Fostering Devon Newsletter 30/11/2018
Fees and Allowances Update
The foster carer implementation group met for the first time on 16 November. The group is made up of the same foster carers that originally met to develop the new fees and allowances model almost 12 months ago. Members of the group were invited from all the current tiers and types of fostering, as well as some being members of the DFCA and the IWGB.
The group terms of reference clearly set out that they are now ‘constructive reviewers’ of the new model and are not expected to change any of the agreed foundations. So far, they have been involved in reviewing some of the finer detail around the assessment process, the training and support group principles and the payment protection for carers.
The group are happy to feedback that all questions and comments raised by carers during the consultation phase have been thoroughly considered and where appropriate used to shape the design of the new model.
After the first session the group agreed that it had been a ‘very productive session’, one that ‘takes time to work through but it’s important to get it right’. They felt that it had been ‘good to be able to input into rewording and clarifying’ the finer detail and at the end felt the model was ‘very clear, easy to understand and no surprises.’
We now move on to begin assessments of children and young people throughout December. There will be a period of moderation before the new fees and allowances go live later in January.
We would like to take this opportunity to clarify the new fees and allowances figures as shown below. The standard weekly allowance that every carer will receive is £213.01, this excludes the birthday, festival and holiday allowances which will be paid near the relevant date. Below we have split out the birthday, festival and holiday allowances as requested by carers. Overall the standard payment a carer receives over the course of a year is exactly as agreed by Cabinet. Apologies for any earlier confusion around this.
The support group and training allowance will be paid to all carers when the new fees and allowances are introduced in good faith that carers will attend 6 of each per year in the year ahead. Going forward attendance will be recorded.
We are currently working on updating the fees and allowances page of the website with the full details and definitions, we will let you know as soon as it is live.
Fun on Our recent Fostering Walk
During the October halt term break, we enjoyed another of our fun walks up in North Devon. This time it was exploring Braunton Burrows on a beautiful sunny day. We enjoyed a picnic on the beach! As you can see from the picture we found an old boat to climb on! We ended the walk (as always) with drinks and cakes, this time at St Johns Garden Centre.
Our next walk is going to be on Saturday January 5th, 2019. Further details to follow.
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Babies: Their Wonderful World
On 26th November 'Babies: Their Wonderful World' was aired on BBC 2. Here is the link to BBC iPlayer for you to watch the first episode. There are two more episodes to come, making it a three part series. It follows several babies and explores how the first two years of life make us individual and other fascinating topics. Hopefully this programme will interest lots of you!
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Quids For Kids
The Quids For Kids project provide specialist advice to: Families of children (or young people up to the age of 21) with additional needs, a long-term illness or disability, Care leavers, Young homeless people, Foster Parents and People looking after a child with a special guardianship order.
Check out their website for more information and to find an enquiry/referral form.
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Evening at the Pantomime!
If you're interested in watching Jack and the Beanstalk surrounded by carers just like you, then you need to express your interest soon! It is a first come first serve basis and we've already had lots of interest. Please email us, putting 'Pantomime' in the subject line followed by your area i.e. North. In the email please state the number of tickets you require and the names of the people who want to attend.
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Calling All Carers...
Christmas is fast approaching and with this comes a time when placements breakdown and many Foster Carers have pre-arranged plans. With this in mind we are asking Foster Carers who may have extra capacity to take an emergency over the Christmas period. Please contact us with the room(s) you will have over the festive period. These extra places have been invaluable over the last couple of years. Hopefully these extra placements will not be needed but we would like to thank all of you for considering this request. We wish you all a lovely Christmas!
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Here is an information booklet on County Lines guidance for anyone who is wanting to gain a deeper understanding on the matter.
Honiton Support Group
Wednesday 5th December-10am-12pm. St. Rita's Centre, Ottery Moor Lane, Honiton, EX14 1AP
Come along for Mince Pies and Christmas Cheer! It will be a round up of the year and planning for next year.
Email Annie or Denise to confirm your attendance.
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DFCA Christmas Meeting and Lunch
Tuesday 4th December. Toby Carvery, Middlemoor, Exeter. 2 courses for £10.49 or 3 courses for £13.99. 10.30am start with coffee and meeting then 12.15pm lunch. Please bring a gift for the secret Santa (£2-£5 in value) and a Christmas hat. Seasonal fun and games encouraged! Please contact Mandy Heggadon ASAP on 07763455586 to book.
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Christmas Coffee Morning
The Mid and East team would like to invite you to our Christmas Coffee Morning from 10am-12pm on 7th December 2018 at The Flying Pickle Deli, 40 Gold Street, Tiverton, Devon, EX16 6PY. Please call or text Mags on 07970345771 or email her to let us know if you can make it!
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Christmas Lunch
The Mid and East Devon team would like to invite you to our Christmas lunch from 12-2.30pm, 11th December 2018 at Katie Ranft's house.
Please call or text Denise on 07989996073 or email and let us know if you can make it.
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Christmas Support Group buffet
The South fostering team have their carers Christmas Support group with a buffet lunch on Thursday 13th December at Colebrook Centre, Plympton, Plymouth from 10.30am-1.30pm.
Please email Frances or Sharon to confirm that you'll be attending.
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Information Regarding Training Courses
As most of you are aware, we have waiting lists for a lot of the training courses we run. If, for any reason, you need to cancel your place on a course please could you let us know as soon as possible; by either emailing or phoning us on 01392 382377 to let us know. Hopefully we will then be able to offer the space to someone else. Can we also take this opportunity to remind you that we will send out an email confirming if you do/don't have a place on a training course. Please do not just turn up as this affects our numbers and then could impinge on the successful delivery of the training.
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Training Manual
For the 2018 / 2019 Training Manual - please click here
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.
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11+ Support Group
Tuesday 22ndJanuary - Karen Gold Manager – Missing Persons Unit Wednesday 27th February Wednesday 27th March – Speaker TBC Tuesday 23rd April Wednesday 29th May –Thursday 20th June – Speaker TBC Tuesday 16th July Wednesday 25th September - Speaker TBC Thursday 31st October Tuesday 3rd December – Speaker TBC
Under 11s Support Group
28th January
25th February
25th March
Further dates to be organised.
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Support Groups
Please click here for the Support Groups Calendar.
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Fostering Devon Key Contacts
Strategy Group Members
Peer Guides
Devon Duty
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
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