We celebrate our new chapter and charitable status with the appointment of Donna Jackman and Simon Egerton to our Board of Trustees, effective September 2023. And, we say goodbye to Elizabeth (Betty) Hutton who has stepped down from her role on our Board of Trustees. Established in 1999, The Foster Care Charity (formerly the Foster Care Co-operative) has been dedicated to placing children in nurturing family homes for more than two decades. As an independent not-for-profit foster care agency, The Foster Care Charity (FCC) operates with a commitment to reinvesting any surplus income. This approach ensures the provision of enhanced individual foster care support, facilitates the recruitment and training of additional foster carers, and helps contribute to the creation of stable, loving home environments for an increasing number of children. Our mission revolves around making a profound difference in the lives of children. We are unwavering in our commitment to providing the best possible fostering support, with the goal of fostering happiness and success. The appointment of Donna Jackman and Simon Egerton as Trustees marks a significant step forward for us. Donna’s extensive experience in strategic and operational leadership in Children and Family Services and Simon’s distinguished career as a Company Director, Magistrate and community leader align seamlessly with our charitable mission. “The Foster Care Charity is well known for being value driven and child centred, both aspects which resonate deeply with me. Along with my fellow Trustees, we are committed to helping make a real differences to children’s lives. The next chapter for the charity is going to be so innovative and I look forward to being involved,” said Donna Jackman, Trustee of The Foster Care Charity “The work of The Foster Care Charity is so important to the children and families it touches , I hope that my being a Trustee with the experience I can bring to the organisation will make that work all the more effective and successful,” said Simon Egerton, Trustee of The Foster Care Charity. Donna Jackman Simon Egerton Betty Hutton Elizabeth (Betty) Hutton, who played a pivotal role as an FCC Director and Company Secretary for the past 5 years helping in the transition from co-operative to charity status, is gratefully acknowledged for her dedicated service as she steps down from the Board of Trustees.
Betty says “So much positive change has taken place during my five years as part of the team of FCC, not least of all, our move to charity status. Although very saddened not to be in a position to continue, I have every confidence that, uAer excellent leadership and with the truly motivated workforce, together with existing and newly appointed Trustees, FCC is in a position for an exciting new phase. My friends at FCC are sure to keep me informed, so that I continue to share and enjoy the success story.” The Foster Care Charity is proud of its track record, with an average child placement length of over 3 years. With Donna and Simon joining our trusted board of advisers, we look forward to their invaluable contributions as we continue to pursue our organisation’s commitment to creating stable and nurturing environments for children across England and Wales. Source: https://fostercarecharity.org.uk/ if you are planning to give electronic gadgets to your children this year, or if you are simply aware of an increase of time spent online, check out these parent guides designed to help you keep kids safe in a digital world. “Online safety is when young people know who they can tell if they feel upset by something that has happened online.” Click The Title Below To Access Each Foster Parent Guide 1. A Parent’s Guide to Social Media 2. A Parent’s Guide to Gaming 3. A Parent’s Guide to Sharing Pictures 4. A Parent’s Guide to Online Influencers 5. A Parent’s Guide to Privacy Settings There are more online safety guides that foster carers and parents may find useful on the skips educational website. You can also find other support to help keep children safe online via the skips safety net site. If you are concerned with anything you or your child has seen or has been asked to do, ore guides Skips Safety Net offers sites to understand safe ways to seek support – find out more via this link: Skips Seek Support These guides were developed in collaboration with Home Office Prevent and West Midlands Police and Crime Commission as part of a vital way of keeping children safe online. Source: https://fostercarecharity.org.uk/ Salary: £46,927 – £50,726 per annum, pro rata* Location: Malvern, Worcestershire – Hybrid Working Hours: Part time – 22.5 – 25 hours per week (negotiable) Closing Date: 20th November 2023 Other Benefits Include: + 45p a mile travel, 33 days annual leave + bank holidays (pro rata), home working allowance, 10% employer contribution pension scheme.
FCC are excited to recruit an exceptional Finance Manager, who will be a key member of our management team, to join our successful charity. The role holder will work closely with the Senior Leadership Team and will be expected to be a strategic thinker, lead on key aspects of financial and resource planning and reporting, provide effective business partnering, analysis and decision support, and ensure that the finance team work as valued partners across the organisation in support of their work with foster carers and the children in their care. The Finance Manager, will provide leadership to the Finance team working as an enabler to the business, through ensuring effective practice and excellence in all areas based on our core values. The successful candidate will be a fully qualified accountant, with strategic overview, and operational delivery, of excellent practices in financial management. They will also be able to demonstrate collegiate leadership and management experience of a finance team, with a collaborative and flexible approach, be a strong team player, demonstrate excellent technical skills, and have strong experience of financial reporting and preparation of year end accounts. Ideally, but not essentially, the successful candidate will also have experience working within the charitable sector. FCC are a children’s charity, driven solely for the purpose of making a difference to children’s lives and place strong emphasise on our ‘people focused’ values. We seek to recruit the right person with the right skills and experience, with a flexible attitude to working hours, alongside someone who is able to demonstrate a commitment to our key values. Does this sound like you? If so, we would be delighted to hear from you. To discuss this role further, please contact: Barbara Bull – Head of HR/Deputy CEO, on 01684 892380. FCC is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children; applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the disclosures barring service. CVs will not be accepted; all applicants must complete an application form. FCC is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace, a place where we can all be ourselves and succeed on merit. Full details and application documents here Member News from The Foster Care Charity: Fostering with Birth Children? Advice for Parents13/10/2023
Becoming a foster parent isn’t something you decide on a whim—it’s a thoughtful journey. It’s important to gather the whole household together from the get-go, and it can feel even more significant when you consider how fostering might impact your own kids. Ensuring your biological children’s well-being is a top priority, but giving your foster child the best care possible is just as important. It might sound like a big task, but when done right, it’s truly rewarding. The impact of fostering on birth children can be both positive and negative, but research has shown that the good tends to outweigh the bad. Participants of a study claimed their experience as the biological child of a foster parent was ‘eye-opening’, and there was a general theme of feeling closer to their family because of it. Top Tips For Fostering With Birth Children Here our top tips for you to consider on your journey to becoming a parent and foster carer:
Remember, your children’s well-being is a top priority when fostering. With The Foster Care Charity, you’ll have a support system in place, including dedicated social workers and family-oriented activities. We’ve got your back at every step of your fostering journey, helping ensure a positive experience for your entire family. Source: https://fostercarecharity.org.uk/ News from FFP Member, The Foster Care Charity: Fostering with Birth Children? Advice for Parents.9/10/2023
Becoming a foster parent isn’t something you decide on a whim—it’s a thoughtful journey. It’s important to gather the whole household together from the get-go, and it can feel even more significant when you consider how fostering might impact your own kids. Ensuring your biological children’s well-being is a top priority, but giving your foster child the best care possible is just as important. It might sound like a big task, but when done right, it’s truly rewarding. The impact of fostering on birth children can be both positive and negative, but research has shown that the good tends to outweigh the bad. Participants of a study claimed their experience as the biological child of a foster parent was ‘eye-opening’, and there was a general theme of feeling closer to their family because of it. Top Tips For Fostering With Birth Children Here our top tips for you to consider on your journey to becoming a parent and foster carer:
Remember, your children’s well-being is a top priority when fostering. With The Foster Care Charity, you’ll have a support system in place, including dedicated social workers and family-oriented activities. We’ve got your back at every step of your fostering journey, helping ensure a positive experience for your entire family. Source: https://fostercarecharity.org.uk/ We are proud to announce from 1st October, 2023, The Foster Care Co-operative will transition to become The Foster Care Charity. This exciting development marks a pivotal moment in our journey to provide foster care and support to vulnerable children across England and Wales. The Foster Care Charity (registered number 1201143), is a charitable organisation with headquarters in Malvern, Worcestershire, dedicated to promoting the welfare of vulnerable children and young adults through foster care placements and relevant childcare services. Our primary objective is to support the needs and protect the welfare of children and young adults in foster care, those who have left the care system, and their caregivers by providing advice, support, and additional services. “We’re stepping into a new chapter as The Foster Care Charity. It’s an iconic evolution for our organisation,” said Sam Ram, CEO of The Foster Care Charity. “Our aim remains unwavering: to transform the lives of even more children and young people, all while staying true to our core values of being ambitious for children, morally driven, collaborative partners and fair and inclusive in all that we do.” Since 1999, The Foster Care Co-operative, has been operating as a not-for-profit foster care agency, actively placing children in loving family homes across Wales, the Midlands, North West England, Yorkshire, East Anglia, Bristol and the South West. As a registered charity, we will continue to focus on providing this care as well as prioritising providing 24/7 support, specialized training, and generous benefits and allowances for our foster carers. Importantly, any surplus income generated through our foster care contractual commitments, will, as it always has, be reinvested within our charitable organisation. Transitioning to The Foster Care Charity will also help extend our ability to access funding and enable us to provide much needed additional support for care experienced children and young people in 3 key areas: training and education; wellbeing; and the transition from care to independent living. With the launch of The Foster Care Charity, our vision remains clear: “To make a positive impact on children’s lives and enable them to achieve their full potential, have a sense of belonging, and grow as individuals.” We continue to be driven by the belief that every child deserves the chance to experience and benefit from being part of a loving, supportive family. We eagerly anticipate this exciting new journey as The Foster Care Charity, as we continue our work to help transform the lives of vulnerable children and young people across the UK. Together, with our cooperative spirit, we aim to create lasting and meaningful change. About The Foster Care Charity:
The Foster Care Charity (formerly The Foster Care Co-operative) is a registered charity dedicated to promoting the welfare of vulnerable children and young adults through foster care placements and related childcare services. We provide support, advice, and additional services to ease the needs and safeguard the welfare of children and young adults in foster care. Our mission is to make a positive impact on children’s lives, enabling them to achieve their full potential, have a sense of belonging, and grow as individuals. Source: https://www.fostercarecooperative.co.uk/ The UK Government has a pilot grant project to provide additional funding for looked-after children and care leavers at post-16. An additional £5 million has been made available to selected Local Authorities in England for the 2022-23 school year. Funds are there for schools to provide support for educational interventions, tuition or anything else that may be required to achieve the best possible outcomes. What is Pupil Premium Plus (PP+) At the heart of UK education policy is the mandate for every child to achieve their potential and enjoy learning – however, evidence shows that children from disadvantaged backgrounds face more difficulties in reaching their full potential at school. Pupil Premium (PP) and Pupil Premium Plus (PP+) are funding initiatives introduced to target disadvantaged pupils and level up the playing field. Pupil Premium Plus (PP+) Funding Virtual School Heads currently receive Pupil Premium Plus (PP+) funding of £2,410 per child in care, aged 4 to 15 (foster care or other care options). This is used to provide individual support that a child needs, as identified in their Personal Education Plan (PEP). This funding usually ceases when the child reaches the age of 16. Young people are then entitled to a bursary which is paid directly into their bank accounts which is usually used to fund travel expenses, food and resources for college. Find out more about Pupil Premium HERE Information on How to Spend PP+ HERE However, since September 2022 the government have provided a grant piloting additional funding for post-16 looked-after children and care leavers to a selection of local authorities. The extension runs until July 2023 and the total funding available for this period is £5m. This funding provides support in a similar way to how PP+ is used in schools to fund interventions, tuition or anything else that is required to achieve the best possible outcomes. Read the Department for Education PP+ Grant Determination Letter HERE Local Authorities participating in the pilot… Some of the Local Authorities include: Birmingham, Bradford, Bromley, Bury, Central Bedfordshire, Darlington, Derbyshire, Dudley, Gloucestershire, Hartlepool, Kirklees, Leeds, Lincolnshire, Liverpool, Manchester, Norfolk, North Yorkshire, Oxfordshire; Rochdale, Rotherham, Sheffield, Staffordshire, Trafford, Wirral, Worcestershire. If your foster children are looked after by any of these Local Authorities, and they currently attend sixth form or college, do check to see if there is opportunity to make use of the additional PP+ funding especially where you can see that there would be a real benefit for their future success. Help From Our Education Specialist Here at The Foster Care Co-operative we have our very own Education Specialist providing support to our Foster Carers in England and Wales. Part of the role is to liaise with Local Authorities, schools, colleges and virtual schools as and when needed. As an Education Specialist and Foster Carer Roxanne is in a unique position to provide help and support. She was an English teacher in secondary schools for 8 years, is an AQA GCSE English Language examiner and also a foster carer. “I track the attendance and attainment of our looked after children and young people. I also attend PEP & EHCP reviews, provide training both virtually and at foster carer support groups and provide advice and guidance via phone and email.” Source: www.fostercarecooperative.co.uk Have you thought about becoming a foster parent? Would you like to know more about the process to be a foster carer? Do you like the idea of helping children to have the best start in life? Do you have questions about fostering that you want to get answered? You are in the right place! Our team is holding an online Q&A event where you can find out more about fostering children in England and Wales. We are a not-for-profit, independent, ethical fostering agency supporting children and foster carers across the North West, Midlands, Yorkshire, East Anglia, South West and South Wales. Find out more about who we are and what we do on our website – or book yourself onto one of our online events and have an informal chat with our team. In the UK three-quarters of looked after children are cared for by foster families and foster carers play a vital role in transforming these children’s lives. But we need at least 6000 more foster parents in England to meet the growing need as we are seeing record numbers of children in care. Can you foster? Will you consider your options and take action to talk to us today? Can you foster? Will you consider your options and take action to talk to us today? Click this link to join our next online webinar and find out about the events happening near you where you can meet our team for a chat. If you are over 21, have room in your home and want to make a real difference to children in England and Wales we would love to speak with you. Source: https://www.fostercarecooperative.co.uk Member News: The Foster Care Co-operative - Fostering Infants? Get Safe Sleep Advice & Help17/3/2023
If you are a foster parent its good to be aware of the latest research into Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) which has shown that reducing certain parental and environmental factors such as co-sleeping can have a big impact on the incidence of SIDS. Parents and foster carers may be surprised to know that the association between co-sleeping and SIDS is greater with factors such as recent parental alcohol consumption, smoking or falling asleep with a baby on a chair/sofa. The Lullaby Trust provides life saving advice to help parents and carers to reduce the risk of SIDS. You can find a whole host of safer sleep advice including simple steps to take and informative videos, to help you have peace of mind that you are doing the right things to keep your baby safe. Check out topics such as
There is also a great section just for new and expectant dads and partners – Dads Zone. Also detailed advice on choosing what items your baby might need and the types of products you should avoid – Sleeping Products Guide. The information that the Lullaby Trust provides is based on strong scientific evidence and they recommend that the guidance is followed for all sleep periods, not just night time sleeping. The issue of co-sleeping is one of the most concerning areas. Despite many new parents/carers saying that they will never sleep with their infant, evidence suggests that up to 70-80% of UK infants at some time have co-slept with a parent during the first three months of life.
Co-sleeping on a sofa or armchair was identified as the most prevalent risk, with 40% of parents admitting to having done so and 25% having done so more than once. An adult falling asleep on a sofa or armchair with a baby increases the risk of SIDS by up to 50 times. Knowing more about these issues, gives parents and carers the opportunity to make changes and reduce the risks for babies in their care. Follow these links for more information to help you. Resources for Parents - Published by BASIS (Baby Sleep Info Source) NHS Information - Sudden Infant Death Syndrome SIDS New survey of over 3,400 new parents published by the Lullaby Trust shows that 9 in 10 parents co-sleep but less than half know how to reduce the risk of SIDS. Find out more via this link 2023 Co-Sleep Survey - The Lullaby Trust Source: www.fostercarecooperative.co.uk Member Job Opportunity: The Foster Care Co-operative - Senior Supervising Social Worker – Wales19/11/2022
Location: Cardiff Salary: £37,312 – £39,312 per annum (dependent on experience) Hours: Full Time, Monday-Friday 9am-5pm Closing Date: Monday 12th December 2022 + 45p a mile for travel, ‘out-of-hours’ payment £125 per week of duty,
32 days annual leave (incl bank holidays) & 10% employer contribution pension scheme We are seeking to recruit an experienced and enthusiastic SSW for our friendly team, working primarily from home. There will be involvement in recruiting, assessing, supervising and supporting Foster Carers to support us in maintaining our quality fostering service for looked after children. The role involves recruitment of foster carers, travel to the homes of our foster carers as required (which will at times involve travelling long distances), leading occasional projects, running and delivering training and support groups, and taking part in an ‘out-of-hours’ duty system (approximately 3-4 times a year). Applicants need to be able to take a flexible approach to working, have proven fostering experience (demonstrating significant experience of working within Children’s Services) and be able to demonstrate outstanding people, report writing, organisation and recording skills. Applicants must hold a Diploma or BA in Social Work (or equivalent Social Work qualification) and are required to be registered with Social Work England and Social Care Wales on commencement of employment. To allow our Social Workers to provide a thorough, personal and meaningful service to our fostering families, FCC believe that caseloads need to be manageable. We are a ‘not for profit, value-based organisation’, putting the needs of our children and carers first and are looking to appoint a Social Worker who is as passionate about this as we are. We are currently transitioning to become a charity, which will be completed in early 2023, so it has never been a more exciting time to join our team. Application Closing Date: Monday 12th December 2022 To discuss this role further, please contact Steve Field, Director of Childcare or Barbara Bull – Deputy CEO/Head of HR, on 01684 892380 Please download our application form here or email Lesley@fostercarecooperative.co.uk (HR Department) FCC is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children; applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosures Barring Service clearance at enhanced level. CVs will not be accepted; all applicants must complete an application form. FCC is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace – a place where we can all be ourselves and succeed on merit’ Full details and application documents here |
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