News

Lots to talk about in this month’s Newsletter!

We have (scroll or click on the link to jump to a topic):

• Our 2023 AGM

• What a Beautiful thing to do

• Fostering Board

• Resource Section

• Summer Family Fun Day

• Raising funds for the EFCA

This is everyone’s News so let’s get started!

Do you know there is a Facebook group specifically for Essex Foster Carers? It is a closed and private group that you must be invited to join. It is a brilliant platform for asking questions and meeting like-minded people. If you wish to join, just send us an email with a name of another foster carer who can verify you to info@essexfca.org.

Remember we are here for you, if you need the EFCA for questions, queries, problems or just need a chat! Find us on the Facebook page or email info@essexfca.org

Your quadrant EFCA representatives are:

Sue Bell (North) suebell@essexfca.org
Amanda Stevens (South) treasurer@essexfca.org
Cheryl Cousins (Mid)  cherylcousins@essexfca.org
Lucy Tanner (West) lucy.tanner@essexfca.org

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Our 2023 AGM

What an amazing TURN OUT! Thank you so much for all those who were able to attend our AGM and wasn't the Sleep Therapist, Kathryn Dowling interesting - I know a few of you queued to talk to her afterwards! 

We are looking at training some Carers in Sleep Therapy so that we can help each other so watch this space!

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What a Beautiful Thing To Do

Ruth won our raffle at the AGM, she is such a beautiful lady, so kind, and what did she go and do? She gave her raffle prize to Fiorella, another amazing woman!

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EFCA attend the Fostering Board meeting

The Fostering Board meeting took place on 14th June. This is a meeting where we get the chance talk about what's going on in Fostering. On our agenda was
 

• LAC Savings - After about a year of a child being in care a fund is set up and £200 is placed in there from Essex. This fund is related to stocks and shares and the EFCA are wondering if this is the best place for the monies to be held. 
• We are working on a document to help Foster Carers be more informed about what is required for Disability Living Allowance and to work with their SW's - please see our resource section 
• There have been a few occasions where a child has moved on from their placement and not all of the belongings have been moved with the child. We are looking at ways that this can be changed.
• Injections - under some circumstances it is necessary for a Foster Carer to have vaccinations (a good example is Hip-B), these used to be cost free, Essex have now agreed that they will pay for these, but you must ask your SW before you go ahead as this is on a case by case basis. This information will be going on the expenses information sheet soon - A WIN FOR THE EFCA!
• There are a number of young people who are not in education or work and are therefore not entitled to free Dentist or Opticians Essex are going to provide a list of the LAC nurses for the quadrant you are in so that you can contact them directly. If they are unable to help find either a Dentist or Opticians then you should be able to be reimbursed. ANOTHER WIN FOR THE EFCA!

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EFCA Resource Section

As we move forward we are finding that there are things that Foster Carers should know - but don't, for example - if you have had your personal information shared by someone who did not ask permission you should report it.
So the trustees are working together to draft guidance to help empower all of us. Please click here for further information on:

• Car seats 
• DLA (Disability Living Allowance)
• Data Breaches
• Finance information

If there are things/situations that you would like to learn more about that might affect other foster carers too please contact me on info@essexfca.org

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Summer Family Fun Day

Organised independently by Sue Bell and friends, not EFCA. Email Sue and the team on fostercarerfundraisers@btinternet.com with offers of help or questions.

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Help us to help you - Fundraising - Karen Reynolds

Here are this month's fundraising activities

• Help us by using Gift Aid whenever you make a donation: GiftAid.pdf
• 100+ Cash Club
• Essex Lottery: https://www.essexlottery.co.uk/support/essex-foster-carers-association
• Giving Lottery :  https://www.givinglottery.org.uk/support/essex-foster-carers-association
• Adventure Island tickets : Email grantandgift@essexfca.org

Gift Aid

Have you or your partner made a donation (including Gofundme) to EFCA in the past four years?  If you have and you have paid tax, please complete the Gift Aid Form at the link GiftAid.pdf, as EFCA are able to boost your donation by 25p for every £1 you donated.  Once you have completed the form, just return it to grantandgift@essexfca.org.

It's going to be pretty difficult to remember how much you donated in the past 4 years, so please estimate an amount.

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100 + Cash Club

To enter, please pay using  https://pay.sumup.io/b2c/Q2P6V7OJ and email grantandgift@essexfca.org to let Karen know you've paid and how many tickets.

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Essex Lottery

Join the Essex Lottery and support EFCA at https://www.essexlottery.co.uk/support/essex-foster-carers-association

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Giving Lottery

Join the Giving Lottery and support EFCA using this link: https://www.givinglottery.org.uk/support/essex-foster-carers-association

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Adventure Island - Southend on Sea

To get your tickets please contact grantandgift@essexfca.org

To get your tickets please contact grantandgift@essexfca.org

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