Fostering Newsletter 18/05/2018

Enterprise Day 30th May 2018

Please encourage all Children in Care in Y9, Y10 & Y11 to attend the Enterprise Day.

The day will take place at County Hall on the 30th May 2018 starting at 10am and will finish at 3pm, lunch will be included.

To book a place email Kate - Kate.Clarke@devon.gov.uk

The programme will cover the following: 

• An ice breaker to get everyone talking and mixing
• An opportunity for the volunteers to talk about their career journey – We are hoping that each young person will be able to hear from at least 4 of the volunteers on their career journey
• An activity looking at transferable skills and why they are important
• Review and look at CV’s why important what we are looking for. Discussion with the volunteer on the importance of a good CV in order to get short listed
• Opportunity to write a CV with help from volunteers and team members
• Review real job adverts and to discuss what they need to do in order to prepare for completion
• Complete an application form working with information they have collected from their CV
• Discussion on interview techniques and tips. Typical questions and body language
• Undertake a mock interview with one of the volunteers to review what they have learnt.

Summer Theatre Week

This Summer, PaddleBoat want to give children who are fostered or in care an opportunity to work together for a week to create a brand new piece of theatre, created entirely from their own imaginations.

When: Monday 30th July – Friday 3rd August, 10:30-3:30

Where: Thornlea Building, Exeter University, New North Road, Exeter, EX4 4LA

Who: Children aged 5-11 who are in care or fostered, and their siblings.

For more information, please follow this link.

Mental Health Awareness

Given it's mental health week this week and the fact that more primary schools are referring children to mental health services, hopefully this poster goes some way to raise awareness of the often taboo subject. Please click here to view the poster.

It's existence came about following a young person's suicide earlier this year and although he was a member of a Mid Devon Rugby Club it can be adapted to suit any sport / group of people.  It's hoped you will see it around not only at rugby clubs but schools and the wider community. It's publication is free and please feel free to re print it where appropriate. The only reason it's copyrighted is to protect the image from defacing.  I hope you find it useful.

(Deb Whiteway - Foster Carer and Peer Guide)

Carer's Day 25th April 2018

Well what an amazing day! It was a revelation to me as a new member of the fostering support team in Exeter to see what our hard-working carers are prepared to put into an event like this, whilst juggling their own lives and caring for some of the most vulnerable children in Devon. It is astonishing that alongside bedtimes, homework, and school runs, people were able to contribute oodles of delicious food to the bring and share lunch (which I sadly missed!). I was transfixed as people arrived with cream teas, pasties, cakes and other delights including some healthy options! It took me all my will power to drag myself away when I had to leave for my meeting.

I was however fortunate enough to be there for the drumming session, kindly provided by Hannah Jasmin. So many people got involved including children it was such a creative way to engage people and give an opportunity to experience the stress relief and fun offered by an activity that I feel most of us would be otherwise unlikely to try. I’m sure you all join us in our thanks to Hannah who led the session, and also to Matt for arranging for them to come. Thanks also to Lorraine Sercombe for looking after the children when they were not getting involved and indeed throughout the day.

After all the exertion came the bring and share lunch co-ordinated by Felicity Whitehead. I hear from Sharon she had to curtail her enjoyment of the fantastic selection of savoury offerings when she saw the delights of the sweets on offer. I can’t speak specifics (although I managed to grab a delicious homemade peanut cookie in the morning), but I was subjected to much excited discussion about the various culinary delights long into the following week! And ‘No’ they didn’t bring me anything back, except my own cake, I’m not sure how to take that!

Following lunch everyone was treated to a fun quiz organised by Mel and Tim Boarer and the opportunity to win a fabulous experience at the Exeter Golf and Country Club. The winner Cathy Shortland will get to use the facilities at the golf club as well as prosecco OR Gin, sorry Cathy if you were hoping for both! Thank you so much to Mel and Tim  for all the work put into preparing the quiz and to Jenny Ashford for the donation of such a wonderful prize. What a treat! I hear from the team that they have learnt a lot about their new manager and his competitive nature, perhaps just as well I wasn’t there.  

After the success of this day the only response is, when’s the next one? With this in mind, do please let us know any ideas for our Christmas event. With such an inspiring bunch of people it is guaranteed to be another huge success!

Thanks again to everyone involved for making it such a special day.

(Helen Reed)

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.

Refer A Friend Scheme - up to £500 when you refer a friend to foster

As you are a foster carer you will know how personally rewarding it is to help shape a child’s future. So if you are passionate about what you do, and can think of a friend or family member who would be a great foster carer, why don’t you tell them about our Refer a Friend Scheme? 

You could receive up to £500 for every person you refer if they become an approved foster carer for Fostering Devon - click here to read more.  

Coffee Morning 7th June 2018

A joyful coffee morning has been organised for you and the foster children on 07/06/2018 at Colaton Raleigh Village Hall from 10am-12pm. This is to say a humongous ''Thank-You!'' for all your hard work and care of our looked after children. Come rain or shine and have a Taiko drumming experience with Jasmine, she will create a perfect moment for you!

We would appreciate if you could confirm you attendance by 05/06/2018 by contacting either Annie Monaghan or Camelia Alexia. Email us at annie.monaghan@devon.gcsx.gov.uk and/or camelia.alexia@devon.gov.uk. Alternatively, use their mobile numbers 07896969983 & 07815422638. It's fun time, don't miss out!