Kasper Fostering has achieved the highest possible accreditation for a fostering organisation - the coveted ‘OUTSTANDING ACROSS ALL AREAS’ rating - awarded by Ofsted!

We have just received our Ofsted report following an inspection in July last year, and the wait has been worth it… Praising the support given to foster carers and improving outcomes for looked after children and young people, the Ofsted inspector found Kasper to be “exceptional, with significant elements of their work exemplary.”

The Ofsted report highlights close and effective relationships between staff and foster carers, who view the agency as a ‘supportive extended family due to the emotional and practical support they receive.’

Young people in foster placements with Kasper are also consulted by Ofsted as part of the inspection. The report captures some of their feedback on the service, including ‘my carers treat me like one of the family’, ‘there is room for my graduation photo on my carer’s wall’, and ‘if I need help or am worried about anything, I talk to my foster carers and they help me.’

The report further adds that agency has a comprehensive understanding of the individual needs of children - and is able to recruit, prepare, assess, train and support a range of skilled foster carers to meet those needs.

The report states the ‘agency’s assessment, support and training of carers is excellent’; and a social worker also commented, “If I need to place another young person in foster care this [agency] would be my first choice.”
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Founding Director Mac Ornsby said, “Providing a quality service, not only to children in our care but also to the foster parents looking after them and the staff who support them, is at the very top of our agenda.”

“We are hoping that anyone out there considering becoming a foster carer might look at the feedback Ofsted has given us and come forward... Couples, families, and single people – we need a wide variety of carers from all different backgrounds and cultures to provide a safe, loving home for children and young people across the region.”

Kasper provides a wide range of short and long term foster placements, including those for adolescents, sibling groups, parent and child placements and children with complex needs. We are not-for-profit, child-centred, and invest all our resources into young peoples’ futures. Talk to us about becoming a foster carer - you could work with an outstanding agency to change a child’s future too.

For more information on becoming a foster carer, or to find out more about Kasper, call 01227 275985.

To view the agency’s Ofsted report online, please click here.

Source:
http://www.kasperfostering.org/news/ofsted-awards-kasper-fostering-highest-possible-rating/

We are absolutely delighted to announce that following our inspection by OFSTED in July, Kasper Fostering has been awarded OUTSTANDING – the highest possible accreditation for a fostering organisation.  

Praising the support given to foster carers and improving outcomes for looked after children and young people,OFSTED involved staff, foster carers and children in the inspection - also interviewing many external professionals associated with the Agency - and their feedback was excellent.

Registered Manager Lin Redman said, “I am over the moon. We have worked so hard as a team to implement recommendations from OFSTED following our last inspection – and to have our brilliant work recognised in this way is absolutely fantastic.”

“This puts us amongst a handful of fostering providers nationwide to be awarded outstanding – and proves that when we say we support our foster families and young people well, we really do!”
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Ofsted is running behind schedule at this very busy time of year, and our report will be published in January for everyone to see.

Source:
​http://www.kasperfostering.org/news/kasper-fostering-is-outstanding!!!/

While many families fleeing political, ethnic or religious conflict in war-torn nations arrive in the UK together, a great many unaccompanied children and young people arrive here completely on their own.

These young people may have both witnessed and experienced traumatic events that many of us cannot even imagine. Not least being separated from parents, loved ones and the familiarity of their home country to embark on a perilous life-threatening journey to reach European shores.

Refugees welcome

The UK government is now responding to public calls to provide homes for refugees who risk their lives escaping tyranny and violence, pledging to help more mums, dads and kids find safety in Britain.

Here in Kent and the South East, many groups fuelled by 'people power' are collecting and distributing humanitarian aid and vital supplies to those at the Jungle refugee camps in Calais - with overwhelming responses from the public to donate. Others are putting posters in windows making it clear that 'refugees are welcome' in their home.

There are many wonderful ways to offer your help and support to this tragic mass displacement of people; and becoming a foster carer is one of them.

Children seeking asylum

Children and young people arriving in the UK alone to seek asylum, often with nothing and no-one, need a safe, loving and stable home environment.

Beyond the trauma they have already experienced, unaccompanied children arriving in the UK are unlikely to speak English, or have any concept of fostering and family customs in the UK.

The role of the foster carer is to provide that safe, secure place so that the right support and services can be identified; as well as developing communication skills to support children in everyday living - and as they try to come to terms with their emotional and psychological distresses.

Making a better life

Kasper Fostering is currently assessing a foster family who, because of their own early life experiences, identify closely with caring for young asylum seeking children. Both parents experienced having to leave their country of origin under difficult circumstances, to start again in a foreign country.

Their motivation to foster unaccompanied children is clear, "We see, and have seen firsthand, so much destruction in the world, and lack of care for other human beings. We just want to help a young person who has experienced such hardship make a better life and achieve as best they can."

As well as sound motivations, and at least one spare bedroom, ideal qualities in people interested in fostering refugee children may include:

• those who have experience working with traumatised and vulnerable groups
• language skills and non-verbal communication, as well as experience working with interpreters
• living in areas with strong community links and resources for ethnic minority groups
• knowledge of the asylum seeking process, human rights and the UK education system

Making a difference

Foster carers are resilient and dedicated, ordinary people who make an amazing difference to transform the lives of vulnerable children. They provide safe, caring and loving homes that give children security, stability and the chance to develop and thrive.

Our foster carers receive from £412 per week per child, enabling carers to fully meet the needs and expenses of the young person placed. We provide round-the-clock support from highly experienced social workers, and specialist training to work therapeutically with young people.

A team of support is also put in place around the child and foster family, including an English tutor, access to interpreters and local services.

Kasper Fostering is an outstanding agency (Ofsted, 2015), not-for-profit and child-centred. We provide loving families for vulnerable children in need, and invest all our resources in their futures.

Talk to us about becoming a foster carer: You could change a young person's future, and give children the chance to be children.

Call our friendly team on 01227 275985 to find out more today.

Source:
http://www.kasperfostering.org/news/fostering-traumatised-refugee-children-we-need-more-carers-to-help/

Kasper is hosting a best practice conference for foster carers, social work professionals, early help and virtual school staff on 20th October 2015.

Expert speakers Alex Hassett, Betsy de Thierry and James McAllister from the Institute for the Recovery from Childhood Trauma (IRCT) will deliver a conference learning programme that explores:

> Understanding the trauma continuum, your role and where you fit - what works for whom?

> Relationships and brain development

> The impact of trauma and neglect on the developing brain

> The difference between therapy and a therapeutic environment

> The role of the school in supporting recovery for traumatised children

> The role of joint working in promoting recovery

Alex Hassett is a Principal Lecturer and Senior Consultant in the Salomons Centre of Applied Psychology at Canterbury Christ Church University. Alex offers consultancy to local authorities, the health sector and voluntary organisations around issues related to children and young people’s mental health. He also develops and delivers training to practitioners in the areas of young people’s emotional wellbeing and mental health and relationship building.

Betsy de Thierry first qualified as a counselor and primary teacher in 1994 and has worked in these fields since that time. She trains a wide variety of people including psychotherapists, police, teachers and people from different professional disciplines in the children’s workforce. She travels around the globe teaching and training professionals in working with the traumatised. Betsy inspires, encourages, equips and educates the groups who attend her training and the feedback is evident of her success in supporting and helping those who care.

James McAllister is a Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist and works creatively with children who have experienced early developmental trauma (abuse and/or neglect). He promotes the benefits of creative therapies (e.g. art, music, sandplay, clay) where the child can experience repetitive, rewarding relational activities which can heal the traumatised brain.

To register your place at the conference, please visit Eventbrite.

“Our mission is to ensure that recovery from trauma is available to all children”
www.irct.org.uk

 Source:
http://www.kasperfostering.org/news/kasper-hosts-working-across-the-trauma-continuum-training-conference/

You may have seen our Greatest Moments in Fostering memories on our Facebook page and Twitter feed using the hashtag #FCF2015... hopefully inspiring the next generation of foster carers, and reminding those who already foster what an amazing job they do.

We shared these memories to celebrate Foster Care Fortnight™ - the Fostering Network's annual campaign to raise the profile of fostering - showcasing the commitment, passion and dedication of foster carers across the country. Here's a round-up of the final week's memories our foster carers and staff have shared.

Source:
http://www.kasperfostering.org/news/our-greatest-moments-in-fostering-part-ii/

You may have seen our Greatest Moments in Fostering memories on our Facebook page and Twitter feed using the hashtag #FCF2015... hopefully inspiring the next generation of foster carers, and reminding those who already foster what an amazing job they do.

We're sharing these memories to celebrate Foster Care Fortnight™ - the Fostering Network's annual campaign to raise the profile of fostering - showcasing the commitment, passion and dedication of foster carers across the country. Here's some of the memories our foster carers and staff have shared - enjoy! We'll be posting more this week.

Kasper Fostering is an active member of local and national foster care Forums which aim to share, develop and maintain best practice and up-to-date knowledge between fostering service providers.

The Agency has been a member of the Kent and Medway Forum for independent fostering providers since 2002. It was originally set up in 2000, and some 30 Kent and Medway fostering agencies are now represented within the group.

At the Forum's latest event in April, Kasper Fostering Registered Manager Lin Redman was unanimously voted in as the group's new Vice Chair. Forum Chair Ian Dixon, CEO and Registered Manager at Xcel 2000 Fostercare Services, said of the news,

"I am delighted that Lin has been unanimously elected as Vice Chair of the Kent and Medway IFP Forum. The Forum is the most positive and proactive across the UK and Lin has been instrumental in supporting the development of it. I have absolute confidence in Lin’s ability to manage the demands of being a Vice Chair, in both local and National meetings, whilst representing the IFPs as a whole and promoting the incredible work we do."

The Kent and Medway IFP Forum exists under the auspices of Fostering Network and is one of eight Forums across the UK. The chairs of each Forum attend the National Steering Group once a quarter bringing together national issues and feedback relating to each regional area.

As Vice Chair, Lin will continue to focus on working together in partnership with Local Authorities and other agencies within the Children's Services sector to raise standards "I was invited to stand for the role by the Chair and am delighted to have been voted in by Forum members."

"I also chair the best practice group which was set up as a sub group of the Forum to work on specific projects on behalf of the sector. The best practice group has been asked to look at a variety of aspects - including the missing from care protocols and procedures, to giving consideration to the best ways of preventing and managing the most vulnerable children who are at risk of CSE."

The Forum in Kent is the most active, positive and productive across the UK and has been asked on numerous occasions to ‘share its secret’. As Ian Dixon surmises, "It’s easy; like-minded people who are committed to best practice and not afraid to discuss difficult topics as competitors. This has come about through the consistency of the group, the Best Practice Group and the supportive relationships that have developed over time."

Source:
http://www.kasperfostering.org/news/kasper-manager-voted-in-as-kent-medway-vice-chair!/

Kasper Fostering is delighted to announce that we are now proud members of the Fostering through Social Enterprise consortium. As one of 14 charitable and not-for-profit fostering agencies in the UK, Kasper is thrilled to be part of a group that promotes good practice, shares ethical values and puts excellent child care before profit.

What is Fostering through Social Enterprise (FtSE)?

The Fostering through Social Enterprise consortium was established in 2007. The group represents the views, perspectives and experience of 14 charitable and non-profit fostering agencies whose members provide high quality foster care over 2,000 children in care of all ages across the UK.

FtSE’s aim and role

FtSE’s main goal is to promote the elimination of discrimination against children in care. The consortium has a lobbying function that aims to advocate for children in respect of regulation as well as representing its membership at central government level.

FtSE Charter

To promote the elimination of discrimination against children in care, we will:

• Ensure any surplus raised by our membership organisations are re-invested into supporting children in placement and beyond
• Offer transparency in our dealings with all stakeholders
• Promote good practice networking and support each organisation within the membership
• Promote Fostering Through Social Enterprise through lobbying

For children and young people, we will:

• Respect them as individuals recognising individual difference
• Ensure the matching and safety of young people remain at the forefront of our work ensuring their voices are heard and understood
• Care and advocate for them until they are ready for independence and beyond
• Develop the potential of each child whether they are placed on a long- or short-term basis

Read the full FtSE Charter on the consortium’s website. Member agencies are:

• Action for Children
• Barnardo’s 
• The Caldecott Foundation
• The Children’s Family Trust
• Community Foster Care
• Father Hudson’s New Routes Fostering
• Foster Care Co-operative
• Integrated Services Programme (ISP)
• Parents And Children Together (PACT)
• St Christopher’s 
• Supported Fostering Services
• TACT
• Team Fostering

Source:
http://www.kasperfostering.org/news/proud-members-of-fostering-through-social-enterprise/