Simply Fostering news – Attracting new foster carers

Research by Simply Fostering, last quarter of 2014, finds finds what might make people anxious about applying to become foster carers?

People interested in fostering might have a mistrust of social workers. They might not believe that they have the abilities to do the job and are usually unaware of how many new foster carers are needed every year. People usually don’t know what is involved in being a foster carer and are worried about answering all the questions asked in the foster carer assessment... Simply Fostering News.

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Foster carers don't do for the money!

Fostering children involves looking after your own family, and someone else’s children at the same time. Being a foster carer is full on enough without adding to the pressures by constantly worrying about finances which raises stress levels, narrows choices and restricts carer’s ability to help everyone to fully share in what society has to offer.
Read more...Foster carers rewards

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The differences - Long term fostering and adoption

Long term fostering and adoption

Long term foster care and adoption are very similar, but have some key differences. In this article will be a brief summary of what the two are, and how and why they differ.

When someone decides to foster, they are providing family life for someone else’s child when the child can’t live with their birth family. Foster care is generally a short term service, and the child will most often return home. However, when this is not possible, permanent foster care or adoption comes into the picture.

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Foster children and abuse

Foster children – abuse

According to statistics, in March 2014 there were 68,840 children in care in the UK*. This staggering statistic continues to rise every day, therefore it is very important for people (interested in foster care or not) to know how and why young people are put into care and the effects it can have on the children. More...

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Fostering families and their fostered children are kept in the dark

It's been confirmed again that thousands of foster families are being put at risk because some councils are withholding vital information about the children they agree to take in, campaigners have warned.

Over a quarter of English foster carers are not provided with the significant information needed to look after foster children and their own families safely, according to a survey of a thousand households across England by the Fostering Network.

During my many years in social work, I have never met a foster carer who has not complained at some time, about not being given enough information by the child or children's placing authority.

Old news.

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Updated Foster carer Transfer Agency Protocol

Transfer protocol published

Monday, 4 August, 2014

The Fostering Network and the joint forum of Independent Fostering Providers, with the support of the Association of Directors of Children's Services, have issued an updated transfer of foster carers protocol for England.

The aim of the protocol is to ensure that children's interests are protected when foster carers transfer between fostering services.

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Time for a change?

Is it time for a change?

Do you want to make a positive change in your life?

Do you want to experience the satisfaction of keeping children from more harm and seeing them settle down and start thriving?


Then become a foster carer and feel the sense of fulfillment that doing something worthwhile brings, and be the person who can make a difference to a child’s life.
Visit our new web site http://simplyfostering.co.uk

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Children & Young People In Care At Higher Risk Of Sexual Exploitation Report Finds

Children & Young People In Care At Higher Risk Of Sexual Exploitation Report Finds

Councils continue to fail in their duty to protect children from sexual exploitation by and within predatory gangs , a two-year investigation by the Office of the Children’s Commissioner has found.

The report which was published recently, was critical of Children's  Services for continually  failing to safeguard children and and whom it feels underestimate  the scale of sexual exploitation risk after finding only 6% of local safeguarding children boards (LSCBs) are complying with key government guidance on tackling child sexual exploitation (CSE).

Nearly all of the Safeguarding Children's Boards  said that child sexual exploitation is a strategic priority, but only 50% could say how many victims had been detailed within the last 12 months in the local area. Very public court proceedings in Derby, Oxford and Rochdale  highlighted the extent and scope of this type of abuse.

Although it  highlighted local examples of  positive practice, the Office of the Children’s Commissioner found a concerning dearth of  knowledge, practice and services required to address the needs of those experiencing Child sexual exploitation despite the higher public profile.

The report instead a different and fresh structure called  See Me, Hear Me, for those who design, manage or provide services in specific areas of  child protection. Developed with those who have experienced sexual exploitation, the structure emphasises professionals should  “focus relentlessly on the child”. Alongside the structure are  two other reports , which shine a light on  the risk to children and the complexities around their understanding of giving consent to sexual activity.

London Metropolitan University conducted extensive interview research with hundreds of young people and found worrying views about sexual activity and consent including the likelihood of young people, particularly females of absorbing guilt and shame if they are sexually exploited.

The University's evidence  the showed a worrying reality  of Sexual exploitation in gangs and groups and societal authority failing to tackle the hidden phenomenon of child sexual exploitation,  according to the  Deputy  Children's  Commissioner  for England.

Sue Berlowitz is championing a new world  in the culture of children’s services so victims’ needs are top of the agenda. The Office's  report ‘If only someone had listened’ tries to do this by providing a structure  for practitioners to use when designing or planning services. It is hoped that implementing the new anti-child sexual exploitation structure will achieve this.

The research has been widely welcomed in most sectors, but some have expressed concerns that austerity budgets and cuts to services will impede attempts to bring the structure into practice.

Source : Community Care Online

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