authority and independent fostering provider members in England to complete.</p><p>A number of questions within the benchmark relate to those required as part of the Ofsted return, hopefully making data entry straightforward. These sit alongside additional questions pertinent to fostering performance, bespoke to the benchmark.</p><p>Each participating service will receive a detailed report charting their performance against over 30 key metrics, providing invaluable trend data to services that have completed previous returns and a solid foundation to those new to the benchmark with which to influence practice. Headlines will be summarised in a national report – previous <a href="https://www.fostering.net/recruitment-and-retention/projects#.Va9z7PlVhHx">national reports are available on our website</a>.</p><p>It is hoped that this year’s benchmark will provide an accurate view of performance across the fostering sector, and an opportunity to identify the very best practice in England. Our aspiration going forward is to secure additional funding and resource to develop country-specific benchmarks in order to provide a comprehensive view of fostering service performance in the UK.</p><p>Please <a href="mailto:james.foyle@fostering.net?subject=Fostering%20Service%20Benchmark%20">contact me</a> if you would like to discuss further.</p><h3>Alfie’s Journey</h3><p>Fostering films are becoming ever more prevalent in the marketing mix to attract new people to become foster carers. I was recently invited by Coventry City Council to speak at the launch of their new film, <a href="https://youtu.be/tlvwd-griwk">Alfie’s Journey</a>.</p><p><img alt="Alfie's Journey - Coventry City Council" src="/sites/default/files/uploads/alfie-facebook-banner-1.jpg" style="float:right; height:148px; margin:8px; width:400px">Six months in the making, I could appreciate the team’s desire to keep it under wraps until the big reveal. Watching it for the first time, I can understand why; this is one of the best fostering films I have seen.</p><p>The three minute film shares Alfie’s story, voiced over by Jamal, a care leaver and an integral part of the team producing the film. Poignant moments, such as stepping into a new home for the first time are captured, as is the process of becoming part of the family. Content for the film has been informed by our research on Values Modes, with messages appealing primarily to Pioneers&nbsp;and&nbsp;Settlers and Prospectors to some extent.</p><p>Yes it does focus on the positives, but it is a feel good introduction to what we all hope foster care can provide. The film is a worthwhile investment and the whole team can take great credit in its quality – I still feel compelled to clap after each viewing.</p><h3>Planting the seed in Glasgow​</h3><p>​<img alt="Planting the seed - Glasgow City Council" src="/sites/default/files/uploads/glasgow_2.jpg" style="float:left; height:159px; margin:8px; width:250px">Glasgow City Council has recently launched a new campaign drawing inspiration from the botanical world. Let Glasgow’s Children Flourish is aiming to help children in the city put down roots.</p><p>Celia Gray, families for children service manager said, ‘These days, our families have all sorts of buds and branches – family isn’t just about DNA. Across our city children need families who will help them to flourish and to grow.’</p><p>All carers and adopters at the Celebration Day were gifted a plant, with the message Let Glasgow’s Children Flourish. And all in attendance left their fingerprints in brightly coloured paint to create a unique Carers/Adopters Family Tree as a memento of the day.</p><h3>Staying Put… to 25</h3><p>Children’s Commissioner, Anne Longfield, has called for <a href="http://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/news/three-thousand-children-year-have-leave-care-they-are-ready">children in care to receive support up to 25</a>, in a new report. A survey of nearly 3,000 children and young adults found nearly a third had felt forced to fend for themselves too early after leaving care. Over half were also unaware how to contact an advocate, a service to which they are entitled.</p><p>Of course a child ceases to be looked after at 18, but I’m surprised by the lack of acknowledgement of Staying Put, designed to aid the transition into adulthood, in Longfield’s response, “When a child reaches 18, a parent would not wave goodbye to them for good and close the door to them, so we shouldn’t do so for children in care…”</p><p>Staying Put, When I’m Ready, Continuing Care and the GEM scheme all make provision in varying forms for children up to the age of 21. We recognise the need to iron out processes and investment, particularly for Staying Put and When I’m Ready, to make it work for all involved. I agree wholeheartedly that children in care need more support when transitioning into adulthood, and the idea of a passport for children to access services, is a positive recommendation. There are also many informal examples of children staying with their former foster carers beyond the age of 21. But without a radical transformation of current provision and accessibility to both child and adult services, for me, 25 is sadly too aspirational an age at this stage.</p><h3>Foster carer taskforce in Wales</h3><p>The Fostering Network team in Wales has recently written to all Welsh foster carers to announce the creation of a Foster Carer Expert Group. The group will be supporting the work of the new Wales advisory committee and ensure we have a strong representation from foster carers in all that we do.</p><p>A call for expressions of interest is currently out and closes on Friday 31 July. A workshop for foster carers will be arranged for September to consider how the group will operate effectively and be of real value, with the group itself starting work in November.</p><p>Please encourage those foster carers who would like to participate to respond.</p><h3>What young people think<img alt="What Young People Think - TACT" src="/sites/default/files/uploads/tact.jpg" style="float:right; height:250px; line-height:19.7989406585693px; margin:8px; width:178px"></h3><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Fostering and adoption agency TACT has released a new report entitled, <a href="http://tactcare.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/TACT-Childrens-Survey.pdf">What Young People Think: and why it’s important to us</a>.</p><p>​Informed by 84 face to face interviews with children in care, the findings cover a range of issues, including the importance of belonging, with 95 per cent of young people interviewed feeling part of their carer’s family.</p><p>The report also contains some really interesting quotes from the young people surveyed, particularly around carer respite, “She needs to have time to herself because she works really hard looking after us.” and communication, “It is important that I am trusted by my carer. My carer does this. Communication with people around me is most important.”</p><p>Foster care safeguards vulnerable children, but many young people will have an opinion on decisions which affect them or their siblings. Supporting our foster carers to provide a safe but nurturing environment is vital for young people to develop and also help services retain the best foster carers.</p><h3>PS</h3><h4>Events</h4><p><strong>Permanence in Foster Care: Improving choices and life chances for children and young people, is taking place in London on Thursday 17 September.</strong></p><p>The event, essential for children’s and supervising social workers, IROs and team managers, will focus on permanence, the different options available and the impact of the changes in legislation and standing of long term foster care in England. Ofsted will be presenting on how the changes will affect the inspection framework, with the the National Independent Reviewing Officers Partnership looking at the role of the IRO in achieving permanency. There will also be presentations from The Fostering Network, while the afternoon session will include discussions on Staying Put.</p><p><strong><em>Fostering Achievement</em> is the theme for our annual conference this November. </strong></p><p>Drawing on innovative new approaches from our Fostering Achievement programmes, virtual schools and other leaders in the field, the conference will focus on the key issues is education for children in foster care. Dr Karen Treisman will be presenting a session on strengths based approaches and solution focused techniques; virtual school head, Bernadette Alexander, will talk about the impact of attachment and trauma on learning, and there will also be presentations from young ambassadors involved in London Fostering Achievement. Social workers, team managers and foster carers will all benefit from attending.</p><p>We are also in the planning stages of another Transforming Foster Carer Recruitment event, likely to take place in December. More details to follow.</p><p><a href="https://www.fostering.net/training-and-events/calendar#.VaZGjvlVhHw">Book places at any of our events</a> from our website.</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/795" hreflang="en">attracting</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1548" hreflang="en">attracting and keeping carers</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/793" hreflang="en">recruitment</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/794" hreflang="en">retention</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/632" hreflang="en">policy</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/326" hreflang="en">foster 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=8548&amp;2=favourite_content" token="2jPeOrZEkMKxGHcwm3KCL37TcIup9bsh_AEdtdJ_Z7M"></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=8548&amp;2=field_comment&amp;3=comment" token="o5IaIEzYIy481GpQR05jOryJqqaAUd7i02oNEjpAYvY"></drupal-render-placeholder> </section> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/comment/templates/field--comment.html.twig' --> Wed, 22 Jul 2015 10:58:59 +0000 James Foyle 8548 at https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/blogs/james-foyle/attracting-and-keeping-carers-july-2015#comments Attracting and Keeping Carers - June 2015 https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/blogs/james-foyle/attracting-and-keeping-carers-june-2015 <!-- 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>Attracting and Keeping Carers - June 2015</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="">James Foyle</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, 06/26/2015 - 09:19</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 Care Fortnight 2015 saw a tidal wave of fostering and orange has swept across the UK thanks to you and your foster carers.</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>We led with the results from a survey reporting that <a href="https://www.fostering.net/media-release/2015/teens-moved-too-many-times-around-care-survey-reveals#.VY0Zy_lVhHw">40 per cent of teenagers in foster care are already on their third placement; a quarter their fourth</a>. Carla, a care leaver and now social worker with Little Acorns, gave us a fantastic case study, which helped share our story.</p><p>Blogs have been the bedrock of the campaign, each day providing new insight into fostering from a different perspective. Thank you to everyone who contributed and helped us share their stories.</p><p>The placards have reached every corner of the UK, and we’re delighted with the variety of people who have been engaged. I know not everyone subscribes to the social media generation, and is therefore willing to have their profile online, but the 400+ who have participated demonstrate individually and collectively how important fostering is within our society. Placards have been conversation starters, educating people who would otherwise not connect with fostering about the benefits it brings, as well as celebrating those already connected to fostering.</p><p>Services have already been in touch to share the campaign’s impact for them, and there appears to be a steady stream of enquiries, with real spikes in some areas. I’d be really grateful if you can spare five to 10 minutes to complete our short survey about this year’s Foster Care Fortnight.</p><p>Here’s a summary of what everyone’s been up to…</p><h2>Foster Walks</h2><p><img alt="Fundraisers at Foster Walk London" src="/sites/default/files/uploads/dsc05111_0.jpg" style="float:right; height:195px; line-height:18.0000591278076px; margin:10px; width:291px"></p><p>The middle weekend of Foster Care Fortnight saw our inaugural Foster Walks take place across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Hundreds gathered in south Wales, Magherafelt, Gloucestershire and on the bank of the Thames in London, many donned in orange, in a celebration of fostering and raising funds for The Fostering Network.&nbsp;</p><p>Fostering services, foster carers and their children walked alongside members of staff from The Fostering Network and our partners Towergate and Endsleigh, enjoying conversations about their connection to fostering. I ‘Foster Walked’ in London and what was particularly good to see was the occasional member of the public asking questions of foster walkers and what they were doing, spreading the message of fostering. Some even reached into their pocket to donate to the cause on the spot – foster carers are clearly great advocates for fostering!</p><p>We hope these will be the first of many bigger and better Foster Walks in the years to come.</p><h2>Dorset documentary</h2><p>Sunday 7 June saw the first episode of a brand new documentary about fostering on the BBC. The four part series, <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b05z1bcr">Protecting Our Foster Kids</a>, was filmed with Dorset County Council’s fostering service over the course of a year.</p><p>This is unchartered territory for fostering. The Fostering Network has been approached numerous times with similar proposals but not for a number of years has permission been given to feature fostered children in this format.</p><p>The intention of the programme is to share, ‘the intimate day-to-day work foster carers and other professionals undertake, while helping the lives of children in care.’ The first episode contains some positive moments around fostering a teenager, alongside the hard, emotional reality of fostering. It illustrated a case where the sisters’ individual needs were better met when they lived apart, which is perhaps the exception and doesn’t back up our messages about the need for more foster carers who can keep siblings together. But it showed how important it is to convey that every child and their circumstances are unique.</p><h2>Foster Carer of the Year in NI</h2><p><img alt="Karen Sharkey, Foster Carer of the Year in Northern Ireland 2015" src="/sites/default/files/uploads/fcoty.jpg" style="float:left; height:200px; line-height:18.0000591278076px; margin:10px; width:300px"></p><p>Congratulations to Karen Sharkey, who has been awarded the Foster Carer of the Year in Northern Ireland award for 2015.</p><p>​Omagh resident Karen was inspired to foster by her aunt who was a foster carer for 25 years.</p><p>Awards ceremonies are always such a powerful tool to acknowledge and celebrate the work of your foster carers. As in the case of our awards, it also provides an opportunity for friends and relatives to step forward and nominate a foster carer, expanding the range of people engaged but also the positive messages shared. Susan, who nominated Karen, said of her, “She goes to great lengths to fully understand their conditions and will do whatever it takes for the children in her care to achieve their full potential. She gives them so much love and one to one attention. It is lovely to see them living such happy lives.” What better way to showcase fostering?</p><h2>Foster Carers’ Charter launched in Wales</h2><p><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/uploads/senedd_charter.jpg" style="float:right; height:215px; line-height:18.0000591278076px; margin:10px; width:300px"></p><p>On Friday 12 June I headed to Cardiff to&nbsp;attend&nbsp;the Foster Care Fortnight celebration event at the Senedd in Cardiff. The event saw the launch of the new Foster Carers’ Charter in Wales – outlining the roles and commitments of both fostering services and their foster carers.</p><p>Keynote speaker, Mark Drakeford AM, minister for health and social services in Wales also spoke on When I’m Ready, the new legislation in Wales allowing fostered young people to stay with their foster carer to 21.</p><p>Like Staying Put in England, When I’m Ready has the potential to make an extremely positive difference to young people in foster care. But the spirit of it needs to be followed by all services involved in the process. It is therefore an opportunity for all those who truly want the best outcomes for looked after children to come together to make it work for them.</p><h2>Leeds joint working</h2><p><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/uploads/leeds_joint_recruitment.jpg" style="float:right; height:163px; margin:10px; width:250px">​Following their involvement as one of the 12 local authorities involved in the Department for Education’s fostering consortia project, Leeds Council has continued the joint working initiative for Foster Care Fortnight.</p><p>Fifteen fostering services came together on the second Monday of Foster Care Fortnight to provide expert advice to those interested in becoming a foster carer. Fifty people attended the event at the First Direct Arena, with around half requesting a home visit to find out more.</p><p>The event was advertised on radio and across social media by all partners, and has clearly been a success in engaging members of the public and bringing services together.</p><p>This is a truly pioneering approach by the authority (please do get in touch to tell me otherwise) and could well pave the way for more services to approach foster carer recruitment in this manner. Look out for more on this initiative in next month’s edition.</p><h2>Foster carers consult with Government</h2><p>The Fostering Network in Scotland pulled out all the stops to run a series of events this Foster Care Fortnight.</p><p>A fantastic event hosted by the Scottish Government was the highlight, with foster carers and other professionals consulting on the continuing care regulations. We also held an open day in The Fostering Network Scotland offices, a Reach Out event which explored the issues of fostering a disabled child, and media training for our Fostering Community Champions young champions.</p><h2>Targeted events</h2><p>High streets, supermarkets, community and sports centres and various office bases often have a fostering service presence during Foster Care Fortnight. Increasingly, services are seeking targeted opportunities to meet community groups and hold invite only-events to enhance their recruitment and retention activity.</p><p>Surrey County Council is one of a number of services using this approach this Foster Care Fortnight. Recruitment officer, Linda, says: “We understood that the most effective way to reach the specific audiences we wanted to talk to was to go direct to them, holding or attending events in their environment and building relationships with them, ideally through trusted peers who can relay their personal experiences of fostering. We believe that the events are not an end in themselves but the start of a long and enduring relationship that will lead to people from those communities to be inspired to become carers. We took carers who were part of those communities with us to help build trust and to convey that people like them can and do foster.</p><p>“Highlights included the chairman of the council joining us with the Outline Group at the international day against homophobia and transphobia in Woking, and we were made to feel like royalty with a banquet fit for kings and queens at the mosque in Ashford and Staines.”</p><p>The service has received 44 enquiries since May, and hopefully many more will follow.</p><p>Many of you are increasingly seeing a benefit from holding targeted events. What impact are you seeing on the quality of enquiries as a result? Are more suitable and progressing through the application process? Email me at james.foyle@fostering.net</p><h2>Foster Care Fortnight service activity</h2><p>So many of you have engaged in this year’s campaign, it is impossible to acknowledge everyone who has contributed. On the placard front alone, Blue Sky Fostering, Sefton and Slough Councils, Swiis, and Eastern Family Services have been prolific. <a href="https://uk.pinterest.com/fosteringnet/foster-care-fortnight-2015/">Our Pinterest board now has over 450 pins</a>.</p><p><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/uploads/cake.jpg" style="height:200px; line-height:18.0000591278076px; margin:10px; width:200px"><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/uploads/sandwell_foster_carers.jpg" style="height:200px; line-height:18.0000591278076px; margin:10px; width:300px"><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/uploads/sliding_puzzle_-_low_res.jpg" style="height:200px; margin:10px; width:200px"></p><p>Of course, this year’s theme is not limited to Foster Care Fortnight. It can be used throughout the year to help recruit and retain foster carers, as many are planning to do.&nbsp;</p><p>One service which has particularly used the theme as a bedrock for recruitment and wider work is Eastern Family Service. On attending the Foster Care Fortnight workshop in London in February, recruitment officer Lucy was inspired to make a connection with the service’s local community. The approach has led to the service sponsoring a community gig racing team and a regular slot on a community radio show. These have all been achieved through making connections with local people who themselves had a direct connection to fostering. Their homemade radio series will have testimony from someone who has been fostered, foster carers, social workers, someone who has grown up in a fostering family, someone with experience of fostering asylum-seeking-children. This rich content will be shared on their website and form part of a social media campaign.</p><p>All this activity developing relationships with local people has created a foundation for further work – opportunities for the fostered children to experience the gig boat, and to raise the team’s awareness of fostered children.</p><p>Lucy says, “In short, the theme has been a rich source of inspiration to us and I am sure it will continue to form the basis for our ethos as we grow.”</p><h3>PS</h3><p>Congratulations to Maria White, county marketing &amp; recruitment officer, fostering &amp; adoption in Oxfordshire for winning The Heart FM Marketing Excellence Award! The award is for a specific marketing campaign that ran during 2014 which could be attributed to achieving an increased level of commercial success. The judges looked for clear planning of objectives, innovation and a clearly expressed and articulated objective-led campaign strategy.</p><p>Maria said "the strategy was to deliver a marketing campaign to energise the look and feel of our publicity and to continue that across all media platforms.</p><p>“We know that for many reasons people rule themselves out of both fostering and adoption believing that they would not be able to apply - it was our aim to ensure that we opened people's minds to the idea that they can".</p><p>This is a great achievement, and one which will continue to help the service achieve its aim.</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/793" hreflang="en">recruitment</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/794" hreflang="en">retention</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1548" hreflang="en">attracting and keeping carers</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=8506&amp;2=favourite_content" token="wxv_djzR2EjO0gtmxS3DllUqgOKxONJqRa2ljdgJXj4"></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=8506&amp;2=field_comment&amp;3=comment" token="KdmOIMaOolWU_megSJqWs0MdUnetWhyMdZKDPCFDVgg"></drupal-render-placeholder> </section> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/comment/templates/field--comment.html.twig' --> Fri, 26 Jun 2015 09:19:52 +0000 James Foyle 8506 at https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/blogs/james-foyle/attracting-and-keeping-carers-june-2015#comments