Fostering Devon newsletter 19/10/2018

Fostering Devon

Fostering Devon newsletter 19/10/2018

News and Updates

Thanks

Fees and Allowance Update

The new Fostering and Fees Allowances Model was unanimously approved by cabinet on 10th October 2018. https://devoncc.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/364301

Thank you to all carers and staff who participated in the process. The minutes of the meeting will be available on the main Devon County Council website. Work will continue over the coming months as we head towards implementation in January 2019.


NEW

Help to Save: Government launches new savings scheme to help low-income workers

Help to save could help working people on tax credits and universal credit, save thousands of pounds over a four-year period. Hundreds of thousands of people on low incomes could benefit from a new savings scheme. To find out more, Foster Carers can phone FosterTalks's tax and benefits team on-01527 836910.


What's Next

As the new academic year begins, young people start to consider their plans for the future. The Fostering Service has met recently with representatives from colleges across Devon. The colleges are very willing to show young people around to help them make informed decisions for their future. Below are contact details of the Colleges.

  • Exeter College - HannahRobson@exe-coll.ac.uk - 01392 400447
  • Petroc - steve.griggs@petroc.ac.uk - 01271 852489 / 07967650981
  • Bicton College - ginnette.Williams@bicton.ac.uk - 01395 562400
  • Bicton College - LMCherrett@bicton.ac.uk - 01395 562406
  • South Devon College - rhiannongray@southdevon.ac.uk - 01803 540540 / 07900287135
  • City College Plymouth - AGee@cityplym.ac.uk - 01752 305885 / 07815129310  

signp

Northern Devon and Surrounding Areas-18th October 2018

Chicks-The Autumn/Winter edition of Chicks Magazine is now available to read online. The theme is 'All Grown Up' and focuses on the stories of adults who went on CHICKS breaks as children.

Contact have just updated one of their most popular parent guides: Claiming Disability living Allowance for Children. They've also refreshed their developmental delay guide. Visit www.contact.org.uk

Dental Toolkit- Autism speaks partnered with Colgate and Philips-Sonicare to create a video and a free downloadable dental guide for families of children with autism. To find out more visit the Autism Speaks website.

Sky Badger have recently updated their list of Make a Wish Charities

Unique Tales for Siblings is a fun cartoon style booklet aimed at children to help explain chromosomes and chromosome disorders. It's free to download here

Celbra have recently published an article focusing on children who need a parent with them in order to sleep, available to download free from the website.

SNAP is a fun, social club in Okehampton for children and young people with special needs. They meet every Thursday 6:45pm-8:15pm, to enjoy music, dance, gymnastics, trampolining and develop fundamental movement skills. For more details, or to join, please contact snap.okey@gmail.com - 077851257733 or Vicki Pritchard at vicki@ocrasport.org.uk

Bis-NET Training-To find out more on prices and booking a place click here.

Mindfulness Research-Are you a carer of a child or adult who lives with you and has a learning difficulty? If so, you might be interested in taking part in some new research about an online mindfulness course for parents of people with LD. To register your interest in this project, please contact S.Flynn.1@warick.ac.uk - 07823362152. To find out more go to http://ow.ly/9ZMt30mgtOI


Honiton Evening Support Group-Christmas Night Out

When? 7th November 2018

Where? Hare and hounds pub

Time? 7pm 

Please let Annie know if you plan to come so she can book a table! 
annie.monaghan@devon.gov.uk
07815422638

Tree

County Lines

County Lines

The Children's Commissioner estimates there are at least 46,000 children in England involved in gang activity. Gang members deliberately target vulnerable children e.g. Homeless children and Children living in Care Homes. To find out the signs of County Lines and Criminal Exploitation, Visit  https://www.childrenssociety.org.uk/what-is-county-lines 

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Fostering Conference

Foster Carer Conference - 31st October 2018

Have you booked your place yet? Foster Carer Conference 2018 is being held on 31st October at Cullompton Community Centre. Sarah Naish is talking about Compassion Fatigue in Fostering. Please find attached, the poster and flyer for this inspiring event.


refer

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.

Support groups
Support group calendar

Support Groups

Please click here for the Support Groups Calendar.

 

 

 

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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Got something interesting or important you’d like to include in the newsletter? Fostering Devon Newsletter will be issued fortnightly. Please send newsletter items to fosteringassessmentsadministration-mailbox@devon.gov.uk