Fostering Devon Newsletter 21/09/2018

Step Forward Week

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.

Sons And Daughters Month Competition

To celebrate Sons and Daughters month, and all of the amazing children in fostering families, we are running a great competition to encourage our members to get creative in October.

This year's competition will be all about #OurGreatestMemory, a heartwarming theme centred on children and young people living in fostering households sharing a unique or significant moment from their fostering journey.

To enter the competition, all you need to do is send us a video, drawing or photo that represents your greatest memory with your fostering family. You could be in with a chance of winning a £25 One4All voucher!

https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/get-involved/championing-fostering/sons-and-daughters-month/sons-and-daughters-month-competition

Message From Andrea Morris, Senior Manager, County Wide Services

Kath Drescher is moving on to manage Adoption South West and Andrea Morris has now joined as the management support for the fostering service.

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

Hello everyone,

I am delighted to be back working in the fostering world again. It was lovely to see some familiar faces at the recent carer Gala Dinner. Some of you may remember me from my first time in the service, when I worked with you for nine years altogether. Since then, I have been in various leadership roles across Devon, all of which have been aimed at improving the lives of children and young people in Devon.

Supporting children in care and foster carers is in my DNA – my parents were foster carers when I was growing up, and this influenced my decision to become a social worker. I am aware of the fantastic impact carers can have on the lives of children and their families and am really looking forward to working with you all to achieve the best outcomes we can for our most vulnerable young people. I am also aware that sometimes it can be a tough journey to help youngsters to reach their potential and am wholeheartedly committed to us providing the best supervision and support to you as carers. I look forward to meeting some of you at support groups and other events over the coming months.

With very best wishes and thanks for all you do.

Andrea

REACH

Reducing Exploitation and Absence from Care or Home (REACH) is a service which supports young people who either go missing, or who are at risk of Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE).

The primary purpose of REACH is to raise the profile and awareness of missing and CSE, with children and young people, their families and professionals who work with them. To achieve this, REACH promotes the Southwest Peninsula CSE Strategy principals in respect of CSE and missing young people, by seeking to Prepare, Prevent, Protect and Pursue. Click here to find out more.

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.