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	<title>applying to be a foster carer Archives - Eastern Fostering Services</title>
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	<description>Fostering Essex, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire</description>
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	<title>applying to be a foster carer Archives - Eastern Fostering Services</title>
	<link>https://eastern-fostering-services.com/tag/applying-to-be-a-foster-carer/</link>
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		<title>The Fostering Community at Eastern Fostering Services</title>
		<link>https://eastern-fostering-services.com/fostering-blog/the-fostering-community-at-eastern-fostering-services/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Lucy Stevens]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 17 May 2023 07:19:00 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Foster Care Fortnight]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fostering Blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[applying to be a foster carer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[becoming a foster carer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fostering Cambridgeshire]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fostering Essex]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fostering Suffolk]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://eastern-fostering-services.com/?p=1865</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Today we’ll be celebrating the fostering communities which exist within fostering providers. We at Eastern Fostering Services are a small team but we have a wonderful community of carers who support, encourage and motivate one another. Why is our fostering community so important? Foster carers know that being part of a wider group of carers &#8230; </p>
<p class="link-more"><a href="https://eastern-fostering-services.com/fostering-blog/the-fostering-community-at-eastern-fostering-services/" class="more-link">Continue reading<span class="screen-reader-text"> "The Fostering Community at Eastern Fostering Services"</span></a></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://eastern-fostering-services.com/fostering-blog/the-fostering-community-at-eastern-fostering-services/">The Fostering Community at Eastern Fostering Services</a> appeared first on <a href="https://eastern-fostering-services.com">Eastern Fostering Services</a>.</p>
]]></description>
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<p>Today we’ll be celebrating the fostering communities which exist within fostering providers. We at Eastern Fostering Services are a small team but we have a wonderful community of carers who support, encourage and motivate one another.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Why is our fostering community so important?</h3>



<p>Foster carers know that being part of a wider group of carers is important for many reasons. A warm and supportive community of foster carers provides other foster carers with:</p>



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li><strong>A source of encouragement</strong>, particularly when times are tough. Foster carers have seen it all! When carers encounter difficulties or challenges with the children they are fostering, it is so important that they can seek the support and counsel of someone who knows exactly how they feel.</li><li><strong>Resilience</strong>. Communities of foster carers are themselves a means of building individual resilience. Having a group of people you can share knowledge with and learn from can help carers develop their own resilience toolkit.</li><li><strong>Perspective</strong>. Every foster carer has their own approach. Quite often when you’re in the thick of challenging circumstances, it can be difficult to view things objectively. Having a community of foster carers who can each offer their own perspective and approaches can really help you to see the wood and not just the trees!</li><li><strong>Confidence</strong>. Don’t forget you are also part of the fostering community. You will be able to offer support to other foster carers too. It is often only in conversations with other foster carers that you realise how much you have learned, the skills you have developed and the perspective you have gained. Knowing what you know does wonders for your confidence. Confidence itself makes you a more effective foster carer.</li><li><strong>Fun</strong>! The carers we are lucky enough to have at Eastern Fostering Services are warm, friendly and have a great sense of humour (often cited as the most important quality needed for fostering.) It is simply good fun to get together and socialise. The importance of fun is often underestimated as an important part of building resilience and robust mental health.</li></ul>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-do-our-foster-carers-say-about-the-eastern-fostering-services-fostering-community">What do our foster carers say about the Eastern Fostering Services Fostering Community?</h3>



<p>“Being part of the Eastern Fostering Services Fostering community is like being in a family!”</p>



<p>“It’s like stepping into a warm bath.”</p>



<p>“We’ve also benefited from a great network with other carers in Essex, which Eastern Fostering Services is instrumental in supporting.”</p>



<p>“Our social worker has been developing a Cambridgeshire group of carers and we meet regularly and feel like we’ve known each other for ever, (which we really haven’t).&nbsp; The other carers are a great support and we regularly message each other when we need help or to encourage each other.”</p>



<p>“We have had so much support from Eastern Fostering Services but also from our fellow carers in Suffolk, Essex and Cambridgeshire. We love the days out and getting together for training or beach days and the Christmas lunch!”</p>



<p><strong>If you’d like to know more about our fostering community, please get in touch. </strong><strong></strong></p>



<p>You can message us on<a href="http://www.facebook.com/EasternFosteringServices"> Facebook</a>, email us at <a href="mailto:team@easternfosteringservices.com">team@easternfosteringservices.com</a> contact us via our <a href="https://eastern-fostering-services.com/apply-to-foster/">website</a> or call us on 01206 299775.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://eastern-fostering-services.com/fostering-blog/the-fostering-community-at-eastern-fostering-services/">The Fostering Community at Eastern Fostering Services</a> appeared first on <a href="https://eastern-fostering-services.com">Eastern Fostering Services</a>.</p>
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		<title>Fostering Healthy Attachments</title>
		<link>https://eastern-fostering-services.com/fostering-blog/fostering-healthy-attachments/</link>
					<comments>https://eastern-fostering-services.com/fostering-blog/fostering-healthy-attachments/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Lucy Stevens]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 09 Jun 2022 13:59:36 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Community News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fostering Blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[applying to be a foster carer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Eastern Fostering Services]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fostering Cambridgeshire]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fostering Essex]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fostering Suffolk]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://eastern-fostering-services.com/?p=1891</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Right from the beginning of your journey into fostering, the one word you will hear regular mention of is attachment. What is attachment theory? Attachment theory concerns the relationhips between humans. Its most important assertion is that in order to have healthy social and emotional development, young children need to develop a trusting relationship with &#8230; </p>
<p class="link-more"><a href="https://eastern-fostering-services.com/fostering-blog/fostering-healthy-attachments/" class="more-link">Continue reading<span class="screen-reader-text"> "Fostering Healthy Attachments"</span></a></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://eastern-fostering-services.com/fostering-blog/fostering-healthy-attachments/">Fostering Healthy Attachments</a> appeared first on <a href="https://eastern-fostering-services.com">Eastern Fostering Services</a>.</p>
]]></description>
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<p>Right from the beginning of your journey into fostering, the one word you will hear regular mention of is <em>attachment.</em></p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">What is attachment theory?</h3>



<p>Attachment theory concerns the relationhips between humans. Its most important assertion is that in order to have healthy social and emotional development, young children need to develop a trusting relationship with at least one primary care giver. If, in the early years of life, a child cannot rely on their primary care giver to meet their needs and respond to them, it can lead to attachment difficulties and disorders.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Why is attachment important?</h3>



<p>The attachment style we develop has the potential to influence not only our childhood relationships, behaviours, social development and &nbsp;learning and educational development, but also can affect people throughout adolescence and into adult life. It has the very real capacity to influence the life chances and opportunities of the individual and that of their future children.</p>



<p>Attachment theory maintains that the attachment style you develop during childhood affects the relationships you form as an adult, particularly those of a personal, intimate or romantic nature. Your attachment style can also have a significant impact on your resilience, response to stress, mental health and life chances or opportunities.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-is-attachment-relevant-to-fostering">Why is attachment relevant to fostering?</h3>



<p>If children do not consistently have their needs met in early childhood, they learn that caregivers can’t be relied upon. Similarly, if children are cared for by harmful or unsafe adults, this will affect the relationships they are able to form.</p>



<p>The development of healthy attachment is usually promoted and encouraged by parents or primary caregivers. Positive attachment creates neural pathways in the brain which provide a basis for social behaviours. Poor attachment can create trauma which actually inhibits normal brain development leading potentially to a range of social, emotional, developmental and behavioural problems.</p>



<p>Many children who come into foster care will not have had the primary care that leads to secure attachments. As a foster carer, you may see a range of behaviours related to poor attachment:</p>



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Stress</li><li>Anger</li><li>Anxiety</li><li>Withdrawal</li><li>Clinginess</li><li>Controlling behaviour</li><li>Changeable presentation</li><li>Rejection</li><li>Intense peer relationships</li><li>Frequent relationship breakdowns</li><li>Shame</li><li>Poor focus/concentration</li><li>Risky behaviours</li><li>Lack of sense of identity</li><li>Testing foster carer</li></ul>



<p>The child’s expectation of the foster carer will be based on the patterns of their early life. They may present with some difficult, confusing and exhausting behaviour. Some of these behaviours may be quite subtle and only truly experienced by the foster carers. This is why it’s so important that foster carers have a good understanding of attachment in order to keep sight of the child within. Otherwise, it is the attachment related behaviours that can dominate and this can reinforce the child’s negative view of him/herself.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">The good news</h3>



<p>The good news for foster carers, the children and for wider society is that some of the gaps can be filled by the reparative care or consistent presence of a key, positive person. It is not too late to help someone discover their sense of self and to let go and trust.</p>



<p>For foster carers, a lot of this is about <em>being.</em></p>



<p><em>Being </em>consistent</p>



<p><em>Being </em>present</p>



<p><em>Being </em>attuned</p>



<p><em>Being </em>positive</p>



<p><em>Being </em>reliable</p>



<p><em>Being </em>trustworthy</p>



<p><em>Being </em>there</p>



<p>Eastern Fostering Services recognise that foster carers need to understand attachment and keep revisiting it as a training topic. We offer regular training on the subject face to face and a range of courses online.</p>



<p>If you’d like to know more about fostering with Eastern Fostering Services you can contact us <a href="/apply-to-foster/">online</a>, by phone on 01206 299775 or via <a href="http://www.facebook.com/EasternFosteringServices">Facebook</a>.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://eastern-fostering-services.com/fostering-blog/fostering-healthy-attachments/">Fostering Healthy Attachments</a> appeared first on <a href="https://eastern-fostering-services.com">Eastern Fostering Services</a>.</p>
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		<title>Fostering communities</title>
		<link>https://eastern-fostering-services.com/foster-care-fortnight/fostering-communities/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Lucy Stevens]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 06 May 2022 09:15:00 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Foster Care Fortnight]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fostering Blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[applying to be a foster carer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fostercare fortnight]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fostering]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fostering Cambridgeshire]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fostering Essex]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fostering Suffolk]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://eastern-fostering-services.com/?p=1863</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>The theme of this year’s Foster Care Fortnight is “Fostering Communities” #FosteringCommunities. From 9th to 22nd May, we will be looking at different aspects of fostering communities and what they mean to children and foster carers. What is a fostering community? A fostering community is any group of people or organisations that provide a wider &#8230; </p>
<p class="link-more"><a href="https://eastern-fostering-services.com/foster-care-fortnight/fostering-communities/" class="more-link">Continue reading<span class="screen-reader-text"> "Fostering communities"</span></a></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://eastern-fostering-services.com/foster-care-fortnight/fostering-communities/">Fostering communities</a> appeared first on <a href="https://eastern-fostering-services.com">Eastern Fostering Services</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p>The theme of this year’s <a href="https://thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/foster-care-fortnight-2022">Foster Care Fortnight</a> is “Fostering Communities” #FosteringCommunities. From 9<sup>th</sup> to 22<sup>nd</sup> May, we will be looking at different aspects of fostering communities and what they mean to children and foster carers.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-is-a-fostering-community">What is a fostering community?</h3>



<p>A fostering community is any group of people or organisations that provide a wider network of support or encouragement to both foster carers and the children and young people they care for. We would argue that fostering communities can also be spontaneous, occurring during opportunities for carers and children to socialise and have fun.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Why are fostering communities important?</h3>



<p>Fostering communities, in all their various guises are a crucial part of fostering. They offer foster carers and children invaluable support and encouragement. They are vital in ensuring that fostering relationships are maintained, that carers feel heard and supported and in helping children and young people to thrive. When it comes to fostering, nothing is done in isolation. As the adage goes, it takes a community to raise a child. This is certainly true for fostering. Whilst the main onus is on the foster carers, there are a whole number of people and professionals that can make a profound difference in the lives of the children and young people we care for. It is these people, organisations and opportunities that we wish to celebrate this Foster Care Fortnight.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Foster Care Fortnight and Fostering Communities!</h3>



<p>Keep an eye out for us on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/EasternFosteringServices">Facebook</a> and Instagram this May as we shine a light on fostering communities and express our gratitude for them. We’ll be giving you:</p>



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Insight into the Eastern Fostering Services Fostering Community</li><li>An understanding of the support that Eastern Fostering Services offers carers and the difference this can make in transforming lives</li><li>Thoughts from our foster carers on what Fostering Communities mean to them</li><li>Contributions from our children on what they love about being part of our fostering community</li><li>A glimpse of the events that allow communities to form and expand</li><li>A look at the Eastern Fostering Services team and what fostering, and community means to us</li><li>A guide to the professional community that play such an important role in advocating for children and young people</li></ul>



<p>As ever, if you are inspired to start your fostering journey this Foster Care Fortnight, please get in touch via our website, by email at <a href="mailto:team@easternfosteringservices.com">team@easternfosteringservices.com</a> or give us a call on 01206 299775.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://eastern-fostering-services.com/foster-care-fortnight/fostering-communities/">Fostering communities</a> appeared first on <a href="https://eastern-fostering-services.com">Eastern Fostering Services</a>.</p>
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		<title>There’s more to fostering than you might think.</title>
		<link>https://eastern-fostering-services.com/fostering-blog/theres-more-to-fostering-than-you-might-think/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Lucy Stevens]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 05 Apr 2022 18:21:27 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Fostering Blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[applying to be a foster carer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[becoming a foster carer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fostering Essex]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://eastern-fostering-services.com/?p=1850</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>What if everything you thought you knew about fostering was wrong? When thinking about fostering many people conjure up the image of a baby or toddler and are either attracted to fostering because of it or assume that it is not something they could do. In fact, there is increasingly a shortfall of carers for &#8230; </p>
<p class="link-more"><a href="https://eastern-fostering-services.com/fostering-blog/theres-more-to-fostering-than-you-might-think/" class="more-link">Continue reading<span class="screen-reader-text"> "There’s more to fostering than you might think."</span></a></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://eastern-fostering-services.com/fostering-blog/theres-more-to-fostering-than-you-might-think/">There’s more to fostering than you might think.</a> appeared first on <a href="https://eastern-fostering-services.com">Eastern Fostering Services</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p>What if everything you thought you knew about fostering was wrong?</p>



<p>When thinking about fostering many people conjure up the image of a baby or toddler and are either attracted to fostering because of it or assume that it is not something they could do.</p>



<p>In fact, there is increasingly a shortfall of carers for the children who really need them and who could benefit from the range of skills ordinary people bring to fostering.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">So, what does fostering look like in 2022?</h2>



<p>Since the Covid pandemic, we have seen the needs of children and young people shift. Undoubtedly, we are seeing the effects on children of poor mental health, domestic violence, substance misuse and poverty and the complex issues that brings. Whilst there are services being put into families to support them, the need is overwhelming, and we have seen an increase in children and young people who need a period of foster care.</p>



<p>Very few children in need of foster carers fall into the baby category, though of course there is still a need for carers who can look after babies, young children and certainly a large need for sibling groups. Fostering requires a deep pool of carers who are available to respond to the needs of our most vulnerable groups.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Task centred fostering</h3>



<p>Task centred fostering is usually a planned period of foster care with a specific objective in mind. This may be to support children, young people and their families to rebuild relationships or address certain issues or behavioural concerns. It may be to offer support with mental health and give families space and respite. It might be to care for children who are in the process of court proceedings.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Parent and child fostering</h3>



<p>We have seen a large increase in the need for carers to support young parents and their babies. This type of fostering offers young parents the opportunity to learn how to parent well. &nbsp;Increasingly, young parents are struggling with mental health issues, poor family support and relationships that are characterised by domestic violence. Parent and child fostering can offer parents role-modelling, life skills and the babies a safe and secure environment in which to develop a good attachment to their parent(s).</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Permanent fostering</h3>



<p>The greatest need for foster carers is in the adolescent age range. We have seen a rise in the number of 11–18-year-olds who need a secure, nurturing and therapeutic care setting. Often for these children and young people, reunification with family or adoption are not plausible options. Increasingly, the world is a scary and overwhelming place for these young people and fostering can really help them to reach their potential and process the trauma they may have experienced. Foster carers who look after this age group on a long-term basis can have a significant and lasting impact on a child and can help prepare them for independence.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Fostering refugee children</h3>



<p>Recently, we have once again seen an increase in demand for carers to support children and young people who are seeking refuge in the UK, usually because of war, conflict or political unrest in their own countries. This type of fostering, whilst challenging, can be hugely rewarding and offers the opportunity to change someone’s life dramatically.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Staying Put Fostering</h3>



<p>Many young people need additional support as they enter adulthood. Staying put offers young people over 18 the chance to stay within a loving fostering family as they continue to develop the skills and emotional toolkit they will need for life.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-can-i-bring-to-fostering">What can I bring to fostering?</h3>



<p>Almost everyone has something they could bring to fostering.</p>



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Have you had experience working with vulnerable adults or young people?</li><li>Maybe you’ve been a teacher or youth worker?</li><li>Have you raised your own children?</li><li>Have you led an active part in the lives of children in your family?</li><li>Have you supported stepchildren or friends of your own children?</li><li>Do you have empathy for children and young people growing up in difficult circumstances?</li><li>Do you want to make a difference in the world?</li><li>Do you have a home with a spare room that you would like to use to benefit someone else?</li><li>Do you practise a faith?</li><li>Have you had difficult life experiences that you have overcome?</li><li>Do you consider yourself to have had good life experiences and want to offer a child the same opportunity?</li></ul>



<p>If you can answer yes to any of the above questions, it could be that you could bring something of great value to children who need nurture, support, love and guidance.</p>



<p>Why not check out our <a href="https://eastern-fostering-services.com/apply-to-foster/">5 steps to fostering</a> for more information or email us at team@easternfosteringservices.com , find us on<a href="http://www.facebook.com/EasternFosteringServices"> Facebook</a> or call us on 01206 299775.</p>



<p>Life happens when you step out!</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://eastern-fostering-services.com/fostering-blog/theres-more-to-fostering-than-you-might-think/">There’s more to fostering than you might think.</a> appeared first on <a href="https://eastern-fostering-services.com">Eastern Fostering Services</a>.</p>
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		<title>Fostering good habits: the importance of record keeping in fostering.</title>
		<link>https://eastern-fostering-services.com/fostering-blog/fostering-good-habits-the-importance-of-record-keeping-in-fostering/</link>
					<comments>https://eastern-fostering-services.com/fostering-blog/fostering-good-habits-the-importance-of-record-keeping-in-fostering/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Lucy Stevens]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 08 Mar 2022 16:53:40 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Fostering Blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[applying to be a foster carer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[becoming a foster carer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Cambridgeshire]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Eastern Fostering Services]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[foster care]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fostering]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fostering Cambridgeshire]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fostering Essex]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fostering Suffolk]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://eastern-fostering-services.com/?p=1724</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>All foster carers who care for children through Eastern Fostering Services need to write a weekly report on the child/children they are fostering. These records are typed, protected with a password and sent to the Supervising Social Worker every week. These records are sent on to Local Authority Social Workers enabling them to fully understand &#8230; </p>
<p class="link-more"><a href="https://eastern-fostering-services.com/fostering-blog/fostering-good-habits-the-importance-of-record-keeping-in-fostering/" class="more-link">Continue reading<span class="screen-reader-text"> "Fostering good habits: the importance of record keeping in fostering."</span></a></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://eastern-fostering-services.com/fostering-blog/fostering-good-habits-the-importance-of-record-keeping-in-fostering/">Fostering good habits: the importance of record keeping in fostering.</a> appeared first on <a href="https://eastern-fostering-services.com">Eastern Fostering Services</a>.</p>
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<p>All foster carers who care for children through Eastern Fostering Services need to write a weekly report on the child/children they are fostering. These records are typed, protected with a password and sent to the Supervising Social Worker every week. These records are sent on to Local Authority Social Workers enabling them to fully understand what life is like for the children and how they can best support them at any given time.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-are-weekly-recordings-needed">Why are weekly recordings needed?</h3>



<p>Good and regular record keeping is important for many reasons:</p>



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Regular recordings as to the progress of the child in many areas of their development allow professionals to identify and advocate for the needs of the child. They may allow fostering professionals to observe trends in behaviour, the emotional state of the child, strategies that are beneficial or ineffective, the impact of events at school or in terms of family contact. These observations should help shape and refine the care package that is offered to the child and can identify problems and areas for improvement. Good quality, prompt recordings can allow for powerful advocacy of children’s needs.</li><li>Weekly recordings should capture any health concerns that might arise day to day. Having robust records can help identify health needs for children and means that carers and professionals can be responsive and proactive in ensuring children are physically healthy.</li><li>In producing detailed and timely recordings, carers can ensure that they get appropriate support in managing some of the more challenging aspects of fostering. Understanding the emotional health of children and the challenges they present to carers, ensures that Supervising Social Workers can have open conversations with foster carers about strategies which might help. Carers and social workers can use the recordings to secure additional emotional or mental health support to support children when they need it.</li><li>Recordings that log and celebrate the achievements of children and the progress they are making allow carers and professionals to acknowledge and praise children when they do well. Equally, children may wish to see their records at some stage in their life and it is important that they can see they were celebrated, noticed and praised for their achievements however big or small.</li><li>Weekly records alert professionals when there are safeguarding issues for the children. Foster carers should alert professionals immediately if there are concerns around safeguarding. This may include online safety, bullying, issues arising during family contact, drug or alcohol use, disclosures of harm or abuse either present or historic, involvement with the police, instances where child or young person has been missing, criminal or sexual exploitation, significant changes in behaviour. Anything of concern should be reported by the foster carer as soon as it comes to light to ensure that children are kept safe immediately.</li><li>Weekly recordings allow professionals to ensure that children have all their material needs catered to. Carers are required to note pocket money, savings and significant purchases they have made for the children.</li><li>Good record keeping also helps carers to protect themselves. By recording in detail, each day carers can demonstrate a chain of evidence in the event that children make allegations against them. Whilst this happens very rarely, foster carers can take some steps to protect themselves by noting all and any incidents and recording what was said and done at the time. Any incidents where carers have had to de-escalate situations or if they have had to physically intervene must be recorded fully and immediately. Any accidents that happen should also be reported immediately as the fostering agency is required by law to report these.</li></ul>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">What should foster carers expect to record?</h3>



<p>Each fostering provider will have their own guidance in place as to what and how foster carers should record. Here at Eastern Fostering Services, we ask carers to consider the following areas relating to the care they are giving:</p>



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li><strong>Education. </strong>Foster carers should note how school or college is going. They should record the highlights and difficulties. If homework has been set, has it been completed? Is any extra support needed? If the child is not in education (e.g., due to illness, exclusion, etc) foster carers should detail and include date/s.</li><li><strong>Health. </strong>If there are health concerns, foster carers would need to record these and list actions they have taken. This should include GP, dentist, optician and other health appointments, accidents, illness, injuries and infectious diseases. If medication is prescribed/given, foster carers need to state name of medication and dosage amount given.</li><li><strong>Emotional and behavioural development. </strong>foster carers must record whether there are any behavioural difficulties, and the strategies they are using to manage them. Is the child showing signs of healthy emotional development or might extra support might be needed? There are robust processes in place to capture and examine any instances where physical intervention, e.g., restraint has been necessary.</li><li><strong>Identity. </strong>Foster carers need to consider how children feel about themselves. &nbsp;Do you think they have good self-esteem? What might be affecting this? Are there any particular cultural needs or extra needs that have to be addressed?</li><li><strong>Family and Social Relationships. </strong>Some children in foster care can struggle with relationships so it’s a good measure of their progress and an important identifier of their needs to understand how they respond to family contact and how positive their peer relationships are.</li><li><strong>Social Skills and Involvement. </strong>Has the child been to any clubs or taken part in any interests or hobbies this week? Is there anything that they have expressed an interest in? It’s important to note any concerns that the foster carer has and what they might be able to do to help.</li><li><strong>Self-Care skills. </strong>An important role of the foster carer is to support children to develop life skills. Is the child able to do age-appropriate things for themselves? If not, how can the foster carer help them to develop?</li><li><strong>Personal Items. </strong>Foster carers should record what they have bought for the child: Clothes, toys, or personal items. How much pocket money did they get this week? How much savings were put aside this week? This ensures that carers are accountable for using the allowance they receive to respond to the material needs of the child.</li><li><strong>Safe Caring. </strong>Carers must record any child protection concerns they may have. Is it possible that the child is being bullied? Have there been any allegations made by the child or has anything happened or been said that concerns you as a foster carer?</li><li><strong>Carers also must record </strong>If a child/young person went missing/absconded/unauthorised absence, a serious offence by or against a child/young person or incident involving police to the home, and if a complaint is made by or concerning the child.</li></ul>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">It sounds like foster carers are expected to do a lot! How do they remember everything?</h3>



<p>One big advantage of producing detailed, positive and truthful records is that they allow foster carers time and space to reflect. Sometimes the very act of writing down what is happening can afford carers perspective on the situation and enable creativity in their strategies. It can also be therapeutic when things are tricky. Keeping records also allows foster carers to keep sight of progress and maintain positivity.</p>



<p>Many foster carers find that keeping a daily journal or diary helps them to remember everything and is used as a reference tool when writing up the weekly records. The daily journal can help the carers to note and process their own emotions and reactions to circumstances and is a valuable coping strategy. Whilst everything that is written in the daily journal won’t be appropriate for a record keeping on the child, it is a useful exercise for foster carers.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Striking the right tone.</h3>



<p>Foster carers, like any other human, sometimes feel frustrated, angry, hurt and demotivated. It is really important that foster carers are able to separate and process their own feelings and reactions so that they can report professionally and factually.</p>



<p>Being self-aware and seeking support from your fostering team is important as it allows you to vent and process.</p>



<p>Before sitting down to write recordings, many foster carers find it useful to imagine their child reading them (which of course they may well one day want to). Recordings should be factual and observational and should not be peppered with personal opinion or judgements. Carers may well have an idea of what is behind behaviour and can express these opinions and strategies they are considering, after all they often know the child best. However, it is important that recordings are non-judgmental and well balanced.</p>



<p>For more information on what it takes to be a foster carer, we have lots of resources on our <a href="https://eastern-fostering-services.com/apply-to-foster/">website</a>. You can look us up on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/EasternFosteringServices">Facebook</a> or <a href="https://eastern-fostering-services.com/contact-us/">contact us</a> with your questions.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://eastern-fostering-services.com/fostering-blog/fostering-good-habits-the-importance-of-record-keeping-in-fostering/">Fostering good habits: the importance of record keeping in fostering.</a> appeared first on <a href="https://eastern-fostering-services.com">Eastern Fostering Services</a>.</p>
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		<title>What Does It Mean To Be A Foster Parent?</title>
		<link>https://eastern-fostering-services.com/fostering-blog/what-does-it-mean-to-be-a-foster-parent/</link>
					<comments>https://eastern-fostering-services.com/fostering-blog/what-does-it-mean-to-be-a-foster-parent/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Lucy Stevens]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 03 Mar 2022 11:00:30 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Fostering Blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[applying to be a foster carer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[becoming a foster carer]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[Eastern Fostering Services]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[foster care]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fostering]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fostering Cambridgeshire]]></category>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://eastern-fostering-services.com/?p=1672</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Foster parenting in the UK can often seem like a complex and difficult thing to get your head around. From whether you can even foster in the first place (hint: check our FAQs and you might be surprised) to what it actually means emotionally to be a foster parent. To foster a child or children &#8230; </p>
<p class="link-more"><a href="https://eastern-fostering-services.com/fostering-blog/what-does-it-mean-to-be-a-foster-parent/" class="more-link">Continue reading<span class="screen-reader-text"> "What Does It Mean To Be A Foster Parent?"</span></a></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://eastern-fostering-services.com/fostering-blog/what-does-it-mean-to-be-a-foster-parent/">What Does It Mean To Be A Foster Parent?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://eastern-fostering-services.com">Eastern Fostering Services</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p>Foster parenting in the UK can often seem like a complex and difficult thing to get your head around. From whether you can even foster in the first place (hint: check <a href="https://eastern-fostering-services.com/frequently-asked-fostering-questions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">our FAQs</a> and you might be surprised) to what it actually means emotionally to be a foster parent. </p>



<p>To foster a child or children is a wonderful thing; not only are you providing love, care and support but you&#8217;re giving young people the chance to have a stable and enriched upbringing, something they may have been lacking previously. So what are the main responsibilities when it comes to fostering a child?</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-does-it-mean-to-be-a-foster-parent">What does it mean to be a foster parent?</h2>



<p>There are challenges with looking after and raising any child. When it comes to fostering, the first thing you need to provide is compassion and love; it sounds simple but we&#8217;re looking for people who can really help bring out the best in a child. You will, of course, receive training and support from Eastern Fostering Services on your journey but an open mind and an open heart is the most important thing.</p>



<p>Many children in the fostering system might not have had the same experiences as other children and this can be a wonderful and enriching part of your journey as you learn and explore together with the child. From baking cakes and cookies for the first time to taking them to the playground, or helping older children to learn independence skills, there are many activities you can do with your foster child that will open up possibilities for them. To allow a child to safely explore and flourish is what it really means to be a foster parent.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-personal-stories">Personal stories </h2>



<p>You might also be wondering what it&#8217;s like to be a foster parent. We have a multitude of carers who have happily shared their own stories about what it means to be a foster parent.</p>



<p>Jim recently spoke to us about fostering with Eastern Fostering Services.</p>



<div class="wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile"><figure class="wp-block-media-text__media"><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" width="500" height="500" src="https://eastern-fostering-services.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/fostering-community-jim.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1675 size-full" srcset="https://eastern-fostering-services.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/fostering-community-jim.jpg 500w, https://eastern-fostering-services.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/fostering-community-jim-300x300.jpg 300w, https://eastern-fostering-services.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/fostering-community-jim-150x150.jpg 150w" sizes="(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px" /></figure><div class="wp-block-media-text__content">
<p class="has-large-font-size"></p>



<p></p>
</div></div>



<p>&#8220;We’ve been with Eastern Fostering Services since we started fostering. What impressed me from the start was the pastoral care they give to foster parents. It’s not always easy to foster, but the staff are always on hand to give support and advice. They put the interests of the child first, of course, but in the context of supporting foster parents to give the best care possible in the prevailing circumstances. There’s always plenty of training. And if we’ve felt the need for any specialist help, Eastern Fostering Services have been there to provide it. We’ve also benefited from a great network with other carers in the area which Eastern Fostering Services is instrumental in supporting. Finally, they have supported our wider family, including our children, and I think that has helped us make a success of fostering (so far).&#8221;</p>



<p><a href="https://eastern-fostering-services.com/meet-our-fostering-community/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">You can read more of our personal fostering stories and meet our community here.</a></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-do-i-have-what-it-takes-to-be-a-foster-parent">Do I have what it takes to be a foster parent?</h2>



<p>There are questions you&#8217;ll need to ask yourself about whether you have what it takes to be a foster parent and whether it&#8217;s right for you. </p>



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li><strong>Are you a patient person?</strong> It sounds simple but patience is key when it comes to foster parenting as you explore and experience different challenges. Whether it be the perils of getting your head around maths homework (we&#8217;ve all been there) to dealing with a long term health condition, being able to stay cool and calm under pressure while showing unwavering love is a necessity. </li></ul>



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li><strong>Do you have a solid support network around you?</strong> From friends to family and even colleagues, the fostering process isn&#8217;t something anyone should go through alone. As well as support from us, we&#8217;d suggest you have a strong support network on hand who can share the highs and lows with you. An understanding workplace is a must as you take leave to adapt to a life with a child and all its tribulations to family who can rally around and help blow up balloons and make delicious cakes to celebrate a child&#8217;s birthday. And any parent is allowed to let off steam so make sure you&#8217;ve got a best friend on hand to encourage and cheer you on along the way.</li></ul>



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li><strong>Can you deal with difficult subjects including child abuse, sexual exploitation and emotional abuse?</strong> As a foster parent you&#8217;ll be dealing with children from all sorts of different backgrounds so it&#8217;s important you get to grips with a range of subjects, all with our support of course. Children you take on may have experienced abuse at the hands of their parents or other people close to them and it&#8217;s important you can talk openly and honestly about heavy subjects. Many children may still be feeling the burden of abuse and/or exploitation, and will do for the rest of their lives. Remember, though, you are never alone in this and you can always <a href="https://eastern-fostering-services.com/contact-us/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">contact us</a> with any questions or concerns.</li></ul>



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li><strong>Are you resilient?</strong> Resilience comes in many forms, it&#8217;s just about finding your balance and where your strengths lie. For example, resilience to you may look like being able to keep calm and carry on as the saying goes, or it may look like never missing reading a child a bedtime story no matter how much work you&#8217;ve got on. </li></ul>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" src="https://eastern-fostering-services.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/max-van-den-oetelaar-buymYm3RQ3U-unsplash-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1706" srcset="https://eastern-fostering-services.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/max-van-den-oetelaar-buymYm3RQ3U-unsplash-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://eastern-fostering-services.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/max-van-den-oetelaar-buymYm3RQ3U-unsplash-300x200.jpg 300w, https://eastern-fostering-services.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/max-van-den-oetelaar-buymYm3RQ3U-unsplash-768x512.jpg 768w, https://eastern-fostering-services.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/max-van-den-oetelaar-buymYm3RQ3U-unsplash-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://eastern-fostering-services.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/max-van-den-oetelaar-buymYm3RQ3U-unsplash-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https://eastern-fostering-services.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/max-van-den-oetelaar-buymYm3RQ3U-unsplash-1568x1045.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li><strong>Could you open up your home and your heart to a child who needs you?</strong> Opening up your world to include a child or children in an inclusive space is so important to the fostering process. While we&#8217;re not expecting you to turn your home into a fully fledged two storey nursery, it&#8217;s important you&#8217;re willing to create a cosy space full of love. </li><li><strong>Do you have a deep-rooted desire to make a positive difference in the lives of children?</strong> This is the most important thing. You&#8217;re dealing with children who may have had difficult backgrounds and never experienced a positive role model in their lives- this is where you step in. From your work ethic to the way you express love and the every day details that make up the tapestry of care you&#8217;re offering, you need to have a desire to leave a lasting impression.</li></ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-one-final-thing">One final thing&#8230;</h2>



<p>The most important thing about being a foster parent is that you can give yourself wholeheartedly to fostering. After all, the best thing about fostering is the relationship and bond between you and the child which offers them a secure base from which to thrive. If you want more information, there&#8217;s a plethora <a href="https://eastern-fostering-services.com/frequently-asked-fostering-questions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">on our website</a> or you can <a href="https://www.facebook.com/EasternFosteringServices" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">contact us via Facebook to find out more.</a></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://eastern-fostering-services.com/fostering-blog/what-does-it-mean-to-be-a-foster-parent/">What Does It Mean To Be A Foster Parent?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://eastern-fostering-services.com">Eastern Fostering Services</a>.</p>
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		<title>Could you foster a child with Autism?</title>
		<link>https://eastern-fostering-services.com/fostering-blog/could-you-foster-a-child-with-autistic-spectrum-disorder/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Veronica Jones]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 23 Feb 2022 18:10:17 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Fequently Asked Questions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fostering Blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[applying to be a foster carer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[becoming a foster carer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Cambridgeshire]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Eastern Fostering Services]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[foster care]]></category>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://eastern-fostering-services.com/?p=1691</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Fostering a child with Autism (Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD)) can be an amazing and rewarding experience, but can come with certain challenges and it can therefore sometimes prove difficult to find foster carers who understand the best way to look after children with autism. What is ASD? Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition, which is characterised &#8230; </p>
<p class="link-more"><a href="https://eastern-fostering-services.com/fostering-blog/could-you-foster-a-child-with-autistic-spectrum-disorder/" class="more-link">Continue reading<span class="screen-reader-text"> "Could you foster a child with Autism?"</span></a></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://eastern-fostering-services.com/fostering-blog/could-you-foster-a-child-with-autistic-spectrum-disorder/">Could you foster a child with Autism?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://eastern-fostering-services.com">Eastern Fostering Services</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p>Fostering a child with Autism (Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD)) can be an amazing and rewarding experience, but can come with certain challenges and it can therefore sometimes prove difficult to find foster carers who understand the best way to look after children with autism.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-is-asd">What is ASD?</h2>



<p>Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition, which is characterised by difficulties with social interaction and communication and often includes repetitive behaviours. However, because autism is a spectrum condition it affects children in different ways. So, whilst some children will need intensive support others may just need clearer communication and a little longer to do things.</p>



<p>Whilst no two children with autism are the same, there are some common characteristics including –</p>



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Difficulty reading other people, recognising their feelings and intentions and difficulty in expressing emotions.</li><li>The need for routines so they know what is going to happen next.</li><li>Over or under sensitivity to sounds, light, temperature, tastes or smells which can be overwhelming and sometimes lead to sensory overload.</li><li>Highly focussed interests and hobbies which can be pleasurable but may also lead to neglecting other areas of life.</li><li>Suffering with anxiety which can, in some cases, lead to meltdowns involving tantrums or complete withdrawal.</li></ul>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Fostering considerations</h3>



<p>The world can sometimes seem confusing for children with autism. For those coming into foster care, a sudden change of environment and routine can be extremely scary and distressing. It’s important that foster carers get as much information as possible from social workers about the child’s routines, likes and dislikes and any known triggers for behaviours. This will help the child feel comfortable and secure in their environment. Any sudden changes of routine can lead to heightened anxiety and should be avoided if possible. Moreover, it can be comforting for children to be allowed to keep their familiar belongings close. Foster carers need to get to know the child but also need to accept that this may take time and patience.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Could I foster a child with ASD?</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img decoding="async" src="https://eastern-fostering-services.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/asd-parent-and-child.jpg" alt="Autistic child and foster parent" class="wp-image-1696" width="900" height="601" srcset="https://eastern-fostering-services.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/asd-parent-and-child.jpg 900w, https://eastern-fostering-services.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/asd-parent-and-child-300x200.jpg 300w, https://eastern-fostering-services.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/asd-parent-and-child-768x513.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" /></figure>



<p>Whilst prior experience of caring for a child with additional needs is advantageous, it is not compulsory. The main qualities needed for caring for children with ASD are:</p>



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>the ability to nurture</li><li>patience</li><li>empathy</li><li>understanding</li><li>resilience</li><li>time to commit.</li></ul>



<p>&nbsp;A child with a disability is a child first and foremost and even small achievements can be celebrated!</p>



<p>If you foster a child with ASD you will not be alone. We work closely with our foster carers to provide specialist support, training and access to therapists. So, if you feel you could help support a child with ASD get in touch by contacting us on 01206 299775, email us at <a href="mailto:team@easternfosteringservices.com">team@easternfosteringservices.com</a>, message us on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/EasternFosteringServices">Facebook</a> or contact us via our <a href="https://eastern-fostering-services.com/fostering-documentation/">website</a> where you will also find lots of useful information and resources.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://eastern-fostering-services.com/fostering-blog/could-you-foster-a-child-with-autistic-spectrum-disorder/">Could you foster a child with Autism?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://eastern-fostering-services.com">Eastern Fostering Services</a>.</p>
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		<title>Can I foster if I…?</title>
		<link>https://eastern-fostering-services.com/fequently-asked-questions/can-i-foster-if-i-part-two/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Lucy Stevens]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 08 Feb 2022 17:56:57 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Fequently Asked Questions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fostering Blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[applying to be a foster carer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[becoming a foster carer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Cambridgeshire]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Eastern Fostering Services]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[foster care]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fostering]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fostering Cambridgeshire]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fostering Essex]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[Suffolk]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://eastern-fostering-services.com/?p=1659</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Last week we looked at some of the common misconceptions that people hold about who can and who can’t foster. This week we’ll look at some other things prospective foster carers ask us when they’re trying to decide if they are suited to fostering. Do you have other questions about fostering? You can put your &#8230; </p>
<p class="link-more"><a href="https://eastern-fostering-services.com/fequently-asked-questions/can-i-foster-if-i-part-two/" class="more-link">Continue reading<span class="screen-reader-text"> "Can I foster if I…?"</span></a></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://eastern-fostering-services.com/fequently-asked-questions/can-i-foster-if-i-part-two/">Can I foster if I…?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://eastern-fostering-services.com">Eastern Fostering Services</a>.</p>
]]></description>
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<p>Last week we looked at some of the common misconceptions that people hold about who can and who can’t foster. This week we’ll look at some other things prospective foster carers ask us when they’re trying to decide if they are suited to fostering.</p>



<div class="schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block"><div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1644342901762"><strong class="schema-faq-question">Can I foster if I haven’t had my own children?</strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer">You don’t need to have had your own children to be able to foster. It’s clear that having experience of caring for children and knowledge of child development is crucial when it comes to fostering. However, people gain experience of children and young people in many ways: through work, through volunteering, through family and friends.</p> </div> <div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1644342915947"><strong class="schema-faq-question">Can I foster if I have had a difficult childhood?</strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer">Yes! Foster carers are motivated by a range of factors, they may want to give something back from a position of relative privilege or they may want to share what they have learned through adversity. Often, carers who have had challenges to overcome, whether in childhood or adulthood, are able to understand and empathise with the experiences many of our children have lived through. Children can detect authenticity straight away and a carer who has experienced adversity can also offer great hope and encouragement to children and young people.</p> </div> <div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1644342917871"><strong class="schema-faq-question">Can I foster if I don’t drive?</strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer">This will largely depend on where you live. As a foster carer you will need to be able to meet all the needs of the children you care for, including providing transport to school, extra-curricular activities and potentially to facilitate contact. You will also need to be able to attend the professionals’ meetings that take place regularly. Not being able to drive would only be a real issue if you do not live in an area that is well served and connected by public transport.</p> </div> <div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1644342918869"><strong class="schema-faq-question"><strong>Can I foster if I have pets?</strong></strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer">Yes! Our foster carers love their pets, and they form an important part of the fostering household. Many children find pets therapeutic and comforting and they can really help children to settle and feel at home. During the fostering assessment, your pet will also be assessed to ensure that they pose no risk to children. Some of the children we care for might not be very gentle or kind to animals because of their own life experiences. We always ask a referring local authority whether a child poses a risk to animals before we match them with carers.</p> </div> <div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1644342919794"><strong class="schema-faq-question">Can I foster if I claim benefits?</strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer">Yes, you can. Foster carers receive an allowance for fostering. This allowance is generally not included as income when it comes to calculating benefit payments. There is also a tax benefit to carers which often means that their taxable income from fostering is zero.</p> </div> <div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1644342920677"><strong class="schema-faq-question">Can I foster if I have been in foster care myself?</strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer">Yes. As is the case for all foster carers, the assessment will look at your resilience and your potential areas of vulnerability. We know that all children can trigger things in us at some points in our lives, but the assessment process should afford carers the opportunity to predict what these triggers might be and to explore our reactions to them. Foster carers who have experienced the care system themselves can offer rare and precious insight. Your fostering provider would want to establish that you are at peace with your life experiences and that your experiences have enabled you to offer something valuable to fostering. As always, we recommend you choose a fostering provider who will give you full and comprehensive support.</p> </div> </div>



<p>Do you have other questions about fostering? You can put your questions to us by emailing us at <a href="mailto:team@easternfosteringservices.com">team@easternfosteringservices.com</a>, message us on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/EasternFosteringServices">Facebook</a>, call us on 01206 299775. You can also contact us via our <a href="https://eastern-fostering-services.com/apply-to-foster/">website</a>.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://eastern-fostering-services.com/fequently-asked-questions/can-i-foster-if-i-part-two/">Can I foster if I…?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://eastern-fostering-services.com">Eastern Fostering Services</a>.</p>
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		<title>Can I foster if I&#8230;</title>
		<link>https://eastern-fostering-services.com/fequently-asked-questions/can-i-foster-if-i/</link>
					<comments>https://eastern-fostering-services.com/fequently-asked-questions/can-i-foster-if-i/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Lucy Stevens]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 03 Feb 2022 15:45:59 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Fequently Asked Questions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fostering Blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[applying to be a foster carer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[becoming a foster carer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Cambridgeshire]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[foster care]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fostering]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fostering Cambridgeshire]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[Suffolk]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://eastern-fostering-services.com/?p=1644</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>There are still many myths surrounding fostering which we would really like to dispel. In this week’s blog, we’ll look at some of the personal circumstances that you may think are an obstacle to fostering but which, in fact, don’t have to be. Do you have other questions about fostering? You can put your questions &#8230; </p>
<p class="link-more"><a href="https://eastern-fostering-services.com/fequently-asked-questions/can-i-foster-if-i/" class="more-link">Continue reading<span class="screen-reader-text"> "Can I foster if I&#8230;"</span></a></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://eastern-fostering-services.com/fequently-asked-questions/can-i-foster-if-i/">Can I foster if I&#8230;</a> appeared first on <a href="https://eastern-fostering-services.com">Eastern Fostering Services</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p>There are still many myths surrounding fostering which we would really like to dispel. In this week’s blog, we’ll look at some of the personal circumstances that you may think are an obstacle to fostering but which, in fact, don’t have to be.</p>



<div class="schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block"><div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1643903047135"><strong class="schema-faq-question">Can I foster if I don’t own my own home?</strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer">In short, yes you can! Fostering providers will want to ensure that, wherever you live and whether you own or rent your property, you have stability. Many foster carers rent their properties rather than own them. What is more important is that you have a spare, dedicated bedroom available for fostering.</p> </div> <div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1643903057187"><strong class="schema-faq-question">Can I foster if I have a disability?</strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer">Having a disability does not have to prevent you from fostering. Fostering providers will need to satisfy their panel that a foster carer has the physical, emotional and mental capacity to foster. During your assessment, a medical report will be produced by your GP. This will form part of the evidence of your capacity to foster. It’s important to note that fostering providers must treat everyone without prejudice and communicate in an open, transparent manner.</p> </div> <div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1643903075039"><strong class="schema-faq-question"><strong>Can I foster if I am transgender?</strong></strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer">Yes! Your gender does not determine your capacity or suitability to foster.</p> </div> <div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1643903079801"><strong class="schema-faq-question"><strong>Can I foster if I am a single man?</strong></strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer">Absolutely. Men can bring valuable skills, qualities and insight to fostering and are often highly valuable and influential role models. Gender and marital status do not influence your suitability to foster.</p> </div> <div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1643903080582"><strong class="schema-faq-question"><strong>Can I foster if I work?</strong></strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer">We always recommend you speak to the fostering provider early on if you are working or intend to carry on working when you foster. Whether you can work or not will be determined by the age and profile of the child you are fostering and the nature of your work. Again, the important factor is your capacity and availability. If your child is in school and you work part-time, there may be no reason why you couldn’t continue to work. Fostering providers will need to ensure that the needs of the child are prioritised and that you are available for professionals meetings and training and development.</p> </div> <div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1643903081400"><strong class="schema-faq-question"><strong>Can I foster if I have a criminal conviction?</strong></strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer">Yes you can. Legally, only convictions relating to offences against children or sexual offences would preclude you from fostering, however violent crimes will also prevent you fostering. It’s really important that you disclose any and all convictions or cautions to your fostering service at the point of application. The fostering provider will perform enhanced DBS checks on you and will wish to explore your convictions with you in depth.</p> </div> <div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1643903114438"><strong class="schema-faq-question"><strong>Can I foster if I have mental health problems?</strong></strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer">Fostering providers will request a medical report as part of your fostering assessment. Any relevant physical and mental health conditions will be shared as part of this process. To foster you need to be able to demonstrate resilience and an ability to commit. It will be these criteria that Fosteing providers will be interested in satisfying. If you have a mental health condition it should not automaically rule you out of fostering, however your fostering assessor will want to explore this with you and will determine with you your capacity to foster. Any prospective foster carer is entitled to be treated fairly, without prejudice and should expect honest, open and clear communication.</p> </div> <div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1643903125208"><strong class="schema-faq-question"><strong>Can I foster if I follow a religion?</strong></strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer">Of course! Your religion should not determine your ability to foster. As a foster carer, you will need to respect and promote the spiritual needs of the child in your care. You will need to be sure that you could support a child with differing beliefs from yours ethically, morally and spiritually.</p> </div> </div>



<p>Do you have other questions about fostering? You can put your questions to us by emailing us at <a href="mailto:team@easternfosteringservices.com">team@easternfosteringservices.com</a>, message us on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/EasternFosteringServices">Facebook</a>, call us on 01206 299775. You can also contact us via our <a href="https://eastern-fostering-services.com/apply-to-foster/">website</a>.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://eastern-fostering-services.com/fequently-asked-questions/can-i-foster-if-i/">Can I foster if I&#8230;</a> appeared first on <a href="https://eastern-fostering-services.com">Eastern Fostering Services</a>.</p>
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		<title>Am I too old to foster?</title>
		<link>https://eastern-fostering-services.com/fequently-asked-questions/am-i-too-old-to-foster/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Lucy Stevens]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 28 Jan 2022 17:28:32 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[FAQs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fequently Asked Questions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fostering Blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[applying to be a foster carer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[becoming a foster carer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Eastern Fostering Services]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fostering]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fostering Cambridgeshire]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fostering Essex]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fostering Suffolk]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://eastern-fostering-services.com/?p=1635</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Here at Eastern Fostering Services, we often hear people say, “I’d love to foster but I’m too old!” But are you? The age guidelines for fostering state that a foster carer needs to be above the age of 21, these guidelines tend to be set by individual fostering providers so it is always worth checking. &#8230; </p>
<p class="link-more"><a href="https://eastern-fostering-services.com/fequently-asked-questions/am-i-too-old-to-foster/" class="more-link">Continue reading<span class="screen-reader-text"> "Am I too old to foster?"</span></a></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://eastern-fostering-services.com/fequently-asked-questions/am-i-too-old-to-foster/">Am I too old to foster?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://eastern-fostering-services.com">Eastern Fostering Services</a>.</p>
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<p>Here at Eastern Fostering Services, we often hear people say, “I’d love to foster but I’m too old!” But are you?</p>



<p>The age guidelines for fostering state that a foster carer needs to be above the age of 21, these guidelines tend to be set by individual fostering providers so it is always worth checking. It’s important to know that there are actually no legal limits set on age, so in theory anyone over the age of 18 can foster. There is no upper age limit for fostering.</p>



<p>When assessing people’s capacity to foster, what is more important than age is the life experience that a propsective foster carer can bring to the table. If a fostering provider rejects an application to foster from a young adult over the age of 18, they need to explain and justfy their reasons for doing so.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-i-m-over-60-is-that-not-too-old-to-foster">I’m over 60; is that not too old to foster?</h3>



<p>There are many amazing foster carers who fall into the 60-70 year-old age group. Foster carers who are older have a wealth of experience and can offer so much to a child. What’s more, children and young people often relate and respond to older carers very well. Many children and young people tell us that some of the most important and positive relationships in their lives have been with grandparents, and this can set the process of bonding and trust-building off to an excellent start for child and carer alike.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-numbers-don-t-interest-us-you-do">Numbers don’t interest us, you do!</h3>



<p>As long as you’re fit, healthy and have the physical and emotional capacity to foster, we really don’t mind how old you are.</p>



<p>We’re far more interested in how you could make a difference in the life of a child. In short, we’re more interested in your experiences, skills and personal qualities than we are in the number of years it took you to gain them.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-are-the-qualities-you-look-for-in-foster-carers">What are the qualities you look for in foster carers?</h3>



<p>We know that the children who come through our door are a varied group. They are all shapes and sizes. They come from all backgrounds. They have all manner of emotional, educational, physical and spiritual needs. They have their own likes and dislikes. They have a whole range of talents and potential. Why should our foster carers be any different?</p>



<p>We need a <strong>variety</strong> of carers from all genders, ethnicities, religions, and sexuality. We need this variety in order to be able to make the best matches for the diverse children we care for. Matching children and foster carers well gives the fostering relationship the best opportunity of flourishing which brings positive outcomes for the children and rewarding fostering to the carers.</p>



<p>The best carers are those who are able to provide attuned care to children and young people. This requires a high degree of <strong>emotional intelligence, empathy, warmth and commitment</strong>. A foster carer needs to be able to put themselves snugly in the shoes of the children they are caring for.</p>



<p>Foster carers have to work with a range of professionals who are there to support the child. Therefore it is critical that foster carers are able to <strong>communicate and work well with others</strong>. Having experience of working as part of a team is useful in this regard. Communication is central to fostering, not just with professionals but with the children themselves.</p>



<p>Having <strong>experience of caring for or working with children</strong> is another very useful quality to have. It may be that you have raised your own children, step children or been involved with your grandchildren. It may be that you work with children in your professional life or as a volunteer.</p>



<p>But without doubt the most important thing we look for in a foster carer is <strong>authenticity</strong>. You must have a sincere and deep-rooted desire to positively change the life of a child. To be that person who stands by them and supports them, who advocates for them and who understands them. Without this desire, fostering will be very difficult to sustain (and also the children will sniff you out immediately!).</p>



<p>So, you see, it’s really not about age at all. Fostering is about who you are, what you bring and why.</p>



<p>If you’d like to foster and wish to talk to us further, you can contact us via our <a href="https://eastern-fostering-services.com/apply-to-foster/">website</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/EasternFosteringServices">Facebook</a> page or email at <a href="mailto:team@easternfosteringservices.com">team@easternfosteringservices.com</a> You can also check out some of our short videos on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZ_HVYgvCYmCHf_e_WjyQPQ">YouTube</a> which cover some of the many questions we get asked about fostering.</p>



<p>If you would like to speak to us, you can call us on 01206 299775.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://eastern-fostering-services.com/fequently-asked-questions/am-i-too-old-to-foster/">Am I too old to foster?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://eastern-fostering-services.com">Eastern Fostering Services</a>.</p>
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