Support

Support for Carers and their Birth Children

Carers facing Allegations or Complaints suffer an emotional roller coaster and often feel lonely, isolated and confused. The Fostering Network has an Independent Allegation support service. You are entitled to have their help no matter what the reason. The Legal Helpline number is 01384 885734. 

Your membership of The Fostering Network

Essex foster carers are members of The Fostering Network, the UK’s leading fostering charity and membership organisation, bringing together everyone who is involved in the lives of fostered children to make foster care the very best it can be.

You are protected

You and all those who live in your household are covered by The Fostering Network’s market-leading legal protection insurance, which includes a legal helpline, expert legal assistance and legal expenses cover for up to £150,000 in the event of an allegation against you. Call the legal helpline on 01384 885734.  

You are supported

The Fostering Network has a range of tailored services and products to ensure that you are fully supported in your role including an advice helpline (0207 401 9582), publications and training and discounts on specialist home insurance, mortgages, family days out and holidays. As a member you also have access to independent support services to help you with an allegation or to resolve a dispute you are involved in. Please ask your social worker to contact them to arrange support.

You are connected

As the essential network for fostering, The Fostering Network brings our members together through events, conferences and an online community, as well as connecting you to news and developments in the sector through monthly e-newsletters, a quarterly magazine and offer opportunities to join campaigns they lead on to create vital change in foster care.

For more information about what your membership includes, please visit thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/membership

Education Support

10 Top Tips for Supporting Education 

Taken from the book 'SUPPORTING EDUCATION', written by Eileen Fursland. The book is available to buy from BAAF (corambaaf.org.uk/books/ten-top-tips-supporting-education) and there is also a copy in each Fostering Team for Foster Carers to borrow. It is really worth a read and it doesn't take too long!

1.  Learn the child.

What is the narrative of the child? What is their history. What does the child think of himself? What are their strengths and weaknesses and help build on them?

2.  Assess the impact of the child’s history on their education.

A timeline of the child life will help with understanding. The first 5 years are the most important.

3.     Gather information of the child’s education history.

Contact the child’s previous schools or ask the SW to do this and get any available information. Get the previous school reports for example. Ask for previous copies of the PEPs. Contact the Virtual School for help and advice.

4.     Try and get to know the previous carers.

Carers as in Parents, family members or previous Foster Carers.

5.     Get to know the school.

Make sure the child is in the best school not the most convenient. Sometimes a change in school can be a good thing. A new start.

6.     Form a relationship with the key people in the School

Meet with the Designated Teacher. Ensure the Delegated Authority reflects your involvement. Make the PEPs more than a paper exercise. Make them work. Remember the Pupil Premium Grant.

7.     Make sure to facilitate the links with the school.

Ensure you are kept in the link with the Social Worker. Ensure you are empowered to liaise with the school and that the Delegated Authority reflects this.

8.     Make sure the child is kept informed.

Pass on information in a child friendly way. Avoid fear of the unknown.

9.     Support the child through Transitions.

Changes in schools can be traumatic for a child. Be aware that a school is often seen by the child as a safe place and a change in schools can cause anxiety, but it can also lead to better educational outcomes.

10.  Look at the network around the child for positive impacts.

Is there anyone else who can support the child? Someone from the extended family, a teaching assistant, a particular teacher, family friend.

Health and Well - Being for Young People  

Essex has launched a website about health and well-being for young people. It provides information on topics such as diabetes and asthma, HPV vaccination, drug and alcohol misuse, managing stress, bullying and peer pressure and difficulties at home, as well as guidance for young carers and support for young people with disabilities. It also includes a comprehensive list of health services and organisations in Essex that can help young people.

Follow the link .... https://healthwatchessex.org.uk/