‘Foster mum’s the reason I’m off to top university’
‘Foster mum’s the reason I’m off to top university’ Article taken from BBC News website A medical student who grew up in care says she could not have secured her place at a top university without the support of her foster mother. Olivia Ojemen went into the care system aged 16 but is now off […]
Understanding Behaviours
Understanding Behaviours Every child and young person can present with a behaviour which is hard to understand, manage and change. This article will look at some common factors that have an impact on behaviour. However, each child is unique, so don’t make assumptions or jump to conclusions. Think carefully about the specific child and consider […]
Celebrating fostering at Parliament
Celebrating fostering at Parliament I was delighted to be invited to a parliamentary reception on Wednesday, on behalf of Positive Aspirations, to celebrate the success of foster carers and fostering in the independent section. At the even a new report was launched, we highlights the impact that IFA foster carers, and the support around them makes to children. […]
Why matching and placement stability are important
Why matching and placement stability are important The more children move from fostering families to another, the more their ability to form secure attachments is impacted. Every broken attachment impacts throughout an individual’s life; their ability to trust others and their ability to form secure adult relationships. When thinking about children looked after, I always think […]
The Guardian 27/8/24 : “500 children a day are referred to mental health services in England”
The Guardian 27/8/24 : “500 children a day are referred to mental health services in England” The Guardian has published a news story on the number of children referred to NHS mental health services for anxiety in England since the Coronavirus pandemic. Their investigation explored referrals where the primary cause was anxiety. More than 500 children a […]
Instagram boosts privacy and parental control on teen accounts
Instagram boosts privacy and parental control on teen accounts It may be useful to alert Foster Carers to this, and/or to open up /have a discussion with young people directly. Instagram is overhauling the way it works for teenagers, promising more “built-in protections” for young people and added controls and reassurance for parents. The new “teen […]
Why Somatic Awareness Matters
Why Somatic Awareness Matters Have you ever walked into a room and instantly felt tense, even though nothing seemed wrong? Or snapped at a colleague without realising you were carrying stress from an earlier situation? This isn’t just about mood—it’s about how our bodies process and hold on to experiences. Dr. Sorcha Mathews’ engaging session, “The Child […]
The stress of fostering
The stress of fostering The end of the year is a time of reflection, so praise yourself for the difference you have made to children’s lives, this year. Opening your hearts and homes to children and young people can impact on you both personally and professionally. Often, without you being fully aware. Maintaining your own […]
Focusing on Positive Outcomes for Children in Care
Focusing on Positive Outcomes for Children in Care In the fast-paced world of fostering, it’s easy to become consumed by paperwork, procedures, and deadlines. Meetings, case files, and compliance checks often dominate our daily routines. But behind every document, every report, and every statistic lies something far more significant: a child’s story. At the heart of […]
NSPCC Practice Points : How can we hear and facilitate the voice of the child?
NSPCC Practice Points : How can we hear and facilitate the voice of the child? Pulling together key themes compiled from NSPCC : Listening to and capturing the voice of the child is central to effective safeguarding practice. It’s how we understand children’s lived experiences, hear their views about their lives and circumstances, and take […]