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Fostering Devon Newsletter 13/12/2018
Fees and Allowances Update
We have now updated the main Foster Carer Handbook with full details of the new fees and allowances model. We have added the new payment information, guidance and fees and allowances tables to the website here. The new training and support group principles can be found on the website here. Where appropriate the assessment of children and young people in care has started, the results will be moderated, and we plan to write to each fostering household individually in January.
A reminder that fees and allowances protection is guaranteed for carers receiving more (as at 20 January 2019) than the new fees and allowances rates (starting 21 January 2019). All protected allowances will remain fixed at the 2018/19 rate until the current foster placement comes to an end.
If you have any questions, please speak to your supervising social worker or email us.
 Pantomime Details
The show starts at 6pm, on Friday 4th January, so please arrive at the Northcott Theatre before this time. We will be ticking people off on the door rather than sending out tickets. Your place will be confirmed via email so do not worry that you haven't received a ticket. Please make sure you've sent us your expression of interest, for your place, by Wednesday 19th December. We look forward to seeing you for this evening of fun!
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Pace beds now provided by Devon Fostering
Over the past few months Devon County council have been working closely with Devon and Cornwall Police to develop a new service that will provide PACE (Police and Criminal Evidence Act) beds with our foster carers for children and young people who have been charged for an offence by the police and denied bail.
This is important as we recognise that children or young people are vulnerable in a custody setting and should be treated differently to adults in Police custody, and Police cells are not a suitable place for children. We are pleased to announce that we now have two of our fostering households who are experienced in providing remand beds working together to ensure that we can offer PACE beds 24/7 all year round.
 Free entry to the Eden Project
The Community Weekend allows admittance to The Eden Project free of charge for one or two weekends in the Winter season, for an employee or member of a selected group, together with their family, (comprising a total maximum of 2 adults and up to 3 children under 16 years of age).
- 5 – 6 January 2019
- 26 – 27 January 2019
You will need to bring proof of employment (pay slip, photo ID name badge, etc.) which will enable you, plus one other adult and up to three children to have free entry to Eden any time across either of the above weekends.
Here is more information about the offer.
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 Rose's Retirement
On Friday 30th November North Devon fostering team hosted a retirement lunch for its longest serving carer Rose Jury. Rose has been a DCC carer almost 50 years and has lost count of the number of children she has welcomed into her home. During her long career, she has cared for children ranging from new borns to post 18’s.
Rose has many happy memories of fostering for DCC, two of her fondest moments were taking 2 little boys to see Santa in Lapland.
We wish Rose all the best in her retirement!
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 NCS Sign Up
Please encourage your young people to sign up for the National Citizen Service Youth Development Programme. NCS is a part-residential experience, with 30 hours committed to a local community project. This experience helps teens to gain skills for work and life. NCS is an opportunity to take on exciting challenges, make new friends and contribute to the community.
Applicants must be of school leaving age to participate, although older people with special needs may apply. Apply online here or by phone 0800 197 8010. Please email Natalie Archer if you have any further questions or visit the NCS website. (Total cost £50, bursaries available.)
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 Children in Care and Participation Team
Click here to view the latest news from Devon's Children in Care Council. We would very much like to welcome Lizz Williams back to the team after her maternity leave. We were delighted to help out with the skills to foster training too. You can find more about the training session we gave by clicking this link. You'll also find our downloadable Top Tips for Foster carers there. Tell us what you think of them!
If your children would like to know more about the Children in Care Council and how they can get involved in our activities in the New Year, please email us or call 01392 383000 and ask for the Youth Participation team. Alternatively click here to view full team details. To find out more about Children in Care Councils visit this site.
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Foster Talk Newsletter
Here is the December edition of SmallTalk, FosterTalk's e-Newsletter.
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Toddlers Bed Available (FREE)
Toddlers bed in good condition - no mattress
For more details contact Melanie Boarer on:
07792132360 or email.
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Support Groups
Please click here for the Support Groups Calendar.
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New Mid and East Support Group
Copplestone Methodist church
Monday 14th January, 10am to 12pm at Copplestone Methodist Church, EX17 5NH
Speaker to be Confirmed
Looking forward to welcoming you!
If you have any questions please contact Jo and Annie, Tel: 07815422638
Future Mid and East Support Groups:
Exeter and DYPAS Support Groups
11+ Support Group
Tuesday 22ndJanuary - Karen Gold Manager – Missing Persons Unit
Wednesday 27th February
Wednesday 27th March – Speaker TBC
Tuesday 23rd April
Wednesday 29th May – Speaker TBC
Thursday 20th June
Tuesday 16th July - Speaker TBC
Wednesday 25th September
Thursday 31st October – Speaker TBC
Tuesday 3rd December
Location - Larkbeare House, 10:30 - 12:30.
Under 11s Support Group
28th January
25th February
25th March
Further dates to be organised.
Location - Newcourt Community Centre, 10-12.
Training Manual
For the 2018 / 2019 Training Manual - please click here
 Refer A Friend Scheme - up to £500 when you refer a friend to foster
As you are a foster carer you will know how personally rewarding it is to help shape a child’s future. So if you are passionate about what you do, and can think of a friend or family member who would be a great foster carer, why don’t you tell them about our Refer a Friend Scheme?
You could receive up to £500 for every person you refer if they become an approved foster carer for Fostering Devon – click here to read more.
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Fostering Devon Key Contacts
Strategy Group Members
Peer Guides
Devon Duty
  Got something interesting or important you’d like to include in the newsletter? Fostering Devon Newsletter will be issued fortnightly. Please send newsletter items to mailto: fosteringassessmentsadministration-mailbox@devon.gov.uk
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