News
EFCA Newsletter - May 2023
Here is your May 2023 Newsletter from the EFCA
Lots to talk about in this month’s Newsletter!
We have (scroll or click on the link to jump to a topic):
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 Annual General Meeting
If you would like to come to our AGM then please fill in the form on this page: AGM Form
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Update on DLA (Disability Living Allowance)
Lucy and I met with Natalie Isaac to discuss further the hurdles that some Foster Carers have to go through in order to get Disability Living Allowance. Lucy is in the process in writing guidance to help Foster Carers and Social Workers better understand the process and partnership that is needed between Foster Carers and the Childrens Social Workers. We hope to have this available shortly.
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Free School Meals?
Since September 2014 state funded schools in England have been required by law to provide free lunches to pupils in Reception, Year 1 and 2. In our handbook it states that a proportion of our allowance is required to pay for school meals outside that criteria. However, there is a current question that we are looking into.
In the Government document – Free School meals: guidance for local authorities (page 5) we have noticed that it states:
"Since 1st April 2018, all existing free school meals claimants have continued to receive free school meals whilst Universal Credit is rolled out. This applies even if their earning rise above the threshold during that time. In addition, any pupil gaining eligibility for free school meals after 1st April 2018 will be protected against losing free school meals until March 2025."
We are currently talking to the Fostering Network, Virtual School and the Department of Education to clarify this.
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Data breaches
When a child comes into care the Parents of that child have a right to know where their child is placed, and unless there is a genuine concern that it might not be in the best interests – your address is shared.
We are asking Essex to not share our mobile numbers or email address without our prior knowledge or agreement as this seems to be happening regularly.
I have also written to an ECC Information Governance Officer asking if there is anyway a Foster Carer can receive feedback from them when data has been breached as it seems that once this has occurred and the Governance Department informed nothing else seems to happen – Awaiting their response.
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Nominations
The EFCA would very much like to thank you for the nominations that you sent in. We have to say that some of them brought a tear to our eyes. They were so good to read, there are some very beautiful people out there that really can go over and above, and everybody thanks you. The nominations will be published next month!
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The Swimming Event
Whilst the Swimming Event isn’t anything to do with the EFCA I would just like to say that a brilliant time had by all 225 people who attended! There were Carers from all the quadrants which was lovely to see. The children swam and had such a good time! Thank you, Sue and the rest of the organising team!
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EFCA YouTube Videos
Over the coming months the EFCA are arranging to interview the different departments within Essex to help you better understand the processes and what can help you.
We are currently working on Staying Put…
Videos already available:
The "Myth Busting Finance" video is available by clicking here
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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
- My First Period kits
- Giving Lottery : https://www.givinglottery.org.uk/support/essex-foster-carers-association
- Adventure Island tickets : Email grantandgift@essexfca.org
- Father's Day raffle
Gift Aid
Many of you have so generously donated part of your back pay from the increase in allowances which is absolutely amazing of you. If those of you who are tax payers could also fill in the Gift Aid form at the link GiftAid.pdf EFCA are able to boost your donation by 25p for every £1 you donated. Once you have completed the form, please email it to grantandgift@essexfca.org.
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My First Period Kit
Please send your donation using https://pay.sumup.io/b2c/Q2P6V7OJ and then contact Karen at grantandgift@essexfca.org to request your kit(s).
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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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Father's Day Raffle
