Sandra

Sandra is one of our senior supervising social workers. She has many years’ experience supporting carers and children and she is a fierce advocate of both.

“I have been part of the Eastern Fostering Services community for nearly 7 years, as a supervising social worker. I grew up in a fostering family from the age of 6 months and my parents were LA foster carers. Fostering was very different then with no Independent Fostering Agencies and very little support for carers. Eastern Fostering Services offers amazing support and I’m sure anyone who fosters for us feels part of a close knit, supportive family…….I certainly do.”

Rachel

Rachel is an important part of the Eastern Fostering Team. She works in the administration team and is responsible, amongst other things, for all the carer annual reviews. A mammoth task!

“This is what I enjoy and value most about being part of a Fostering community

Finding the right family to match the children’s needs

Overcoming obstacles

Seeing the difference it makes to children’s lives

Teamwork – all helping each other, working towards the same goal

Enjoying seeing the children being happy

Realising the difference one person can make

Identifying ways we can help

Noticing the small changes

Giving every child a safe, stable and loving home”

Sam

Sam is one of our Supervising Social Workers. She supports many of our Essex foster carers and children and does a brilliant job.

“Because we are a small team and because of the ethos we subscribe to, the whole team is encouraged to think about the children in everything we do. We are not only encouraged but expected to bring feedback, thoughts and ideas to the group. How can we improve things for carers and children? How can we be more child focussed and think outside of the box when it comes to solutions for the obstacles carers and children may face? It’s in this way that I think Eastern Fostering Services is part of a community that really adds value to the children and the carers that we look after.”

Sarah

Sarah is often referred to as the lynchpin of Eastern Fostering Services. She oversees all the adminstration associated with fostering and generally keeps the whole team functioning.

“I have been part of a fostering community for over 10 years and love it!  It is wonderful to see new families embark on their fostering journey and also to admire the dedication of our experienced foster carers. It is a privilege to see the children in our care given the opportunity to thrive and be happy. I feel grateful that I am able to be a part of our fostering community.”

Yvette 

Yvette is another key part of the admin team, helping keep us all in good working order!

“I love being part of a team that makes a difference to children’s lives. Although I am part of the admin team (and therefore do not have direct contact with the children) I feel as though I am doing something worthwhile.”

Paul

Paul is our children and young people’s participation worker. He does some really valuable work building relationships with the children and young people, supporting them and offering both carers and children some space and time with someone who listens to them and advocates for them. Recently, Paul took one of our children to watch her favourite football team play. What he says demonstrates perfectly why our fostering community is so important:

“I took B to the football match yesterday and to say she was overjoyed was an understatement! She is naturally shy but over the last few months has blossomed and really come out of her shell.

She did ask me to thank Eastern Fostering Services for making this happen. She may not say in-person but she was so grateful and overwhelmed that she could visit her favourite team (and they won convincingly!)

This is what the Eastern Fostering Services community is all about!

But the last word has to go to one of our young people who perhaps puts it best. When asked why she likes being part of our fostering community and why it is important, she replied,

“Because it’s a vibe!”

It definitely is.

If you’d like to be a part of “the vibe” you can contact us at team@easternfosteringservices.com, call us on 01206 299775, contact us through our website or message us on Facebook.

The post What do Fostering Communities mean to us at Eastern Fostering Services? appeared first on Eastern Fostering Services.

In the UK, there are now more children than ever in need of foster carers. Children in Essex, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire are no exception.

Our children need local foster carers who can keep them in education, in local communities and near to the people who are important to them.

Which children need foster carers?

There are children in every age group who are in need of a nurturing foster carer. From young sibling groups, teenagers, mother and babies, children with additional needs and unaccompanied children. The list goes on. By far the most typical children are sibling groups and young people between the ages of 10 to 16.

What does it take to foster?

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need qualifications to foster. We look for more general qualities such as empathy, warmth, resilience and passion. In fact, we produced a short film outlining the qualities foster carers should have. You can view the film here.

What are you waiting for?

It could be that you are the perfect match for a child in need. If you want to know more about fostering and you live in Essex, Suffolk or Cambridgeshire, call us on 01206 299775, email us at team@easternfosteringservices.com or follow us on Facebook.

Come and meet us!

You can come and meet the Eastern Fostering Services team and our carers at one of our fostering coffee mornings. Details of all events can be found on our Facebook page. And don’t forget we’ve put loads of information about fostering on our website, so do take a look.

The post Foster carers needed in Essex, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire appeared first on Eastern Fostering Services.

Whether you’re invested in the fostering process already, just starting out on your journey or you’re curious about fostering, Foster Care Fortnight 2022 is just the ticket for you to explore this community more and make the most of it.

Foster Care Fortnight 2022 is, as you’d imagine, a fortnight dedicated to raising awareness of fostering across the UK. Taking place annually, each campaign is delivered by leading fostering charity The Fostering Network. Created back in 1997, the awareness campaign aims to shed light on the need for more foster carers. From disabled children to siblings, unaccompanied asylum seeking children and older children, the campaign covers every area of fostering.

Why is Foster Care Fortnight 2022 so important?

This year, more than ever, we need Foster Care Fortnight. From a global pandemic to wars across the world, children are being separated from their birth families and put in a position of needing foster families more than ever. Foster Care Fortnight 2022 will shine a light on the incredible work done in recent years by foster families around the UK and show you how you can make a huge impact in the lives of any children you may choose to foster.

When is Foster Care Fortnight 2022?

Foster Care Fortnight will take place between 9th-22nd May with a theme of fostering communities. The theme will help put a focus on the resources we’ve all used over the past two years to help build up our incredible support network of foster carers and the community we’ve created to help aid the fostering experience as a whole.

How can I get involved with Foster Care Fortnight?

There are many ways you can get involved with Foster Care Fortnight. First off, if you’re thinking about becoming a foster carer then you can contact us- no question is too silly, no query too big for our dedicated team. Secondly, you can share your experiences on social media about your fostering community and tell your fostering story; the more we raise awareness, the more children we can find safe and secure foster homes for.

Over the past couple of years, we’ve taken part in the campaign in different ways. Check out what we did in 2020 and 2021 here.

How can I read more about Foster Care Fortnight?

Like and follow our Facebook page, we’ll be sharing lots of information for you.

You can visit The Fostering Network’s official website to find out exactly what they’re up to and for more information on the brilliant fostering community. From celebrities to MPs, so many people will be getting involved with Foster Care Fortnight so it’s just up to you to make sure you play a part in this life changing campaign!

The post Foster Care Fortnight 2022 appeared first on Eastern Fostering Services.

Why are weekly recordings needed?

Good and regular record keeping is important for many reasons:

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

What should foster carers expect to record?

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:

• Education. 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.
• Health. 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.
• Emotional and behavioural development. 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.
• Identity. Foster carers need to consider how children feel about themselves.  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?
• Family and Social Relationships. 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.
• Social Skills and Involvement. 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.
• Self-Care skills. 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?
• Personal Items. 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.
• Safe Caring. 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?
• Carers also must record 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.

It sounds like foster carers are expected to do a lot! How do they remember everything?

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.

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.

Striking the right tone.

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.

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

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.

For more information on what it takes to be a foster carer, we have lots of resources on our website. You can look us up on Facebook or contact us with your questions.

The post Fostering good habits: the importance of record keeping in fostering. appeared first on Eastern Fostering Services.

To foster a child or children is a wonderful thing; not only are you providing love, care and support but you’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?

What does it mean to be a foster parent?

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’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.

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.

Personal stories

You might also be wondering what it’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.

Jim recently spoke to us about fostering with Eastern Fostering Services.

“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).”

You can read more of our personal fostering stories and meet our community here.

Do I have what it takes to be a foster parent?

There are questions you’ll need to ask yourself about whether you have what it takes to be a foster parent and whether it’s right for you.

• Are you a patient person? 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’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.

• Do you have a solid support network around you? From friends to family and even colleagues, the fostering process isn’t something anyone should go through alone. As well as support from us, we’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’s birthday. And any parent is allowed to let off steam so make sure you’ve got a best friend on hand to encourage and cheer you on along the way.

• Can you deal with difficult subjects including child abuse, sexual exploitation and emotional abuse? As a foster parent you’ll be dealing with children from all sorts of different backgrounds so it’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’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 contact us with any questions or concerns.

• Are you resilient? Resilience comes in many forms, it’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’ve got on.

• Could you open up your home and your heart to a child who needs you? Opening up your world to include a child or children in an inclusive space is so important to the fostering process. While we’re not expecting you to turn your home into a fully fledged two storey nursery, it’s important you’re willing to create a cosy space full of love.
• Do you have a deep-rooted desire to make a positive difference in the lives of children? This is the most important thing. You’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’re offering, you need to have a desire to leave a lasting impression.

One final thing…

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’s a plethora on our website or you can contact us via Facebook to find out more.

The post What Does It Mean To Be A Foster Parent? appeared first on Eastern Fostering Services.

What is ASD?

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.

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

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

Fostering considerations

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.

Could I foster a child with ASD?

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:

• the ability to nurture
• patience
• empathy
• understanding
• resilience
• time to commit.

 A child with a disability is a child first and foremost and even small achievements can be celebrated!

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 team@easternfosteringservices.com, message us on Facebook or contact us via our website where you will also find lots of useful information and resources.

The post Could you foster a child with Autism? appeared first on Eastern Fostering Services.

Do you have other questions about fostering? You can put your questions to us by emailing us at team@easternfosteringservices.com, message us on Facebook, call us on 01206 299775. You can also contact us via our website.

The post Can I foster if I…? appeared first on Eastern Fostering Services.

Do you have other questions about fostering? You can put your questions to us by emailing us at team@easternfosteringservices.com, message us on Facebook, call us on 01206 299775. You can also contact us via our website.

The post Can I foster if I… appeared first on Eastern Fostering Services.

We know that children and young people in foster care are highly vulnerable and need their foster carers to support and advocate for them. We also know that trans young people are vulnerable to discrimination and oppression. So how should carers prepare for fostering trans young people?

What should foster carers know about what it’s like to be a trans young person?

One could say that generally our society does not treat young people well. Teenagers are often treated with suspicion and criticism and a degree of contempt. For young people in foster care, these attitudes are largely exacerbated. When it comes to fostering trans young people, the challenges can be even more pronounced.

• 81% of trans young people will avoid certain social situations out of fear, for example over 50% have said they avoid public toilets (Trans mental health review 2012)
• 62% of trans young people have experienced harassment by the public in a public space (James Morton, Scottish Transgender Alliance, 2008)
• 30% reported that a health care professional refused to discuss a trans-related concern with them (Trans Mental Health Review, 2012)
• 84% have considered suicide at some point (Trans Mental Health Review, 2009)

Should trans young people be treated any differently when it comes to fostering?

Of course the answer is a resounding no! All children in foster care should expect their carers to support, encourage, respect and advocate for them. Trans children and young people are no different. But it would be naïve to assume that a one-size-fits-all approach will cover all eventualities. Trans young people may be dealing with additional problems related to their identity and it is this that foster carers need to be mindful of and prepared for. In short, foster carers need to educate themselves.

What do trans young people need from me as their foster carer?

Most young people desire to be accepted and understood. Some trans young people will feel this need more keenly amidst rejection and ridicule by peers or society at large. As a trans young person in foster care therefore, you may be looking even more closely at your carer’s actions and reactions.

Trans young people may be dealing with additional problems related to their identity and it is this that foster carers need to be mindful of and prepared for.

• Be empathetic.
  Foster carers need to be able to put themselves in the shoes of others. How important is your identity to you? How would you feel if your identity was questioned or denied? Do all that you can to understand the young person’s perspective. Read blogs, articles, research and TALK to your young person.

• Create a safe space.
  In order to understand a young person’s point of view, you need to create trust and opportunity to share conversation. Always be led by the young person and go at their pace but the aim should be to normalise discussion. This allows a young person to feel heard and accepted.

• Be accepting.
  We all want to be accepted for who we are and foster carers have a duty to accept children and young people and meet them where they are at. Trans young people might have experienced rejection, abuse and alienation as a direct result of their identity. They have a right to be respected and accepted in the home environment.

All children in foster care should expect their carers to support, encourage, respect and advocate for them.

I also need you to…

• Find out what is important to the young person.
  What pronoun do they want you to use for them? What name? How open do they want to be with others? Do they want to access support services? Do they want to explore their identity further and do they need help to do so? Don’t assume. Ask.

• Support the young person to educate themselves.
  There are many good sources of age appropriate information which can help trans young people to understand their feelings. Seek these out and offer to share them with your young person

• Advocate for your young person.
  Once you know their experiences, expectations and desires make sure other professionals understand and abide by them.

• Challenge other professionals!
  Correct stereotypes. Be sensitive to mis-gendering. Try to engage those who don’t listen.

Fostering a trans young person? Start right here.

Trans Youth in Care have produced an excellent guide and toolkit. In addition to this they have a great list of further resources. Well worth a look!

If you think you have what it takes to foster a young person, get in touch with EFS at team@easternfosteringservices.com or visit our Facebook page to learn a bit more or find out about our information events near to you.

The post Fostering trans young people appeared first on Eastern Fostering Services.

Thinking of becoming a foster carer? How do you find out which fostering providers to approach?

As with anything in life, when it comes to becoming a foster carer, you should do your research. As a foster carer, you will need excellent support so you should look for local fostering providers who offer quality, 24 hour support. Smaller agencies are often better placed to offer quality, tailored support.

The Fostering Network have a tool on their website that allows you to search for local fostering providers. Moreover the internet is an excellent source of information. However, you need to know what you are looking for when deciding which fostering provider might best suit you and your individual needs.

I want to become a foster carer, shall I approach a fostering agency or the Local Authority?

Deciding who you want to foster with is a personal choice. The Local Authority prefer to place children with their in-house foster carers and will give them priority. Therefore you might get a greater choice of children. Increasingly, however, due to the shortage in foster carers, fostering agencies also receive a high number of requests.

The main difference between fostering agencies and Local Authorities is in the quality and level of support you will receive. In particular, smaller agencies such as Eastern Fostering Services will know you, your family and the children you foster very well. This means that when you need to call for help, you will speak to a team member who knows your situation – no need for lengthy explanations!

I have found some fostering providers – what now?

Ask yourself, are these people you could work with?

You can contact fostering providers by phone, email or web enquiry form. Indeed some fostering providers can be found on Facebook. Simply get in touch with them and ask them for more information.

Fostering providers should offer you the chance to talk either over the phone or face to face.

Here is a quick suggestion of what you might ask them:

What support do you offer carers?

Can you tell me about your matching process?

How does the assessment process work?

What positive outcomes do you achieve for children?

What training and development do you offer?

Which children do you need carers for?

In turn, Fostering providers might ask you:

Why do you want to foster?

Are there birth children living at home?

Do you have a spare room available for fostering?

Have you got experience working with children or vulnerable adults?

What type of child (age, gender etc.) do you feel would suit you best?

What do you do for a living?

Can you drive?

Do you have a criminal record?

A more in-depth conversation is now needed.

When you have decided which fostering provider(s) might be the best fit for you, you can request a home visit. This is a great opportunity for you to ask any other questions. In addition you can get an even better feel for the fostering provider. Ask yourself, are these people you could work with?

To get the best out of your home visit, keep your eyes open for our next blog: Becoming a Foster carer, step 2 – the home visit. You can access all our blogs from our homepage.

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