Fostering Devon Newsletter 07/09/2018

Foster Carers Fees And Allowances Update

It has been a busy few months of consultation, six ‘open door’ events took place during July and August with two more dates scheduled for September. Carers have used these events to gain an understanding of the proposed new fee model and have had the opportunity to share their thoughts on the pros and cons of the proposal. Carers have been able to give written feedback on a ‘feedback wall’ and also privately in a comments box. In addition, carers have been encouraged to email feedback to us using childsc.fosteringregisteredmanager-mailbox@devon.gov.uk .

We recently sent personalised letters and copies of the proposed Assessment Tool to give carers a more detailed understanding of the implications of the model for individual households, we hope these were informative.

The feedback received is being collated as it comes in and common themes are emerging. Consultation feedback will be shared with Senior Management and with the Scrutiny Committee on the 17th of September 2018. If you haven’t already attended one of the open events please take the opportunity to come along on the 11th September at the ISCA Centre, Exeter, or the 12th September at the Plough Arts Centre in Torrington.

The mailbox will be open for feedback until the end of the consultation period on 13th September 2018.

I Can Foster...

Thank you to everyone who has responded to our call to take part in our TV advert…it’s still not too late to get involved, we are still looking for more willing volunteers, especially male carers. We are also pleased to be able to cover mileage and a day rate of £40 per carer for those willing volunteers! Further details below.

..................................................................................................

As part of our ‘I can foster’ recruitment campaign we are making a TV advert to encourage anyone considering fostering to get in touch with us. The advert will be shown on Sky TV in the New Year, and used on our website and social media channels.

We would like to show the many faces of fostering, the diversity of people who become foster carers for Devon children, dispelling myths around the ‘types’ of people who foster. To do this with authenticity we would really like to use Devon foster carers in the advert. 

The advert will hopefully be filmed on a weekend at the end of September/early October. It will be made up of a series of portrait shots of different carers in a natural pose, it may show something about the personality of the carer, perhaps an interest or hobby that is enjoyed such as cycling/watersports/art/gardening/dance/coffee with friends, or a uniform that is worn at work or in your hobby, a wetsuit/cycle helmet/gardening gloves for example. We are still exploring different ideas but we know we would like to show the enjoyment and rewards fostering can bring, and involve real carers from all walks of life, carers of all ages, sexes, both couples and singles.  

You don’t need to have any experience, you won’t need to act, in fact we want you just as you are, you may just have to say a few words.

If you would be happy to be involved please email rachel.mildon@devon.gov.uk and we’ll be in touch with more information as soon as possible.   

Sons & Daughters Month 2018

We are planning to support The Fostering Networks’ 2018 campaign #OurGreatestMemory, which runs throughout October. This year they are celebrating the important contribution that the children of foster carers make to foster care by running a competition called #OurGreatestMemory. It runs from 25th September until the end of October, further information including how to enter can be found here: https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/get-involved/championing-fostering/sons-and-daughters-month/sons-and-daughters-month-competition

Here at Fostering Devon we’d love to hear your #OurGreatestMemory moments as well, you can email them to rachel.mildon@devon.gov.uk and we will use them (anonymously) on Facebook and Twitter during October.

Gala Dinner Celebration - 23rd August 2018

A wonderful evening of celebration, inspiration and a little perspiration!

The Gala Dinner was an glorious evening attended by carers from across the county. One of the many highlights of the evening was the inspirational speech by Ian Thomas. Ian is a former looked after child who had  lived with 20 families and in several children’s homes. Ian left care at age seventeen and quickly entered into the criminal justice system shortly after. Which resulted in a total of; 35 arrests, seven convictions, consequently being accommodated in ten prisons over three years of incarceration. Ian’s  last visit to Exeter was aged 19 as an inmate of HMP Exeter! However he is now heading for a First Class Honour Degree in Social Work and is making a difference in carers and childrens lives. A look at his Ted Talk will give you an understanding of this young man’s inspirational journey. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ian6CTqj6w

After the dinner individual thanks were given by Head of Service Darryl Freeman to carers Linda & Philip Cornish, Patsy & Max Harden, Rose Jury and Felicity Langford with the presentation of flowers. The evening concluded with young and old taking to the dance floor with Line Dancing lead by our very own Jo Partridge.

It was a wonderful opportunity for Fostering Devon, local councillors and others who volunteered their talents and time to show their appreciation to Devon foster carers. We look forward to many more.                    

CiC Attendance Policy

Parents and Carers of children of compulsory school age (aged between 5 and 15 years at the start of the academic year) are, by law, required to ensure that their children receive a suitable education through regular attendance at school or otherwise. Official research by the DfE shows, in general, the higher the percentage of sessions missed across the Key Stage, the lower the likely level of attainment at the end of Key Stage 2. - click here to read more. 

Step Forward

The HR Apprenticeship team are currently developing ‘Step Forward’, an employability programme for care-leavers aged 16 to 25.  

The programme offers a wide range of opportunities including work experience, access to qualifications in English and Maths, short courses where you can learn from home, careers advice and coaching, all within a personalised plan tailored to meet the individuals’ needs.

We will be holding ‘Step Forward Week’ during w/c 24th September across various locations where young people can sit down with one of the Step Forward Team on an informal, one to one basis (they are welcome to bring someone with them) to explore interests, skills and career ideas and how the programme may support them to achieve these. It will also be an opportunity to discuss any barriers they may face in accessing the programme and how these can be overcome. As part of the induction session an initial individualised programme will be developed for the young person based on what has been discussed and what we have on offer.

We would really appreciate your support in raising awareness about the programme and helping to engage our young people; it would be great if you could share the attached poster with anyone you know of who might benefit from the programme. If you have any questions then please do not hesitate to contact the team whose details are included on the poster.

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.

Student Of The Year - Well done to Ellie Harris!

Ellie has continued to work really hard at college and thoroughly deserves ''student of the year' for the 3rd year running. She has now achieved her Level 2 in Health and Social Care and intends to go back to Exeter College in September to start work on her Level 3 Health and Social Care. Ellie has never given up on her studies and although it has been very stressful sometimes she has put extra effort in and re-submitted work if she wants a higher grade. Ellie wants to be a nurse one day, she has a very kind nature and is compassionate towards others. I have no doubt she will make a brilliant nurse. Well done Ellie, we are all proud of you!

(Tracey Smith, DYPAS carer)

North Devon Fostering Walk

On August 10th we enjoyed another fun Fostering walk up in North Devon, with a collection of foster carers, children, grandchildren and dogs. This time we ventured up to Lynton and Lynmouth with stunning scenery and the amazing cliff top railway, which we went both down on at the start of the walk and back up again at the end of the day. We walked to Watersmeet along the river and back through the woods, stopping for a picnic at Watersmeet, a beautiful spot by the river, which as you can see in the photos some of the children and dogs ventured into! This ended up being a walk of more than 5 miles, further than planned (3 miles), so refreshments and ice-creams were well deserved at the end of the walk!

THANK YOU! 

A MASSIVE BIG THANK YOU to Ross and Lynda for hosting a brilliant day for foster carers, foster children and birth children last Saturday (1st September), at their lovely farm in the Devon countryside. Thank you for the farm walk (through fields, woods and streams(!), the delicious BBQ and afternoon tea in the garden.

It was good to see everyone eating and chatting together and the children playing together.

This was a great way to end the summer holidays, and many of those who came along are suggesting this could become an annual event! 

(Lindsay Hartley Russell, Fostering Social Worker)