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Supporting Young People in Care/Care Leavers Conference 2014 Engaging Foster Carers. Di Stone University of the West of England. Supporting Young People in Care/Care Leavers Conference 2014 Engaging Foster Carers. Workshop Aims to provide the opportunity to:
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Supporting Young People in Care/Care Leavers Conference 2014Engaging Foster Carers Di Stone University of the West of England
Supporting Young People in Care/Care Leavers Conference 2014Engaging Foster Carers Workshop Aims to provide the opportunity to: • Explore good practice nationally, regionally and locally in engaging Foster Carers in raising awareness of and supporting aspiration to higher education for young people in their care • Highlight and discuss challenges faced in engaging Foster Carers and explore ways to overcome/reduce the impact of these • Share current good practice across the region and explore opportunities for development of enhanced SW region and local area provision
Supporting Young People in Care/Care Leavers Conference 2014Engaging Foster Carers National Examples of Good Practice • Area Networks - LAs, FE, HE, Schools, Independent Fostering agencies with clear ToR and focus for meetings - EMCLASS • Foster Carer Coffee Mornings supported current CLs – West Yorkshire Network • Foster Family Learning Days supported by current CLs - West Yorkshire Network • Case Studies – De Montfort University • “toolkit” for foster carers on everything they needed to know about Higher Education - Fostering Network Wales / University of Cardiff • Articles and adverts in Foster Families publications – University of Winchester • Accredited training aimed specifically at Foster Carers ie the 'Foundation Certificate in Trauma and Attachment' (York St John University) • Hold on to SW models for discussion!
Supporting Young People in Care/Care Leavers Conference 2014Engaging Foster Carers Challengesto engaging Foster Carers: • Reaching the “right” people • Understanding the challenges faced by Foster Carers • Providing the “right” support to meet Foster Carers needs • Etc, Etc
Supporting Young People in Care/Care Leavers Conference 2014Engaging Foster Carers Hints and Tips to overcome challenges: • Develop and maintain good partnerships with Virtual Schools and LAs – not just Leaving care teams • Maintain up to date list of key contacts • Don’t try to re-invent the wheel – make use of information sources and toolkits that are up to date and already in existence ie “Who Cares Trust” HE Handbook • Piggy back on existing events - LA Multi Agency Training Days • Be imaginative! • Be flexible!
Supporting Young People in Care/Care Leavers Conference 2014Engaging Foster Carers Over to you! What can we do to improve engagement in the SW?