Supporting Young People in Care/Care Leavers Conference 2014

Engaging Foster Carers

Di StoneUniversity of the West of England

Supporting Young People in Care/Care Leavers Conference 2014Engaging Foster Carers

Workshop Aims to provide the opportunity to:

1. 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

2. Highlight and discuss challenges faced in engaging Foster Carers and explore ways to overcome/reduce the impact of these

3. 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

Challenges to 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?