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Fostering Devon Newsletter 25/01/2019
Foster Carers Fees update
As you will be aware, the new foster carers fees and allowances scheme started on the 21st January, the first payments have now been made to foster carers. All fostering households should have received letters in the last week or so, outlining individual arrangements. There is a very small number of letters still to be sent, for example regarding those placements made over the last few days. Please be assured that the letters will arrive, and any adjustments needed to payments will be backdated where appropriate.
A reminder that 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.
Sons and Daughters Event
Following the success of previous Sons & Daughters events, our Strategy group has suggested creating another event for children in the service.
We would like to thank children of carers for their contribution to the service and to create the opportunity for peer support amongst each other.
If you have any suggestions for such an event, or have children who would like to be involved, please email us.
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 We have 15 places available at this event. If you are interested please email with your expression of interest. It will be on a first come first serve basis.
CiC Awards-March 2019
On Friday 8 March 2019 at St James School, Exeter (6.00-9.00pm), we will be holding our annual event to celebrate the achievements of Devon’s Children & Young People in Care and Care Leavers. The evening includes hot/cold buffet food, entertainment for children and young people and a presentation ceremony. This event is to recognise and say ‘well done’ for real achievement for individual Children and Young People. All nominees will be awarded a personalised certificate and £10 gift voucher (if they choose not to attend the event these will be posted to them). At the event they will be individually presented with their certificate and gift voucher, if they would prefer not to be called up onto the ‘stage’ then just let us know and we can arrange this, so they can still enjoy the rest of the event.
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This is your opportunity to nominate a young person who you think has achieved something significant for them over the last year, in one or more of these categories:
- Doing something which shows personal development;
- Doing something well in sport, music, arts, social/leisure activities
- Doing something well at school or college.
Who can be nominated?
Children & Young People aged 5-21 years (or up to 24 years if in Higher Education) who are in the Care of Devon County Council and are happy to be nominated. Unfortunately Children in Care to other LAs are not eligible to attend the event or receive a voucher – though we can have a personalised certificate printed which could then be presented to them at school/College or posted home, please contact Kate Clarke if you’d like us to arrange this.
How do I nominate?
This year we are using a new online form, hopefully making it quicker and easier for you all to nominate, please click on this link to access the form.
Deadline
Completed nomination forms must be returned by 31 January 2019. After the nominations close each child or young person nominated will be posted an invitation to the Celebration of Achievement Event and given full details. All nominations will be considered to make sure they meet the criteria, please ensure your nomination is concise and appropriate to be read out at the event.
If you have any queries please let me know and we look forward to receiving your nominations.
Martinsfield Farm-Lambing Sunday
31st March (Mothers Day) 11am-4pm
Tickets available here. Adults £4, Children aged 0-16 FREE. Payment on the day available-Card payment accepted.
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Martinsfield Farm is a Killerton Estate tenancy farm. This is the second year of hosting a lambing Sunday event. Come, see and cuddle the baby lambs. We will also have; an easter egg quiz, Guess the weight competition, cake stall, teas, coffees and cold drinks, lamb and beef burgers from our farm, Spreyton press cider, Usborne books, weavers, spinners and dryers, National Truest, Killerton, Our genuine sheepskin rugs, plus more...
We aim to educate anyone who comes to the farm. Please ask if you have a question, there is never a stupid question. Find out why we breed Dorper sheep. What is a hog? Why are sheep tagged? Why do they have a tag in each ear?
Martinsfield Farm, Broadclyst, Exeter, EX5 3JH
Visit Martinsfield Facebook page
Where can you find us?
Our farm is located opposite Broadclyst Primary School.
Contact Ed on 07747758549 OR Heather on 07920585781
Step Forward-DCC's Employability Programme
Step Forward is and employability programme that will help you start to think about taking that step towards your future career. The programme is aimed at Care Leavers seeking to gain, develop and increase their skills, experience and qualifications.
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What's on Offer?
- Personalised programme
- Coaching
- Rewards
- Work experience
- Careers advice
- Access to online learning pool
- Training in essential employment skills and more...
What Young People on the Programme have to say...
"Step Forward has helped me with interview skills and getting work experience with computers."
"I am really enjoying Step Forward and have learnt a lot of skills. I have done e-learning courses, and so far I have achieved a Love2shop voucher and certificates."
"I have found Step Forward very useful and enjoyable. I have learnt a lot, such as how to write a CV and interview skills. I attended a 'World of Work' workshop and received a certificate. You should join the programme!"
Contact us today
Text "I'm in" to 07970680770 and we will call you, email us or call 01392 383000and ask for the apprenticeship team.
Find out more here.
A Healthy and Happy 2019
So, after the excess of Christmas and the celebratory drinks for New Year, our thoughts often turn to resolutions to make this year a healthier, happier one.
One way you could do this is to think about increasing your fitness levels whether this be through movement; i.e. taking the stairs rather than the lift or working harder to become a gym enthusiast-all effort will make a difference.
It's well known that exercise not only improves your physical health but it improves your emotional health too-increasing your exercise is a good thing all round. Additionally, it can provide opportunities for social interaction and fun.
Why not try your local Park Run with the whole family-details are here or check out your local leisure centre for group classes, swimming or the gym. You are entitled, as carers, to discounts and should ask your local gyms and leisure centres about potential offers. It's always worth taking along you ID badges.
So however you decide to move your body this year-have a healthy and happy 2019!
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North Christmas Meal
At the North Christmas Meal, Foster Carers were asked to put a tag on the Christmas tree with a positive memory from 2018. Here are some things our carers are thankful for:
"Grateful for all my brilliant fostering friends"
"For an amazing family to put themselves forward for adopting the child I looked after for 2.5 years"
"All new carers to attend a fostering walk. Helps to introduce them to other carers."
"Giving thanks for my wonderful foster child."
"Heartfelt thanks for the kids you send. They teach me something wonderful everyday."
"Reading a book at bedtime with our child and laughing together with tears rolling down our cheeks."
"Being thanked by the Head of Department at college for the difference we had made to the student during the past year."
"Thank you to all others who supported me through rough times."
"Grateful for having such a brilliant social work team."
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WEBSITE UPDATE
We had some issues with the fostering website last week. This is just an update to say that the problems have been resolved by IT and everything should be working again. If you have any issues accessing the website in the future then please email us to let us know.
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South Support Groups-2019
Peer Support Group 2019 for Mid and East
Held at Colaton Raleigh Village Hall, Wednesdays 11am-1pm
30th January, 6th March, 3rd April, 1st May, 5th June, 3rd July, 11th September, 2nd October, 6th November
December Christmas dinner to be announced.
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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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