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/