Fostering Devon Newsletter 20/04/2018

Fostering Devon

Fostering Devon Newsletter 20/04/2018 

News and Updates
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Foster Carer Allowances

We are continuing our detailed review of foster carer fees with activity taking place as we move through the process. 

The workshop with foster carers at the end of January identified a financial model for our finance department to explore in full detail. Senior Managers and Cabinet Members have also scrutinised the proposed model and its’ implications, suggesting changes that have been explored and fed back into the proposal. In addition, a Masterclass was held for Scrutiny Panel Members to update them on the review and proposals to date, individual meetings with councillors have also taken place as requested.

Now extensive financial modelling is being undertaken to explore the impact of the proposed model to ensure that it meet the criteria set at the beginning of this review.

To help explain where we are in the process, please see a diagram showing an overview of the stages yet to be undertaken and the different elements of each stage. Please also see Scheme Principles. Alongside this process the strategy group meet monthly to update on progress, foster carer representation continues on the project group. 

Your patience with the process is greatly appreciated, as soon as further information is available it will be shared with you. 

Please send us an email to childsc.fosteringallowancesconsultation-mailbox@devon.gov.uk if you have any views and/or comments. 


Exeter University

University for Care Leavers – What’s it all about?

We are keen to promote a roadshow of events that will be taking place across the South West during April to June 2018 - specifically for Foster Carers, Social Workers or Personal Advisers who work with Looked After young people

Each event will run from 10am to 2pm and provide attendees with information about what higher education is all about and how they can raise aspirations by attending this informal event.  Sessions will look at busting some of the myths around higher education, how to apply for University and student finance. There will also be a student panel.

The events are free to attend and lunch and refreshments will be provided. The dates and locations for Plymouth and Exeter events are:

Thurs 26 April @ University of Exeter, Streatham Campus, The Queen’s Drive, Exeter EX4 4QJ

Thurs 10 May @ University of Plymouth, Drake’s Circus, Plymouth PL4 8AA

Other dates/locations are:

Thurs 26 April @ University of Exeter, Penryn Campus

Thurs 26 April @ University of Bath

Wed 2 May @ University of Gloucester

Fri 4 May @ University of West of England, Bristol

Mon 11 June @ Arts University, Bournemouth

Attendees from any Local Authority area are welcome to attend any of the dates/locations.  

Book your place now at:  uni-for-care-leavers.eventbrite.co.uk


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National Citizen Service

NCS (National Citizen Service) is the country’s flagship youth development programme available to all 16 and 17 year olds. 

NCS is a part-residential experience focussed around fun and discovery, with 30 hours committed to a local community project. Young people work in diverse teams of twelve to fifteen, building skills for work and life, taking on exciting challenges, making new friends, and contributing to their community. The programme runs outside term time, with young people taking part in the summer holidays. Government funding means you pay no more than £50 to take part covering food, transport and accommodation during the programme, though bursaries are available for young people unable to meet the cost. 

Phase 1. Young people stay away from their local area for 5 days 4 nights at an outdoor activity centre, taking on outward-bound challenges.

Phase 2. Participants live away again for 5 days 4 nights but closer to home typically in University style accommodation, building independence.

Phases 3-4. Participants are back at home, but continue to work in their teams to give something back to their community by planning and delivering their own 30 hour social action project.

Please click here to view our PDF booklet which will give you an in depth overview of the programme, it's aims, and outcomes.


Home for good

Home for Good

Home for Good is a faith based organisation with a desire to support fostering and adoption in the local community. The organisation has been working with a number of carers in the area and are wanting to explore different ways in which to support carers. For those of you who are interested please click on the link below where you will learn more and also see information targeted at local workers: https://www.homeforgood.org.uk/events/childrens-and-youth-leader-training-exeter-2018-07-05 


Social Worker of the Year Awards 2018

Entries for the 2018 Social Worker of the Year Awards are open and will close on the 20th July.

There are sixteen categories in total across the specialisms of both children’s and adult services for individual social workers and social work teams from across England. Awards include Social Worker of the Year, Team of the Year, Team Leader of the Year and Newly Qualified Social Worker of the Year. There are also categories to recognise social work students, practice educators, mental health practitioners and qualified social workers not employed by a local authority.

Click here to see a full list of categories.


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Devon Foster Carers' Association

Newsletter 20/4/18

Calendar of Events

  

Support groups
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Support Groups

Please click here for the Support Groups Calendar.

Sampford Peverrell Support Group 25/4/18 - details 

Honiton Informal Support Group 2/5/18 - details

 

Training

Training Manual

For the 2018 / 2019 Training Manual - please click here

Useful contacts

Fostering Devon Key Contacts

Strategy Group Members

Peer Guides

Devon Duty

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