4.7.11 Support for Foster Carers |
Membership of National Fostering Network
Once approved, the council pays for a Carer’s membership of Fostering Network.
Support Groups
The Fostering and Placement Support teams facilitate a range of support groups where Carers can come together on a regular basis to offer support to each other, to hear expert speakers and organise training and social events. The following monthly groups are facilitated.
- A group for newly approved Carers;
- A group for established Carers;
- A evening support group;
- A group for Parent and baby Carers;
- A men’s support group;
- A group for ‘kinship’ Carers;
- A group for Carers’ own birth child/ren (meeting each school holiday).
Social Activities and Events
In conjunction with the Wandsworth Foster Care Association (WFCA) we arrange a variety of events over the year, such as the pamper day and a Christmas party.
The various support groups also have a social dimension which have triggered informal social networks and activities.
When we consult Carers from time to time about key issues these meetings are held in a local venue, which also allows an opportunity for Carers and Staff to socialise. Social gatherings enable Carers to meet each other and form links.
We are open to suggestions from Carers about other social events/activities. We believe they can help to promote recruitment and retention of Carers and the Fostering service and provide another enjoyable way of giving recognition and support to Carers.
The Placement Support Team (PST)
The Placement Support Team (PST) comprises skilled, experienced workers who provide support to children and young people in care. The team becomes involved in placements where the child or young person is struggling to settle or is going through a difficult patch or is excluded from school. The PST work closely with the Carer, Supervising Social Worker, child’s Social Worker , CLAESS and other colleagues and if appropriate the birth parents.
The team also provides school holiday activities programmes for children and young people in foster care and Carers’ own children.
The PST also offers support to Carers and their own children. The Team comprises the social workers, both family workers, Drugs and Alcohol specialist, a teacher, The CLA specialist nurse, a part time educational psychologist, two clinical psychologists and other support staff and sessional staff.
Out of Hours Service
The Fostering teams offer an out of hours ‘on call’ telephone advice and support service to all Carers. So in the evenings, at night and at weekends Carers are not left alone to struggle with problems professional help is there for them in addition to the EDT service.
Respite Care
Carers can have access to respite care when the need arises if the Social Worker and Supervising Social Worker’s consider a break from caring from a particular child/ren is required or a situation has arisen which means they cannot care for a child placed for a period.
Therapy for Looked after Children
Should therapeutic support appear to be necessary, the Social Worker for the child should discuss this with Carers and their Supervising Social Worker. The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service CAMHS may be able to provide assistance.
Equipment
When new Carers are approved a setting up allowance can be paid. Carers receive a percentage of the child related allowance from which they can save to replace and redecorate as necessary. If a Carer changes their approval or takes a child in an emergency outside their approval range a contribution towards new equipment can be made.
Website Support
A website for Wandsworth foster Carers will be available in early 2011.
It contains a password accessed side for approved Carers with a number of different pages on support services, training, policy and procedures and a message board for Carers to exchange information and discuss issues. This increases support to Carers and mutual support between Carers.
Training Support
We provide a comprehensive annual training programme to help Carers develop skills and knowledge and become more confident. There is an expectation that Carers attend mandatory training on approval and complete their course addition training and the CDDC induction standards for foster Carers.
Future training will be discussed and agreed in supervision and at the Annual Household Review.
Also see Annual Review of Foster Carers Procedure: Section 3: Formal Review Meeting.
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