 Hello and welcome to the May edition of fostering news for 2023. May is shaping up to be a busy month already. It is nicely broken up with bank holidays though and a Coronation to celebrate, so we’re not complaining
Talking of the Coronation, we are quite excited for this historic occasion. We’ve been watching a really good video, colouring and trying out recipes we found on the official website.
We would love to hear what you and the kids get up to this weekend for the Coronation. If you prefer to wear a crown or a tiara; you make cakes or buy them; you’ve drawn pictures or downloaded one to colour in, or whether you think bunting is better than flags. Whatever it is we would absolutely love to see your pictures or hear your stories for our @FosterNotts Facebook page, and if you are not in to the celebrations what did you do instead?
Before you get on with your day, take a quick coffee break and check out this month’s newsletter where you will find details of this year’s Foster Carer Survey, the Children In Care Pledge, information about the opportunity to buy a reduced price Chromebook/Geobook; together with employability briefings and a reminder about Fostering’s Got Talent.
Thanks for reading 👑🥳🧁
Fostering’s Got Talent
The most anticipated show of the year is fast approaching and we are beyond excited. We now have a variety of entries but we really really need more so this is your chance to stop hiding your light under a bushel and step up!
If you have any children or young people in your fostering family with a talent please please encourage them to enter. It is a fun night and we have an extra special show planned this year and in the words of one Great Showman – "Trust Me, They Don't Know It Yet, But They're Going To Love You."
Get in touch with fostering’s answer to Ant and Dec now. The show is on Wednesday 24 May at 6pm, Vision Theatre, West Notts College The show must go on!!!!!
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The Children In Care and Care Leaver’s Partnership pledge
The Nottinghamshire Children in Care and Care Leaver’s Partnership Pledge has been developed by local care experienced young people, and approved by the Children in Care and Care Leavers Partnership Board. The pledge summarises many different types of support available to the young people in our care, and outlines our commitment to them.
The pledge is designed to help young people understand the support available to them, and is there for young people at whatever time they need it, through their whole care journey. Although it may not be relevant to the young person at this time, they may benefit from it in the future, and hopefully they will feel assured by the array of services across the Partnership.
Nottinghamshire County Council and our partners have made six commitments to young people in our care, as follows:
- We will help ensure you are safe and feel safe
- We will help ensure you experience good physical, emotional and mental health and wellbeing
- We will help ensure you fulfil your potential
- We will help ensure you are actively involved as members of your local communities
- We will ensure you have a successful transition to adulthood
- We will help ensure you achieve sustained and fulfilling education, employment, and economic independence
Follow the link below to find out more about the pledge and other helpful documents linked with it including an easy read version compatible with translation apps..
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We want to hear from you! – annual foster carers' survey
The annual foster carer survey is now open and will be running until the end of May 2023. The survey is a great opportunity to share your views about your experience as a foster carer and how we can improve our service.
Surveys will generally be completed in supervision with your supervising social worker.
If you are not able to meet with your supervising social worker in May, please contact them so they can arrange to have the link sent out to you. Your views are important to us, we are hoping to have as many responses as possible and sharing the results with you all soon!
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Reduced cost Geobooks and Chromebooks
A local supplier of IT equipment to NCC (XMA Ltd) is offering discounted Geobooks and HP Chromebooks for our foster carers as part of a social value initiative.
• Geobooks are £70+VAT (£84 inc VAT) and comes with Windows 10 Pro Education.
• Chromebooks are £83+VAT (£99.60 inc VAT).
Delivery is free to mainland UK.
If you want to purchase one, please contact your FSO who will order the laptop on your behalf from the company, and will liaise with you over delivery. They will also arrange for the payment to be deducted from your fostering payment so you must be expecting a payment that will cover the amount.
The specification leaflets are available to download below to help you decide.
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FLAG
The Fostering Liaison Advisory Group meeting took place on Monday 24 April 2023.
It was well attended and there was a very informative talk on staying put and shared lives from Rachel Stimson (LAC Service Manager) and Zeeshan Swati (Senior Coordinator, Shared Lives)
The minutes are available to download using the button below.
The next FLAG meeting is scheduled for 17 July 2023. A link to join the meeting will be shared nearer the time.
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Training updates
The latest training update is available on the foster carer’s website, and to download via the button below.
Thanks to our Fostering Support Officer colleague Judy who takes the time to do this for us each month.
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Employability briefings
If you have a young person placed with you who is thinking about the next steps after school then this article is for you.
The achievement service at Nottinghamshire County Council have secured a number of opportunities for our older young people to find out more about different employment options locally and nationally.
A document highlighting upcoming events can be downloaded using the button below. There is even one at Twycross Zoo!
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