FosterTalk is a not-for-profit organisation providing high quality independent advice and support to foster carers and their families throughout the UK. Part of the Martin James group of companies, FosterTalk is currently supporting 20,000 fostering families through its comprehensive membership package. It also delivers Fosterline England on behalf of the Department for Education, offering advice, support and information to foster carers and prospective foster carers via an interactive website and free to use helpline. On July 14, the government announced in a written statement that most of the amendments introduced to the Adoption and Children [Coronavirus] [Amendment] Regulations 2020 are no longer required. However, these legal provisions will remain in place until September 25, and it is stated that some of the amendments may be extended beyond this date. Since the introduction of these amendments, FosterTalk have been concerned that rather than strengthening the core duty of safeguarding children in care, the flexibility of these regulations may have the opposite effect. Concerns centre around the fact that the amendments relax some of the statutory duties to be carried out by fostering services and presented potential safeguarding risks for both children in care and foster carers. FosterTalk has acknowledged that the government’s intention is that amendments are to be used in exceptional circumstances. However, it also believes that proper planning removes the need for the majority of amendments being implemented. For example, FosterTalk highlighted that existing legislation already allowed for panels to be conducted virtually with a full complement of members, but the amendment allows for a reduction to three panel members and also, if deemed necessary, removal of the need to hold a panel altogether. This reduction in panel numbers means that assessments for carers and adopters can be approved with reduced rigour. There has also been a relaxation in the timescales for the production of a placement plan and care plan from five days to “when reasonably practical”; emergency placements can last for six months; there is no requirement for temporary foster carers to have a connection with the child; all of which leaves the foster carer and child at potential risk. The concerns have also been echoed by other organisations. Harvey Gallagher the chief executive of the National Association of Fostering Providers [NAFP] highlighted his organisation’s concerns in an article published in Community Care back in April and was present alongside FosterTalk at a recent discussion regarding the use of the amendments with the DfE. Children’s rights charity Article 39 has also been granted a judicial review challenging the legality of the amendments, stating that many of the changes made under the new secondary legislation had been seen before, under 2016 proposals to allow councils to opt out of some duties, which were heavily criticised at the time and then withdrawn by government. In response, FosterTalk has undertaken a survey to explore the impact of these amendments on its members and to better understand the ways in which the amendments have been used, with a view to presenting their findings to the Department for Education. In a report accompanying the survey’s findings, FosterTalk’s managing director Steve Stockley commented: “There is no question that foster families have faced exceptional circumstances and often been forced into making decisions in the absence of other professionals and social workers during the lockdown period. “Foster carers’ lives and the lives of children in care have been impacted upon and although the minister’s statement said the amendments were to be used to overcome exceptional circumstances, some of our foster carers have expressed concerns that the amendments have been used inappropriately or misinterpreted at best. “For example, while social workers had been advised not to make home visits or undertake face to face contact with children or families, we have been made aware of foster carers being forced to travel over 150 miles to make introductions with adoptive families, forced into attending family contacts, placing themselves and their families at risk, while social workers were following advice not to make face to face statutory visits.” Results of the Survey FosterTalk sent two surveys out to members to gauge how many fostering services had used the amended provisions and the affect upon foster carers where they had been used. Both surveys asked similar questions but framed from the perspective of the target audience. Fostering Services It is important to stress that the response to FosterTalk’s surveys reflect the views of those fostering services that chose to respond to the request for information. FosterTalk received 59 responses from fostering services. Of those fostering services that have made use of the provisions it is clear that they have been selective in the amendments used. There are some provisions that have proven to be beneficial to both the foster carers and the fostering service and it is these that need to be considered for extension after September 25. Fostering services have strongly been in agreement that with the appropriate preparation, the majority of amendments were either not required or necessary. 45 per cent of responding services indicated that they had made use of provisions outlined in the amendments, while 55 per cent did not. Detailing their reasoning as to why they believed the amendments were unnecessary, fostering services noted the following:
This runs contrary to the belief that fostering services had called for the amendments to be implemented. With the amendments, the potential to remove independent panels has raised concerns and potential safeguarding issues for looked after children. Although this removal of panels is minimal from the responses FosterTalk received, the risk would be amplified if they remain in place post September. One independent fostering service commented: “Through the temporary regulations, the independent panels which approve foster carers have become optional. This means that an assessment of a foster carer can proceed straight to the decision maker for approval. As an independent fostering agency, this would ultimately have a positive impact from a business perspective as speedy approvals could lead to more placements. However, our agencies view is that this is a retrograde step in terms of safeguarding children, as it removes a layer of scrutiny for these highly important decisions on the suitability of people in whom we will be entrusting the care of vulnerable children and young people. We are taught that a holistic approach is needed in securing better outcomes for children and young people. The diversity of expertise in panels supports this theory, and, to remove this, would fall short of promoting better outcomes for foster children. “We feel that a combination of the amendments would potentially culminate in a greater risk. If we take the temporary medical self-declaration by prospective foster carers in the assessment process. “The relaxed regulations provide for fostering applicants to be assessed and approved without a full medical report under the proviso that one is obtained as soon as is possible. A medical report on prospective foster carers is needed to ascertain the applicant’s emotional stability and physical health to prevent children being placed in a volatile environment. Approving foster carers with a temporary self-declaration on their health and without a full in-depth report from their GP places an additional layer of risk The emotional, mental and physical health of a prospective foster carer is a crucial part of the Form F assessment and we do not take short cuts when it comes to safeguarding children and young people. “In addition to the relaxed fostering regulations, DBS guidelines have also been amended during the Covid-19 period. The amended guidelines state that if a fostering applicant or adult member of the household has a DBS from a social care setting which was completed within the last three years, then this can be used by the fostering services. This again adds another layer of risk and undermines safeguarding of children, as an applicant could have had a conviction after the date of the last DBS.” Stockley commented: “On their own these risks present significant questions but when placed together the sum of all their parts could be devastating.” Survey responses from foster carers FosterTalk also hoped to establish a holistic view of the impact of the amendments and how they were affecting foster carers themselves. The organisation commented that it had received an increase in enquiries to its support services with foster carers expressing anxieties and seeking advice on good practice. 1,600 foster carers were included in the survey to help formulate a response. 53 per cent were part of an independent fostering agency, 44 per cent worked for their local authority and three per cent worked for the Children’s Trust. Of those carers, a majority of 59 per cent indicated they were unsure whether their service had used any of the amendments. Meanwhile, 38 per cent reported that their services had, with a mere three per cent indicating that their services had not done so. The responses seem to indicate that foster carers have used their resilience and maintained their fostering status quo with the majority of foster carers not knowing if the situations they have faced are actually within the amendments or not. It highlights that foster carers adapt and carry on, putting the wellbeing of the children they look after at the heart of what they do. FosterTalk’s previous survey, conducted with the Martin James Foundation, explored the mental health of foster carers and from the enquiries received through FosterTalk and Fosterline, indicate it is without question that fostering has experienced massive changes during the Covid-19 pandemic. Yet, the response to the survey seems that foster carers have been unfazed by the changes and continued to put children first. 33 per cent of those surveyed welcomed another child or young person into their home during the pandemic, and from those foster carers that welcomed children, just 40 per cent received a placement plan at the time of the child’s arrival. 21 per cent had still not received the plan at the time the survey was taken. One of the major amendments that foster carers have experienced relates to statutory visits taking place during the pandemic, with over 70 per cent of respondents reporting that visits were conducted virtually, compared to just over ten per cent saying that they had been conducted in person with social distancing in place. Stockley said: “The merits of virtual visits and supervisions should be evaluated with a view to retain the provision post September. A mixed balance of virtual and face to face visits would complement busy schedules of both social workers and foster carers and contribute to a more efficient way of completing statutory requirements.” But what does the future hold? The government has told councils that most exemptions from children's social care duties introduced in response to the coronavirus pandemic are no longer required. However, children’s minister Vicky Ford has said that the laws will remain in place until the end of September as planned and councils can still relax their duties to vulnerable children when they have “strong justification” to do so. Some restrictions may also be extended beyond September, the government has confirmed. In a written parliamentary statement, Ford said that the emergency legislation was brought in during the pandemic in anticipation of councils finding it impossible to meet their duties, due to staff shortages and sickness. In the parliamentary statement, it references protecting vulnerable children has been at the heart of the government’s response to the virus. These regulations formed part of that response, alongside keeping schools and other settings open for vulnerable children, substantial additional investment, and additional support direct to children, young people, and their families. The government states it has always been clear that these temporary amendments should be used only when absolutely necessary and only if consistent with the overarching safeguarding and welfare duties that have remained in place. What has been clearly evident in the communications FosterTalk have had with fostering services and foster carers alike is that a new way of working has arisen from the Covid-19 crisis. Forward thinking fostering services and foster carers alike have adapted and created positive engagements in the support of children in care. The initial evidence received by the Martin James Foundation has shown that placements were more stable with less breakdowns in the early months of lockdown. Stockley said: “If we truly want to place the child at the centre of their own care planning then we should look to conduct planning in an environment that they are more comfortable in rather than move children and young people into what we expect. “The use of virtual platforms has proven successful for conducting panels, training and supervisions. Conducting everything in the virtual space would increase potential safeguarding risks however a balanced combination and forward thinking could improve the engagement and availability of both foster carers and children in care. “While we would not wish to see all the amendments adopted nor dismissed the approach should be measured. Many will be familiar with the work Cornerstone produce with their VR programme and have evidenced that people trained within the VR environment report 340 per cent more confidence to employ what they have learnt. There is no reason why we could not apply this technology into the care planning for our looked after children.” Alison Alexander, CEO of The Cornerstone Partnership, added: “We now teach children through Zoom and so why can we not have a weekly check in with children in care using tech. Imagine the hours of travel time no longer needed and the increased flexibility – social workers and young people can meet virtually over breakfast or at gaps in young people’s day. It’s now time that children’s services are given approval, by the DfE, to make the leap and join the rest of the world in delivering their business using tech.” On July 16, the Department for Education opened a consultation on the amendments with a proposal to retain 3 main areas: virtual contact/visits; medical reports; and Ofsted inspection frequency, with the remaining amendments reverting to the pre-amendment situation. The consultation closes on August 5. Stockley concluded: “This is to be welcomed and in the next round of discussions we need to ensure our planning is capable of flexing to allow for our children returning to school, potential of local lockdowns, further reduction of social distancing, and any onset of a second wave entering the winter. “Most importantly we need to ensure safeguarding of children and young people is placed at the heart of all planning in social care. Children at risk in the community have not had the safeguards of teachers or other responsible adults looking for signs of neglect and abuse. We, in the fostering sector, fully expect there to be an increase in the numbers of children entering care once schools re-open and statutory visits resume.” Source: www.theparliamentaryreview.co.uk Full Time - 37.5 hours per week Salary banding - £35,181.15 to £40,815.00 per annum Based in North Shields, with flexible working across the North East region. Please note we do not operate a performance related reward system or automatic incremental payments
Team Fostering is an ethical not for profit fostering agency with a strong reputation and track record for providing high quality, value for money fostering placements for looked after children. We pride ourselves on our values and behaviours and we expect our staff to commit to and demonstrate these in their everyday work. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced and qualified social worker to join our successful fostering team as a result of an internal promotion. You will have the knowledge and skills to undertake the full range of Supervising Social Worker tasks, including supervising foster carers, working with other professionals, report writing and attendance at meetings. Not only will you have excellent communication and interpersonal skills you will also be hardworking, positive, and motivated to improve outcomes for looked after children. This post will be based in our North Shields office however you will be required to work flexibly across the North East region. The role will involve out of hours duty work. The successful candidate will have experience of Family Placement work either in the Local Authority or an IFA setting. Informal enquiries regarding the post can be made to Tracey Bulley (Team Manager) on 07900 582684. To apply, please complete an Application Form and Equal Opportunities Form (available below) and return via email to hr@teamfostering.co.uk no later than 9am on 20 August 2020. Please note Team Fostering does not accept CV’s. All posts require Enhanced DBS Disclosure Closing date: 9am on Thursday 20 August 2020 Interviews will be held Monday 7 September 2020 Please note if you are shortlisted for interview we will contact you via the email you have provided. Please ensure you check your emails regularly. Thank you for your interest in Team Fostering and taking the time to apply for this position. Full details and application documents here Location: North & Mid Wales Salary : £33,561 PA (pro rata) + £1,500 Out of Hours Allowance PA + £500 Home Working Allowance PA (pro rata) Closing Date: 31/08/2020 Interview Date: 01/09/2020 Hours: 17.5 hours per week TACT, the UK’s largest fostering and adoption charity now has over 500 dedicated carers, who look after over 600 children and young people across the country. Our reputation and growth rests upon our strength in providing successful placements. As a charity, we do not have shareholders who receive profits and we invest all of our surplus income into service, staff, carers, and children’s development.
Our vision is to provide better lives for our children and young people. This is an exciting opportunity to be a Senior Supervising Social Worker within a national non-profit making organisation at a local level. We are interested in individuals for whom quality of service is paramount and in those who share our commitment to working in partnership with children and their foster carers in the development of the agency. We have a very experienced social work team working throughout the whole of Wales, this role will involve working across the North Wales area. You will also work closely with our Senior Supervising Social worker covering Mid Wales. The overall purpose of the Senior Supervising Social Worker role is to recruit, assess, train and support a diverse range of foster carers and placement. The successful applicant will initially have responsibility for a small caseload while working locally to increase our carer base over the coming months. The role will also involve developing our relationships with partner agencies in the area including with a residential provider based in North Wales. TACT offer an excellent employee benefits package including:
Please see the Job Information Pack for further information. Fluency in Welsh is desirable and we very much welcome applications from Welsh speakers and job share applicants. Closing: Monday, 31st August 2020 Interviews: Friday, 11th September 2020 (via Microsoft Teams) Safeguarding is everyone’s business and TACT believe that only the people with the right skills and values should work in social work. As part of TACT’s commitment to safeguarding, we properly examine the skills, experience, qualifications and values of potential staff in relation to our work with vulnerable young children. We use rigorous and consistent recruitment approaches to help safeguard TACT’s young people. All our staff are expected to work in line with TACT’s safeguarding policies. TACT does not accept unsolicited CVs from external recruitment agencies nor accept the fees associated with them. TACT reserve the right to close the vacancy once we have received sufficient applications, so we advise you to submit your application as early as possible to prevent disappointment. Full details and application documents here Location: Peterborough Leaving Care Office Contract type: Permanent Hours: 37 Salary : £17,316 - £24,493 Closing Date: 8 September 2020 Interview Date: 23 September 2020 Almost all young people in care leave children's homes and foster care by the time that they're 18, compared to their peers who stay at home until their mid-20s. From April 2020 Lincolnshire Leaving Care Service supports these young people from the age of 16 to their mid-20s, to make a successful move to living in the community. Practical and emotional assistance is offered to young people who may not have any other source of support.
As a Leaving Care Worker, you will be required to visit our services in Lincolnshire and Peterborough. We would expect you to actively demonstrate Barnardo's Basis and Values and Equality & Diversity Code of Conduct in all areas of work: Respecting the unique worth of every person: Encouraging people to fulfil their potential. You will need to have some experience of work with children and young people but this does not have to have been gained in a formal employment setting. Other duties include:
When completing your application please refer to your skills knowledge and experience in relation to the Person Specification and Job Description. This should be done with an understanding of the context of the service described. About Barnardo's At Barnardo's we believe in children – no matter who they are, what they have done or what they have been through. Please read about our basis and values following the link below. You will be asked questions relating to them as part of the recruitment process for this role. Barnardo's is committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce for staff and volunteers. We actively encourage applications from disabled, Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic and male candidates as they are under-represented within Barnardo's. Our basis and values Full details and application documents here Location: Lincolnshire Leaving Care Service – Lincoln Contract type: Permanent Hours: 37 Salary: £27,814 - £33,358 Closing Date: 31 August 2020 Interview Date: 9 September 2020 Barnardo's work in partnership with Lincolnshire County Council to deliver its Leaving Care Service for young people aged 16-25.
We have been inspected by Ofsted and have achieved an ‘Outstanding' grade for the service we provide. Following a recent re-commissioning of the service we are looking to recruit a Project Worker to work across the region with our teams based in Lincoln, Louth, Peterborough and Sleaford. We also have some Care Leavers based out of County and their voice is equally as important in relation to service development and delivery. Initial Specific Responsibilities Within Lincolnshire the Signs of Safety model is used across County as an assessment tool and we are looking for a champion to help embed this across the Leaving Care Service. Participation is key within out service and the successful candidate will build on the work we have already started to increase the participation offer we currently have in place for young people. We are looking for an imaginative, creative worker who has a passion to ensure young people's voices are heard. We have an established quality assurance framework within the service and we expect the new post holder to co-ordinate our audit's across service building on the work that's already in place. Supplementary Information
When completing your application please refer to your skills knowledge and experience in relation to the Person Specification, Job Description and Additional Information document. This should be done with an understanding of the context of the service described. About Barnardo's At Barnardo's we believe in children – no matter who they are, what they have done or what they have been through. Please read about our basis and values following the link below. You will be asked questions relating to them as part of the recruitment process for this role. Barnardo's is committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce for staff and volunteers. We actively encourage applications from disabled, Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic and male candidates as they are under-represented within Barnardo's. Our basis and values Full details and application documents here Circa: £35,300 + Telephone On Call Allowance Department/Division: Wales Location: North Wales Contract Type: Permanent Full Time Closing Date: 19 August 2020 Permanent, Full Time working 37 hours per week Monday to Friday with an element of flexibility required to work the out of hours telephone on call service on a rota basis
Giving children and young people the foundations they need to thrive. The role Successful therapeutic fostering service based in South Wales is now looking to expand its model and approach in the north Wales area. To bring stability and well-being to children within the Looked After Children's system. The AFC fostering service provides safe, stable foster homes for vulnerable children and young people. As a Fostering Social Worker for our sector leading Fostering Wales service you'll train and support Foster Parents to provide stable family homes to young people who have survived trauma so a therapeutic approach is a vital part of our work. You will play a key role in the establishment of this service in North Wales. We are looking for someone with advanced Social Work practice skills to establish the service in the North Wales area. This is an exciting opportunity that blends development and therapeutic Social Worker practice. You will make a difference by:
You will need:
The way we work We work to make sure every child and young person has the love, support and opportunity they need to reach their potential. If you share the same vision, we want you to join our team. Have a look at our behaviours and values to understand more about the way we work here. Rewards We want our employees to feel valued and rewarded for the vital work they do. When you work with us, we'll recognise your efforts with generous annual leave, a comprehensive employer-matched pension scheme and a range of deals and discounts on our dedicated benefits portal. Find out more about our exclusive Action for Children benefits here. For safe and happy childhoods At Action for Children, we protect and support children and young people, providing practical and emotional care and support, ensuring their voices are heard, and campaigning to bring lasting improvements to their lives. Last year, we helped more than 387,000 children and families across the UK. For more information, please contact Fatima Matin on 07918773592 or email recruitmentservice@actionforchildren.org.uk Interviews to be held on 2nd of September. We are committed to safer recruitment practices to protect our service users; therefore, all applicants are expected to have an understanding of and commitment to safeguarding best-practice. Action for Children is passionate about promoting equality, valuing diversity and working inclusively. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons particularly people with Disabilities and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic applicants, as these groups are currently under-represented in our workforce. Full details and application documents here Casnewydd, Cymru Oddeutu £35,300 y flwyddyn + lwfans ar gyfer bod ar gael dros y ffôn Parhaol, Amser llawn, 37 awr yr wythnos rhwng dydd Llun a dydd Gwener gydag elfen o hyblygrwydd i ddarparu gwasanaeth ffôn y tu allan i oriau swyddfa ar sail rota Gosod y sylfeini i blant a phobl ifanc ffynnu. Y rôl Mae gwasanaeth maeth llwyddiannus yn ne Cymru'n ymestyn ei fodel a'i ymagwedd i ogledd Cymru er mwyn sicrhau sefydlogrwydd a llesiant Plant sy'n Derbyn Gofal. Mae gwasanaeth maeth Gweithredu dros Blant yn darparu cartrefi maeth diogel a sefydlog i blant a phobl ifanc sy'n agored i niwed. Yn Weithiwr Cymdeithasol Maethu yn ein gwasanaeth arobryn Maethu Cymru, byddwch yn hyfforddi ac yn cefnogi Rhieni Maeth i ddarparu cartrefi teuluol sefydlog i bobl ifanc sydd wedi goroesi trawma, felly mae ymagwedd therapiwtig yn rhan allweddol o'n gwaith. Byddwch yn chwarae rôl allweddol wrth sefydlu'r gwasanaeth hwn yng ngogledd Cymru. Rydym yn chwilio am unigolyn sydd â sgiliau ymarfer Gwaith Cymdeithasol uwch i sefydlu'r gwasanaeth yng ngogledd Cymru. Mae hwn yn gyfle cyffrous sy'n cyfuno gwaith datblygu ag ymarfer Gwaith Cymdeithasol therapiwtig. Byddwch yn gwneud gwahaniaeth trwy:
Bydd angen arnoch:
Sut yr ydym yn gweithio Rydym yn gweithio i sicrhau bod pob plentyn a pherson ifanc yn derbyn y cariad, cymorth a chyfle sydd eu hangen er mwyn iddo gyrraedd ei botensial. Os ydych yn rhannu'r un weledigaeth, rydym am i chi ymuno â'r tîm. Cewch ddarllen rhagor yma am ein gwerthoedd a'n gweithredoedd i ddeall ein ffordd o weithio. Y Gwobrwyon Rydym am i'n staff deimlo eu bod yn cael eu gwerthfawrogi am y gwaith hanfodol a wnânt. Pan fyddwch yn gweithio gyda ni, byddwn yn cydnabod eich ymdrechion gyda gwyliau blynyddol hael, cynllun pensiwn cynhwysfawr lle mae'r cyflogwr yn cyfrannu'r un faint â chi, ac ystod o fargenion a disgowntiau trwy ein porth buddion. Cewch ragor o wybodaeth am fuddion Gweithredu dros Blant yma. Sicrhau plentyndod diogel a hapus Mae Gweithredu dros Blant yn diogelu a chefnogi plant a phobl ifanc, gan ddarparu gofal emosiynol a chymorth, gan sicrhau gwrando arnynt, a chan ymgyrchu dros welliannau hir-dymor yn eu bywydau. Y llynedd, bu i ni helpu dros 387,000 o blant a theuluoedd ledled y Deyrnas Unedig. Am ragor o wybodaeth, cysylltwch â Fatima Matin drwy ffonio 07918 773592 neu yn recruitmentservice@actionforchildren.org.uk Cynhelir y cyfweliadau ar 2 Medi. Rydym wedi ymrwymo i ymarfer recriwtio diogelach i ddiogelu defnyddwyr ein gwasanaethau. Disgwylir, felly, y bydd pob ymgeisydd yn deall ac yn ymrwymo i arfer gorau o ran diogelu. Mae Gweithredu dros Blant yn angerddol dros hyrwyddo ansawdd, gwerthfawrogi amrywiaeth a gweithio mewn modd cynhwysol. Rydym yn croesawu ceisiadau gan bawb sydd â'r cymwysterau perthnasol, yn arbennig pobl ag anabledd a phobl o gefndir Du, Asiaidd, ac o Gefndiroedd Ethnig Lleiafrifol, gan fod y grwpiau hyn wedi'u tangynrychioli yn ein gweithlu ar hyn o bryd. Manylion llawn a dogfennau cais yma There should be tailored transition arrangements for children in foster care when they head back to school, the Fostering Network has warned. The primary focus of the initial return of foster carers to school should be on students’ mental health and wellbeing, the charity states, after a survey they carried out found that almost eight in 10 children in foster care did not attend school during lockdown restrictions imposed in response to the Coronavirus pandemic. Chief executive of The Fostering Network, Kevin Williams, said: “The evidence shows that the education offer that children in foster care have received during lockdown has not been sufficiently tailored to their looked after status. The experience of educating during lockdown has brought to the fore the need for more individualised education plans for looked after children.” The survey found that 74 per cent of foster carers were unaware of any specific arrangements for children in care on returning to school. Many foster carers told the charity that there has been insufficient support tailored to the needs of looked after children. In England, 62 per cent of foster carers reported not receiving any support from their virtual school - the body with oversight of the statutory duty to promote the progress and educational achievement of children who are, or have been, in care. Just over one in three (36 per cent) foster carers stated that they had been provided with laptops or tablets to facilitate learning, and 14 per cent reported having had no individual contact from schools about the child in their care. However, lockdown had proved an opportunity for foster children and foster families strengthen their relationship, the survey found. Foster carers raised concerns about how the children would readjust when they go back to school and the requirements of the formal curriculum, the impact on their mental health, particularly in the context of pre-existing attachment and trauma issues, and how they would catch up socially and academically. Foster carers highlighted three forms of support they would like to see in place for the children in their care:
The Fostering Network says that foster carers are integral to the process of children returning to school. They are well placed to understand the child’s needs and feelings, and as the vast majority have been educating their children at home throughout this time, they will be essential in the dialogue with schools and other professionals. The report calls for:
Chief executive of The Fostering Network, Kevin Williams, said: “The transition back to school for all children is extremely important, but this is especially the case for many looked after children. Foster carers will be essential in the dialogue with schools and others involved in decision making for the education of children in foster care.” “We welcome the funding already announced by governments to support children as they return to school, but the funding requirements will need to be reviewed as children transition back to school. Additional funding must be provided, as necessary, to support children with their educational, emotional and social needs as part of a recovery curriculum,” he concluded. Source: www.willispalmer.com |
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