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Fostering Devon Newsletter 10/01/2019
Fees and Allowance Update
The assessment of need for children and young people in care has now been completed and moderated. Letters outlining the agreed fee and allowance arrangements for each child and young person are currently being prepared and will be sent out to carers next week.
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. All ongoing respite arrangements will also remain fixed at the 2018/19 rate.
Full details of the new fees and allowances model can be found in the updated Foster Carer Handbook. This alongside the new payment information, guidance and fees and allowances tables can be found on the fostering website here. The new training and support group principles can be found on the website here.
If you have any questions, please speak to your supervising social worker or email us.
Watch and Share Our NEW Advert
We are delighted to be able to share with you our brilliant new TV advert featuring some very familiar faces!
The advert is being aired on Sky TV throughout January, February and March to encourage others to consider fostering for Devon County Council. We are also sharing it across our Facebook and Twitter channels, so please do follow us and help spread the word. Also look out for a series of foster carer film snips being shared every week across social media using #FosterFriday. If you know someone who would make a great foster carer, why not tag them in or encourage them to give us a call on 0345 155 1077.
 Evening at the pantomime
We had a successful evening at the panto for the second year running on Friday 4th January. About 410 Carers, Children and members of the Fostering Team came together at The Northcott, Exeter to watch Jack and The Beanstalk. The evening was full of laughs and everyone enjoyed themselves in the company of others. Hopefully next year we will enjoy another pantomime evening!
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Exeter and DYPAS Carers Christmas Lunch
On Wednesday 12th December, the Exeter and DYPAS Fostering Team hosted a Christmas lunch for our carers at the Kenn Centre. It was well attended with just under 50 carers, and the first time that any of our team had ever cooked for so many people. Everyone had a great time and we have been overwhelmed by the lovely feedback from our carers who all enjoyed the company, food and being waited on by us! We would like to thank Mel and Tim Boarer who hosted the fabulous Christmas quiz, and Jenni Ashford who kindly donated two prizes on behalf of the Exeter Golf and Country Club. A spa day for two won by Deanna Peyton-Jones and a spa day for two with a prosecco lunch won by Mandy Heggadon. We would also like to thank the team who did a great job in organising, shopping, cooking and cleaning up. It was exhausting but also rewarding to see so many of you enjoying yourselves and having fun. It was a huge relief that it went so well and that no one got food poisoning!
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New Mid and East Support Group
Copplestone Methodist Church, EX17 5NH
Monday 14th January, 10am-12pm
Claire Haines from the reach team will be coming to talk about online safety issues and CSE.
We look forward to welcoming you!
If you have any questions please contact Jo and Annie on 07815422638
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 Devon Children in Care Health Team-Bag A Bottle this Christmas
This year the Devon Children in Care (CIC) health team were inspired by a recent article about CIC moving placements with only black bin bags for their belongings. This hit a note for our Administration team who do not usually meet young people in their role. Therefore, the article really brought home the potential reality of what it can be like to be in care.
The whole team decided that they would forego fluffy socks and Secret Santa and clubbed together to buy a range of rucksacks for Children in Care across Devon. Due to the generosity of friends and family, the team bought a total of 20 rucksacks and 20 water bottles to keep the recipients hydrated too. These will soon be distributed to those young people thought to need them most.
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 Coram Voice Annual Competition for Children in Care and Care Leavers
If you're caring for a child or young person up to the age of 25, Coram Voice annual creative writing competition is for your child. It's designed to promote a positive image by showcasing young people's creativity and improving understanding of their experiences.
Submit a poem, story, rap or song lyrics under 500 words on Growing Up and you could win some brilliant prizes! Visit the website to find out how to enter.
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 Our Space
A brand new, FREE, project for any young people in care who are interested in creative opportunities such as music workshops, arts and crafts, or just looking for a safe space to chill with friends or make new ones. For school years 7-11. 21st January and every Thursday after that. 100 Club Exeter, Wear Barton Road, EX2 7EH
3.30pm-5.30pm (arriving later than 3.30pm is okay!) For more information contact the 100 Club on 01392 662227 or visit the website.
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Thank You To...
Here is a big Thank You to Exeter Golf and Country Club for donating leisure passes, Exeter, Lush for donating lots of smellies, Clarins in Debenhams, Exeter for hand massage vouchers and some products to encourage self care and Benefit for free makeovers to help with some precious "me time". These kind donations are going towards the Fostering Welcome Day on 24th January and are much appreciated!
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 C&P Assessment Team Support Group
The Child and Parent Assessment Team are experiencing more requests for placements which include fathers. We wanted to explore as a group how we can support fathers in placement. Research in practice have undertaken work to look at the importance of working with dads in child protection. They have identified some key messages about working with and engaging them in their children's lives which were shared with carers. The group also welcomed new CPAT carers joining the service and had some fun trying Taiko Drumming.
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Assistance with migrant children
    
Bright Spots Survey
Following the brief article about Bright Spots in November here is an overview of the findings of the Survey. A real encouragement to the difference that good foster care can make.
  
 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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Support Groups
Please click here for the Support Groups Calendar.
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Training Manual
For the 2018 / 2019 Training Manual - please click here
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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