 Hello and welcome to the March edition of fostering news for 2023. According to the Met Office we are now in Spring, a time for new beginnings and helping roots grow. We can’t help but compare this to the amazing job you all do caring for children and making sure they have the resilience to keep growing.
Spring brings us a sense of wellbeing; on the drive to work yesterday we spotted snowdrops, daffodils and even a couple of early lambs in the field. Taking the time to notice these things, even for a fleeting moment always makes us feel that bit better. Next time you are out and about why not walk along as if it’s the first time you’ve been that way and notice what you see. We’d love to hear about it too, let’s fill up our @FosterNotts Facebook page with your thoughts of Spring or your snaps of snowdrops and daffodils!
Before you go out for those Springtime walks, take a quick coffee break and check out this month’s newsletter where you will find details of summer school, support you can access and news from the recruitment team, alongside the usual training updates and information from the achievement service. Thanks for reading 😊
University of Nottingham summer school opportunity
The University of Nottingham is offering year 12s the opportunity to explore the university experience in depth, while developing the skills and knowledge required to progress onto the country’s top universities.
During the in-person summer school students will spend five days with the university and enjoy a varied programme of activities – academic, social and personal development – all for free!
After the summer school they will have access to a wealth of UCAS resources and webinars – as well as direct chat with student ambassadors – through Sutton Trust Online to support them through their higher education.
To find out more and book check out the university’s website by following the link below. Be quick as booking closes on Friday 10 March 2023!
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Support available via The Fostering Network
Did you know that as an approved foster carer for our service you are a member of the fostering network and can access independent advice and support from The Fostering Network?
One type of support provided is access to a completely confidential Stress Support Line run by an organisation called Care First. This is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and is staffed by qualified counsellors (translation is available in over 200 languages.) and can be reached on 01384 889 549.
Foster carers can access the service as many times as they like, for as many different reasons as they like, i.e., they can get support for anything that is troubling them, even if it is not related to fostering. For example, they could call if they experienced a bereavement and need some support. If a foster carer is referred for one-to-one counselling through Care First, then there is a limit on the number of sessions available to them (six per issue).
Calls are confidential unless there is an imminent safeguarding risk – and then the caller is told who information will be shared with, and how. There are instances in which Care First might “break the individual confidentiality by calling their employer, social services or the police if necessary”, but these would be in instances of serious safeguarding concerns (such as when someone else is at immediate risk) and at the agreement of multiple parties.
The fostering network have also recently updated their website to include a page called ’preparing for your call with us’, which includes information about their confidentiality and privacy policy.
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Information and support for families
If you foster younger children you may be able to access services at your local children’s centre.
Through a mix of drop-in sessions, small groups and 1-1 support, the Children’s Centre Service helps children and families have the best start in life, develop well and thrive.
A wide range of services are available which provide advice, support and guidance on family support and parenting, promotion of child development including support around speech and language and supporting parents to be work ready, plus many more.
You can also find lots of useful tips and advice for parents and carers on bringing up children and family life from the Families Information Service. To Find out more about what is available, pop in to your local Children’s Centre for a chat or have a look at the Families Information Service website by clicking the link below
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A message from the recruitment team
We continue to be out and about around the county trying to keep fostering in the public eye. One particularly memorable drop-in recently was when Charlotte and Penny went to the SeeSaw Toddler Group at the Ashwood Centre in Kirkby-In-Ashfield. They made us feel very welcome and included us in juice and biscuits time and the singing activities at the end which we loved. There’s nothing wrong in nurturing your inner child, especially if it is for the fostering cause 😊
We also had some of our foster carers spot us at a drop in at Morrisons recently. They came over for a lovely chat and gave us a boost; we love to see our foster carers when we are out and about so if you spot us (we are the ones with the Nottinghamshire County Council banner) come and say hello or just do a casual wave if you are feeling shy!
We are delighted to welcome our new FSO Louise to our team. Once she is fully in the swing of things she will be out and about at events and on the end of the phone/emails. A big welcome to Louise!
Last but not least, a reminder to have a think about family and friends around you who you think may make good foster carers. If you recommend them and they are successfully assessed and approved, you will receive the referral fee which is currently £1,000!
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Toyota Employability Briefing
Tuesday 7 March, 11am (Arrive 10.45)
The achievement team have organised an employability briefing at Toyota Motor Manufacturing UK. This is a brilliant opportunity for young people who have an interest in the motor vehicle sector, with an introduction to the industry and an opportunity to explore potential career pathways.
There will be an overview of Toyota, information about the kinds of careers they can offer, an exciting practical challenge and a factory tour. Trousers must be worn on the day for health and safety purposes and safety shoes will be provided. Your young person’s achievement advisor can help with transport if needed.
To book a place (you will need the young person’s shoe size) or find out more, email Rebecca.Dixon@nottscc.gov.uk or Achievement@nottscc.gov.uk
More about the Achievement Service
The Achievement Service is there to provide guidance and support to all young people in care aged 16-17 and care leavers up to their 25th birthday, to be the best they can be. Their aim is to help young people to aspire and achieve in whatever career path they choose to take. Whether that’s through education and studying in college, going to university, doing an apprenticeship, on-the-job-training or succeeding in the world of work.
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Training updates
Have you done any independent research, reading or watched something relevant to fostering this month? Developing ourselves can improve our knowledge base, give us confidence and help us find other ways to approach things.
As a foster carer it can enhance the formal training you receive and provide you with some additional evidence that you are meeting the National Minimum Standards around learning and development. Make sure you log the details and reflect upon it with your worker during supervision.
Finally, the latest training update is available on the foster carer’s website; thanks to our Fostering Support Officer colleague Judy who takes the time to do this for us.
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