Why do I need a spare room in order to foster?
Lucy Stevens - 27th June 2018
This is a question we still get asked a lot! So we thought we’d tackle it as the first topic in our series of videos answering your most common fostering questions. The short answer is that it is a mandatory requirement to have a spare bedroom to dedicate to fostering when you apply to be a foster carer*. Many people find this very frustrating and we often get further questions asking us why this policy exists for Local Authorities and Fostering Providers. Here are just a few reasons: Would you move into a house and share a bedroom with a complete stranger? Moving in with a new foster family is a frightening and confusing time for children, no matter how
Tags: #ProudToFoster, #ProudToSupportFostering, applying to be a foster carer, becoming a foster carer, Cambridgeshire, Eastern Fostering Services, Essex, foster, foster care, fostering, fostering agency, Fostering Cambridgeshire, fostering Essex, Suffolk
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We’re here to answer your fostering questions
Lucy Stevens - 18th June 2018
As we speak to people across Essex, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire about the shortage in foster carers, we are always struck by the fact that the same questions get asked and that many similar misconceptions are held. In a series of videos we’d like to answer the questions we hear most frequently. But of course we’ll also answer any other questions you’d like us to. Please feel free to message us or comment with your questions or tell us what’s stopping you from taking that step towards fostering. If you’d prefer to ask your questions in person, you can come to one of our events or drop in to our offices. For all dates and details please visit our Facebook events
Tags: #ProudToFoster, #ProudToSupportFostering, applying to be a foster carer, becoming a foster carer, Cambridgeshire, Eastern Fostering Services, foster, foster care, foster carer, fostering, fostering application, Fostering Cambridgeshire, fostering Essex, fostering Suffolk, how to foster, Suffolk, The Fostering Network
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Proud to be Fostering
Lucy Stevens - 21st May 2018
Our carers are proud to foster The Fostering Network estimate that the UK needs another 8000 foster carers. Suffolk, Essex and Cambridgeshire reflect the same national picture. Our foster carers come from all walks of life. Some of them have had happy childhoods and others have been through tough times. Some of our foster carers are single while others are married with children. In fact, our foster carers are diverse - as they should be! Foster carers can be rich, poor, home-owners, tenants, gay, straight, male, female, of any faith or none. So, whilst all our carers are different, they all have one thing in common. This Foster Care Fortnight they are all #ProudToFoster. One of our foster carer's Paul
Tags: #ProudToFoster, becoming a foster carer, Eastern Fostering Services, foster carer, fostering, Fostering Cambridgeshire, fostering Essex, fostering Suffolk
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Becoming a foster carer
Lucy Stevens - 24th April 2018
What does becoming a foster carer involve? Do you live in Essex, Suffolk or Cambridgeshire? Do you want to become a foster carer? If so, we at Eastern Fostering Services are really keen to talk to you. If you call us on 01206 299775 or email us at team@easternfosteringservices.com we will call you back and talk through your questions. After we've visited you at home, we'll leave you to complete a fostering application form. Once this has been accepted, we'll assign you an assessor. This person will produce your assessment and take you through to panel. The process of becoming a foster carer takes around 4 months. During this time, the assessor will produce a report that assesses your suitability
Tags: applying to be a foster carer, becoming a foster carer, Eastern Fostering Services, fostering, fostering assessment, Fostering Cambridgeshire, fostering Essex, fostering Suffolk
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Becoming a foster carer – how do I apply?
Lucy Stevens - 16th March 2018
Becoming a foster carer. How do I decide who with? Once you've decided to foster, the next decision is which agency to foster through. We advise that you do your research and see which fostering agencies operate in your local area. If you live in Cambridgeshire, Essex, Suffolk or Norfolk, you need to make sure that your Fostering provider is easy to get to and will be able to support you effectively. Eastern Fostering Services have a head office in Suffolk and are therefore able to support foster carers in Essex, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Norfolk. You need to get a good feel for the fostering agency. For example, how foster carer focussed are they? What do their foster carers say
Tags: applying to be a foster carer, becoming a foster carer, Cambridgeshire, Eastern Fostering Services, Essex, foster, fostering, fostering agency, fostering application, fostering service, Norfolk, Suffolk
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Moon Landing – Part One
Lucy Stevens - 23rd February 2018
I’ve often thought that, for our foster son, coming to live with us must have been like being plucked from your bed and finding yourself firmly ensconced on the moon. This is not because we are particularly strange per se but because of all the foreignness we came wrapped in. Think about it. One day you are with your family and the next you are on a journey through who-knows-where to who-knows-what. Up to this point you’ve only ever known home, you’ve only ever known a life manacled by war and violence; you’ve had to live your life in hiding. You’ve lost family members, friends, freedom. But you’ve also had the comfort of a loving family, the familiarities of home:
Tags: fostering, refugees, UASC
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