Thursday 12 May 2022
 We're putting money aside in savings for children in our care
We want to give the children placed in our care the best possible life as adults.
So, just as many parents do for their own children, we decided that we will start putting money aside in savings, so that when they’re 18 years old, they’ve got a foundation to build on and to use in a responsible way.
The government already makes one-off payments to children who have been in care for 12 months. They’re given an Isa account and payment of £200, or it’s put into a Child Trust Fund on their behalf.
But now we’ve set aside £170,000 for the year, to put an additional £20 a month savings into the accounts for each eligible child who is in our care for 12 months or more.
 Calling all parents living or working in Devon – we need your help this summer!
We want to find out more about your experience of childcare in Devon.
Knowing what childcare you use and need means we can ensure there are enough high quality childcare places at the times and in the areas that families need them.
Whether you use childcare or not, your voice counts.
Please complete this survey and help us plan to make sure there is enough childcare for you to work or train.
 Celebrating our fostering community during Foster Care Fortnight
Foster Care Fortnight is The Fostering Network's annual campaign to raise awareness about the power of fostering, show how foster care transforms lives and celebrate the commitment, passion and dedication of foster carers.
Running from Monday 9 May until Sunday 22 May, the theme this year is ‘fostering communities’. It aims to showcase the strength and resilience of fostering communities and the many ways they support each other to ensure children are cared for and supported to thrive.
Sarah, one of our incredible foster carers, has shared why the fostering community matters to her:
"Sometimes I need answers to questions about how to cope when a child leaves our care, advice on how to deal with a particular behaviour, or simply which form to fill in when! There is always a good friend on the end of the phone who will know just what I need.
"Confidant, therapist, friend, provider of tea, cake and sympathy and someone who is always there - that’s what my fellow foster carers are to me."
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If you have been thinking about fostering, please get in touch on 0345 155 1077 or email foster@devon.gov.uk. We are particularly keen to hear from people who would be willing to foster siblings, so that they can continue to live together.
 Free school meal holiday vouchers for May half term
We've been allocated money from the government’s new Household Support Fund so we can provide supermarket vouchers to families whose children currently receive benefit-related free schools meals for one week at May half term and the full six weeks of the summer holiday.
Hundreds of schools across the county have helped to distribute the vouchers for the upcoming May half-term, and families are urged to check their email inbox and redeem them as soon as possible before they expire. Please get in touch with our free school meals team if you were expecting to receive a voucher but didn’t, by emailing freeschoolmeals@devon.gov.uk or calling 0345 155 1019.
If you didn’t previously qualify for free school meals but your income has recently reduced or stopped, please apply online through our website to check if you are eligible for this support as soon as possible. Alternatively, you can call our education helpline on 0345 155 1019.
We believe that it's important for disabled children and young people to have opportunities to make and meet friends and to feel confident. We have a 'short breaks' programme that helps to do this, providing opportunities for children and young people to meet new people, take part in activities, enjoy positive learning opportunities and have different experiences, while giving their families a break from their caring responsibilities. If a child is eligible for targeted support, this support can include short breaks.
Now, we want to improve our short breaks offer, so we're currently working alongside the Parent Carer Forum Devon and organising sessions around the county to meet with parents and carers of disabled children and young people to talk together about short breaks, and share updates and experience together.
We have four coffee morning sessions taking place in:
- Barnstaple, on Wednesday 18 May
- Newton Abbot, on Wednesday 25 May
- Honiton, on Tuesday 7 June
- Tavistock, on Thursday 16 June
Further sessions are being planned for autumn, to be announced once they have been finalised.
If you are a parent or carer with a disabled child or young person, we'd like to invite you to attend any of our sessions.
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