Mythbusters: Uncovering the truths around local council fostering
Welcome to the March edition of the Fostering South West newsletter! This month, we’re excited to launch our new campaign, “Mythbusters: Uncovering the Truths Around Local Council Fostering”. Fostering is a rewarding and life-changing journey, but it’s often surrounded by misconceptions and myths. Our aim is to shed light on the realities of fostering and provide you with accurate, up-to-date information.
Throughout this campaign, we’ll be addressing common myths about local council fostering, debunking misunderstandings, and sharing inspiring stories from experienced foster carers. Whether you’re a prospective carer or already part of our fostering community, you’ll find valuable insights and encouragement to support your fostering journey. Stay tuned to our social channels to keep up-to-date with this campaign.
So, no matter where you are on your fostering journey, we hope you’ll enjoy reading more below. Don’t forget, we’re here for you whenever you feel ready to take the next step, or if you just want some of your questions answered.
Thank you to everyone who came to our celebration event!
On Wednesday February 19th, we welcomed over 1,500 people to events celebrating our local council foster carers at 5 locations across the region.
This was the first time a co-ordinated day of activities has taken place in the region for foster carers from all local councils to come together, share experiences and make memories.
We’re so grateful to every single person who came, the locations for hosting and Mood Bears for supporting. We can’t wait for the next one! Watch the video or read the full news story to learn more.
Get to know our local council foster carers – Wes, South Gloucestershire Council
Meet Wes, a foster carer for South Gloucestershire Council. In this video he shares some of the highlights from his fostering journey to date, including some of his most memorable moments as a foster carer!
To get to know more of our local council foster carers, visit our stories page.
Types of Fostering – Emergency Foster Care
Emergency Foster Care offers immediate care to children in urgent need, helping them feel safe and secure during times of family breakdown, neglect, or unforeseen circumstances.
In moments of crisis, children need stability and care. Emergency foster carers offer a nurturing environment while longer-term solutions are arranged.
Emergency foster carers must be ready to welcome children on short notice. Placements can last from a few days to a few weeks, requiring flexibility and resilience.
Why foster for your local council – Support a not-for-profit organisation
Councils provide support and training locally, so you don’t have to travel far to access support.
Our local councils are dedicated to ensuring foster carers receive exceptional training and support to provide the best possible care for children. Foster carers are offered comprehensive initial training programs covering essential topics such as child development, trauma-informed care, and behaviour management.
Additionally, they have access to ongoing professional development opportunities, including workshops, online courses, and support groups. Local councils also provides a network of experienced social workers and foster carers who offer guidance, mentorship, and emotional support.
This robust framework of training and support ensures that foster carers are well-equipped to handle the challenges and rewards of fostering, making a positive impact on the lives of children in our community.
Our recommended resources
Today, we’d like to highlight another series of podcasts called the Therapeutic Parenting Podcast delivered by the UK-based Centre of Excellence in Child Trauma (COECT).
This weekly podcast is designed to support individuals whose lives are affected by early life trauma and neglect. It aims to provide proven strategies to achieve the best possible outcomes for families living and working with child trauma.
The podcast features in-depth conversations with COECT professionals and other experts who have first-hand experience with trauma. Topics covered include surviving childhood abuse, challenges faced by kinship carers and special guardians, and strategies for dealing with grief, guilt, and anxiety. The podcast also addresses specific issues such as how trauma impacts children’s relationship with food and managing inappropriate sexualized behaviour in children.
Where’s Ray?
Follow Ray’s journey visiting our local council partners in our newsletter.
Well done to everyone who correctly guessed that Ray was at the Spanish Barn in Torquay!
Each month Ray will be in a new location, spreading the word about the importance of fostering with your local council.
Where do you think Ray is this month? Let us know via our social media, or email in and get the chance to win a large Mood Bear.
Keep in touch with us
Don’t miss out on our fresh content across our social media channels! Follow them via the buttons below.