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"Childhood: the period of human life intermediate between the idiocy of infancy and the folly of youth - two removes from the sin of manhood and three from the remorse of age."
~Ambrose Bierce, The Devil's Dictionary, 1911 |
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CALL NOW 02380 230400 What Support Will I Receive? |
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* Training
* Regular Supervision
* Therapeutic Community
* Foster Care Support Groups
* 24hr On Call Service
* Playschemes
* Support
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Membership of Fostering Network
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Respite care
Training
Fairways Care believes that a comprehensive training programme is an essential element of the support that it gives to carers; in order for them to fulfil the requirements of what is an increasingly demanding and complex job. We will aim to provide all our carers with a quality, core-training programme, led by both in house and independent experienced trainers. Fairways will also provide access to recognised external training courses in recognition of the fact that carers will have individual training needs, dependent on their differing levels of knowledge and skills.
Fairways Foster Carers will complete the CWDC (CHildrens Workforce Development Council) Training, Support & Development Standards for Foster Care within the first year of service. The Children's Workforce Development Council has developed the standards to support the training and development of foster carers. These Standards set out the key areas of training that foster carers will need before they are approved and what they need after approval. Upon successful completion carers will be provided with the opportunity to undertake an NVQ Level 3 (working with children and young people).
All new foster carers, as part of their assessment, will undertake preparation training based on The Fostering Network's Choosing to Foster course. All our carers will undertake TEAM TEACH behviour management training and will be expected to complete an NVQ lll in caring for children and young people.
As part of your agreement with Fairways Care, you will commit to undertake all relevant training provided by Fairways Care.
Regular Supervision
All foster carers have their own social worker who will offer advice and support. They are available to help with any difficulties that the carers may encounter while fostering.
Therapeutic Community
In conjunction with Dr Burnfield FRC Psych our consultant in therapeutic approaches and other professionals involved, we will assess and plan for the therapeutic needs of a child placed. However, we will also provide professional therapeutic support to our foster carers. This will either be on an individual or group basis. At Fairways Foster Care we are committed to the belief that supporting and developing carer's will maximise the success of a placement and minimise the chances of disruption. In our experience, many foster care placements break down because the work with the child/young person is seen as totally separate from the work with the foster family. Professionals can often inadvertently contribute to these tensions, resulting in foster carers feeling distrustful and isolated. At Fairways Foster Care, we will seek to work with the child within the family context, helping to identify destructive and negative patterns of behaviour, and working holistically to develop strategies for change
Foster Care Support Group
These support groups provide the opportunity for carers to share experiences and to build a supportive relationship with other carers within the company.
24Hour On Call Service
We have a rolling rota of qualified social workers who provide a 24 hour 365 day per year service, for advice and support out of hours. As the rota is made up of only supervising social workers or company directors who are social work qualified, then all staff on call not only have a sound knowledge of each of the young people but also have a knowledge of each of the carers.
Playschemes
At fairways we run various playschemes throughout the year for both foster children and birth children. These playschemes involve the young people and staff participating in a wide range of activities. This gives the foster carers some additional support during the holiday periods when the young person is out of school. This also provides an opportunity for the young people to engage with other young people in a friendly and enjoyable setting.
Regular Support
Many of the children placed with us have specific needs and require a higher level of supervision and support. We have the resources available in Fairways Foster Care to ensure that the needs of both the carers and looked after children are effectively met. We have access to experienced, skilled support workers and we will work together in an integrated, planned manner to ensure that the best possible packages of care are provided to the children placed with us.
Membership of Fostering Network
Once you have been approved we will pay for your membership of the national foster care organisation Fostering Network. This provides support, regular newsletters, access to independent advice and representation
Respite care
Most carers do take the children they are looking after with them when they go on holiday. However some carers do need the additional support of having the occasional or regular break without the child and we try to organise respite care that fits with the needs of the children
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