 Hello, and welcome to the February edition of fostering news!
Are you as pleased as us that February is finally here? January always feels like it lasts forever, but we are thankful the nights are drawing out and there are more hours of daylight.
We are leaping into the new month full of enthusiasm and ready for all the exciting events we have coming up this year that we are already stuck into planning.
And last thing from us, we would like to say thank you to the foster carers who attended the promotional event at Mansfield Library in January, if you want to see more from the day please follow along on Facebook @FosterNotts Facebook page.
Thanks for reading!
Fostering tree at Mansfield Central Library
On 23 January we unveiled our new collaborative artwork on the wall at Mansfield Central Library.
This piece was created with the help of 20 children from a local primary school who decorated the leaves to show what family means to them.
The tree is now on display in Mansfield Central Library for every visitor to see, with the aim to promote the need for foster carers to provide safe, secure homes for vulnerable children in Nottinghamshire.
Head down to Mansfield Library to view the artwork in person, and while you’re there, why not create your own leaves to add to the display!
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Could you be a fostering champion?
We are looking for fostering champions to help us recruit new foster carers for Nottinghamshire.
The best way for people to learn more about fostering and understand what it's really like is to have real foster carers sharing their stories and experiences.
We already have some excellent champions, and we'd love to hear from more carers to showcase the different backgrounds, experiences, and skills you all have.
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Care to Dance?
From 21 February, The Virtual School are working with Care to Dance to deliver a 12 week dance programme for Nottinghamshire looked after children/young people and care leavers aged 7-24 years.
This is an exciting opportunity to join our inclusive dance group where students will learn different genres of dance.
The sessions will be held on Wednesday evenings, 6 to 7.30pm at Create Theatre Mansfield, Vision West Nottinghamshire College, NG18 5BH.
To register interest, please contact amelia@caretodance.co.uk
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Training events
We have lots of training opportunities coming up over the next few months, including:
- Infant sleep support
- Supporting babies and toddlers to learn at home
- Promoting good/healthy eating
- Toileting support
- Infant feeding
Find out more on our website, and book your place via My Learning My Career
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FLAG Meeting
Thank you to all the carers who came to the most recent FLAG meeting in January. There was a great turn out but if you were not able to attend the last meeting you can find the minutes below.
If you want to be involved in the next meeting, this will take place via Microsoft teams on 22 April 2024 at 7pm.
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Raising Awareness for MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella)
We're raising awareness and encouraging foster carers to check their measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) status.
Measles is now circulating in England and the World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned that Europe is likely to see an increase of infections and is urging action to increase vaccination rates. Childhood MMR vaccinations rates are declining locally and nationally, and foster carers are being encouraged to check the vaccination status of the child(ren) in their care.
The MMR vaccine protects against three infections; measles, mumps and rubella.
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Children's Mental Health Week
This Children’s Mental Health Week, 5-11 February, pay a visit to the NottAlone website to see how it can support you and the children or young people that you foster.
NottAlone supports children and young people in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire to access local, tailored mental health support and advice. There’s a dedicated section of the website with information for parents and carer to support the young people in your own life. There’s also specialised advice for professional working with young people.
Search for @NottAlone1 on X (formerly Twitter) for mental health and wellbeing tips for young people on Instagram, and advice for parents, carers and professionals on X.
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Mockingbird events
Mockingbird online q&a
Tuesday 6 February, 10.30 to 11.30am
Join the Q&A online
Interested in being involved? Keep an eye open - your Fostering Support Officer will be sending you more information soon!
D2N2 events
We have shared some information in the previous newsletter about the D2N2 project launching in April.
We are holding events that we would like to invite you to attend, so we can give more details and answer any questions you may have.
Foster Carer Forum Event
Friday 9 February, 1 to 2.30pm at County Hall, West Bridgeford, NG2 7QP
Parking is available on site.
Online Foster Carer Forum
Thursday 7 March, 10am to 1.30pm
Online link will be sent nearer the time.
Please let your supervising social worker know if you would like to attend either of the above forums or if you would like any further details.
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Refer a friend
Did you know, we run an incentive scheme where our foster carers can receive £1,000 if they recommend someone they know to foster, and that person goes on to become an approved foster carer.
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