Foster Families Autumn 2012 Sample

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Autumn 2012 Issue 14

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Time to move on?

Top tips on preparing teens for living alone

Win a Hauck Turbo buggy Your chance to win the Turbo from Hauck

Let’s sleep on it The importance of a bedtime routine

Foster siblings Tips for building good sibling relationships

“Foster Families Magazine tackles serious issues in an easy to read style. A must read for everyone involved in foster care,” Lorna Miles, author and foster carer.

Contents Autumn 2012 foster families 2

Contents Autumn 2012

Edition 14

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Find out what great treats we have in store for you in the Autumn edition of Foster Families

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advice . . .

become a foster carer series: readers’ tips ... 5 supporting autism spectrum condition ... 12

Photos, clockwise from top left: Slava, studiostoer, Hayden Judd, studiostoer, basibanget, Ratha Grimes

support . . .

reviews ...

lindam bounce about ...15 mamas & papas sola...15 hauck turbo ... 15 chester and daisy move on ... 24 a safe place for rufus...24 parental substance misuse ... 24 toddler adoption ... 24 losing control ... 25 deli 24 snacks ... 34

our top tips ...

new to foster carer ... 5 supporting autism spectrum condition ... 13 sibling relationships ... 17 contact - essential or detrimental? ... 29 your letters ... 38

competitions ...

Cover photo: Torrey Wiley

cozy coupe car ... 4 once, then, now, after...25 gods and warriors ... 25 goodnight digger ... 33 outlook auto-shade ... 33 quinny yezz ... 34 young samurai ... 37 hauck turbo ... 39

when someone dies allegations: your letters answered keeping it in the family paired reading support: essential or detrimental?

... 6 ... 8 ... 9 ... 23 ... 28

supporting teenagers . . . time to move on? too young to leave care ?

behavioural support . . .

ask our psychologist: sibling relationships

higher education . . . university and care leavers

discussion point . . .

cathy’s column: behind closed doors respite care: beneficial or not?

personal . . .

rita’s story

information . . .

epilepsy information day

food and health . . .

preventing baby wrist let’s sleep on it cooking with root vegetables chris’s cookery cards: root veg

fun stuff . . .

kids’ corner crossword

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... 14 ... 22

... 16

... 19

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... 21 ... 26

... 27

... 30

... 31 ... 32 ... 35 ... 36

29 ... 37 ... 39 Find us:

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Order the full magazine in print or download from http://fosterfamilies.co.uk/download.html

Welcome Autumn 2012 foster families 3

Welcome from the editor...

Dear Reader, Well what a summer it’s been! All that Olympic excitement and the extreme weather we’ve had, not to mention the Queen’s jubilee... well, I think it’s time for a well-deserved sit down. Once the kids are back at school take a look at the treats we’ve got in store for you in this issue, including supporting a child through the death of a parent, advising young people about university, preparing teens for moving out on their own, sibling relationships and much more. It’s one not to miss!

Ceressa Bateman, Editor

is a unique, web-based service designed and supported by fostering social workers to encourage people to apply to become foster carers.

Simply Fostering provides free foster carer advice on a daily basis, as well as comprehensive information about fostering and how to become a foster carer. Visit www.simplyfostering.co.uk for more information and advice.

Competition Winners!

Congratulations to:

Beccy Ashman and Pat Gardiner for winning thebabasling, John Gaul and Vicki Moulton for winning the Little Tikes First Slide, and Wendy Whitbourn, Davina Tomlinson and Margaret Hill for winning the Dry Like Me pads - all in our Autumn 2012 issue.

Look out for this issue’s competitions on pages 4, 25, 33, 34, 37 and 39.

Win a Cozy Coupe !

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This iconic car is now yours to win!

I

t’s official! The iconic red and yellow Cozy Coupe from Little Tikes remains the bestselling ‘car’ in Britain!

How to win

We’ve got two Little Tikes Cozy Coupe cars (worth £54.99) with membership to the brand new Little Tikes Cozy Coupe Club (worth £10.00) to give away. To be in with a chance of winning, simply email your name and address to competitions@ fosterfamilies.co.uk with the subject line ‘Cozy Coupe’ and the answer to the following question: How many Cozy Coupes were sold in the UK last year? a) Under 10,000 b) 90,000 c) Over 120,000 The first two entries drawn at random on 25th October 2012 will win. You can also enter by sending your details to the address on page 4.

With almost 130,000 Cozy Coupes sold in the UK last year, compared to just over 96,000 Ford Fiestas, Little Tikes has decided that it’s time to launch the Cozy Coupe Club!

The brand new Cozy Coupe Club is open to all Cozy Coupe owners, present or past, young or old(!) and each new member will be sent a Welcome Pack full of fun Cozy Coupe goodies.

Why join the Cozy Coupe Club?

For a one-off joining fee of £10 (£12 for residents outside the UK), members will receive a cool kids t-shirt sporting the red Cozy Coupe Club badge, or there’s a pretty pink Princess Coupe version if girls prefer; a Cozy Coupe number plate that can be personalised e.g. with the owner’s name and date of birth, and fixed to your Cozy Coupe; a cute window sticker for the ‘real’ car (telling everyone that the other car in the family is a Cozy Coupe!); and

a Cozy Coupe driving licence that can be filled in with the ‘owner’s’ name, address and that allimportant birthday.

And speaking of birthdays, each member will wake up on their special day to a Cozy Coupe birthday card, signed by Cozy himself!

All new Cozy Coupes will come with a Cozy Coupe Club application form, or if you’re an existing Cozy Coupe owner you can apply online by logging on to www.littletikes/cozycoupeclub.

To read the rest of this article please download from http://fosterfamilies.co.uk/download.html

Advice Autumn 2012 foster families 4

Top tips for new foster carers

How to a fos becom e t serie er care r s-p art 7

Thinking of fostering? Find out what our readers say about making that decision

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aking that decision to foster is a huge one! If you’re on that journey, we’re here to help.

This series has looked at the step by

1

Make sure that you think hard about the age range of children you will take on - Joanne Macdonald

step process: what is involved and how you may feel when you meet that first child, as well as how they may feel meeting you.

2

What’s your top fostering tip?

Email it to haveyoursay@fosterfamilies.co.uk, or post to: Foster Families, 39 Livingstone Street, Worcester, WR5 2ES, and it could go in our next issue.

We asked our readers what things they would have wanted to know before getting stuck in, and here’s what they said:

Get into the habit of writing up your daily book - daily! And have a lockable filing cabinet for all your paperwork - David McElhoney

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Remember that you might not always get a lot back from these children - Katie Marks

There’s more! Our full issue has more top tips from foster carers. To read them, please download from http://fosterfamilies.co.uk/download.html

When someone dies

Lorna Miles explains why it is necessary to talk about death when supporting a bereaved child or young person

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Photo: Slava

uring the past twelve months two of my fostering placements have been unrelated children who have found themselves in the care system as a result of bereavement.

Both children had been given well intentioned ‘cover stories’ by the adults around them. Their social workers then had the unenviable job of telling them that the information they had been given had been untrue and that their respective parents had in fact died.

Ignored

One of the children, James*, had long-term health problems and I attended a number of hospital appointments where we came into contact with professionals who had an ongoing relationship with him.

They all acknowledged that James had moved to live with me since ... *Name changed to protect identity

Nothing you can say is going to make it worse

To view the full article please download from http://fosterfamilies.co.uk/download.html

Introducing

…

DISCOVER THE PERFECT FAMILY DESTINATION

A Members only Discount Scheme just for Carers.

Exclusive savings to be made via our web site.

Theme Parks, Leisure Parks and Attractions.

Holidays, Day Camps and Summer Camps.

Computer equipment from Apple, DELL and HP. Hotel deals from Hotel Exclusives and Holiday Inn. Party Suppliers and Children’s Music Stores.

we set eyes on New Pines we knew “weWhen had solved our problem! As short term carers we needed an escape for the children and New Pines ticked ALL of the boxes!

Kevan and Elaine, Staffordshire

”

The List Goes On . . .

Membership is just £50 a year.

One card covers the whole family.

The New Pines is the ideal location to enjoy a wide range of fun activities the whole family can enjoy. Discover a tropical indoor pool, purpose built entertainment complex and recreational field, all contained within a secure gated environment.

And that’s not all. Join now and receive a years FREE membership to The Gourmet Society.

OWN A CARAVAN FROM AS LITTLE AS

£199.00 PER MONTH

Visit Us At:

NO SITE FEES TO PAY UNTIL MARCH 2014

Airport House, Purley Way, Croydon, CR0 0XZ. email: info@.fostercarersdiscounts.com

FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL:

0800 717 707

The New Pines Holiday Home Resort, Dyserth Road, Dyserth, Denbighshire LL18 4DY Email: enquiries@thenewpines.co.uk or visit www.thenewpines.co.uk

Does your allegation seem unfair?

Debra Gibbs, Fostering Support Ltd, answers your

questions on allegations

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ear Debra, I would like to know why when you ask social workers for help when you have problems, they blame you for that child’s issues?

I have had an extremely difficult child placed with me for nearly 11 years. She has an attachment

D

ear Farah, From what you have described I would suggest this is a standard of care concern. This is the lowest level in terms of seriousness, but can still mean that a carer’s registration is suspended until the investigation is concluded and remains a huge worry for those foster carers involved.

You describe your looked after young woman as extremely challenging and indeed violent towards you, but you have kept her safe and secure for the past 11 years... it sounds like you deserve a medal! Over those past

disorder and extremely challenging behaviour including her being violent towards me.

She is almost 17 and I’m now the subject of an allegation because she didn’t take her coat to her youth club. I told this to the leader who then asked: “What if she wants to go out?”

11 years your fostering service will have built up a picture of the care you provide, your strengths and of course any weaknesses. Most likely you have survived the child’s social worker (SW), and possibly your own supervising social worker (SSW).

However, if the fostering service felt there were issues with your care previously, this should have been raised with you at the time.

Sometimes, when we hear of what appears to be a fairly minor criticism

I replied: “She will be cold.”

That was deemed punitive and reported to social services. I can’t believe it and I am now waiting for the outcome of a strategy meeting.

I’m so upset that I’ve made the decision to resign from fostering.

Thank you, Farah* (such as yours) there are other concerns which underpin the current one and make it most important to stop, take a breath, conduct a full enquiry... and, challenge where challenge is needed.

It might be that you have been striving for so long to care for this girl that you have been unable to see that the quality of your relationship has at times been tested. One thing I know from working with carers over the years is that they never want to give up ...

“Foster carers never want to give up on a child”

To view the full article please download from http://fosterfamilies.co.uk/download.html

Higher Education Autumn 2012 foster families 6

University and care leavers

Dr Debra Croft, Manager of Centre for Widening Participation at Aberystwyth University, tells why introducing higher education at a young age can help care leavers get off to a better start

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any foster carers tell me that they don’t have sufficient knowledge of Higher Education (HE) systems or of the jargon to be able to advise the young people in their care. Applications, finance, timetables, deadlines for getting forms in, Open Days, Visiting Days, accommodation options, catered, part catered, three term, 365 days occupancy, and so on are enough to put them off!

Then there are the differences that exist between England, Wales, Scotland and NI, not to mention

cross-Nation applications. Even those of us who work in HE find it hard to keep up with the changes!

But there is a wealth of information and help: from schools and colleges, from websites (e.g. the UCAS help area), from social workers, from specialist carer networks, from Buttle UK, from Universities themselves (e.g.

Aberystwyth’s Parents’ Guide www.aber.ac.uk/en/pub/other/ parents_guide/ is one of many).

As with many new things, it is possible to find out what you ...

HE led schemes give young people a taste of university life

To view the full article please download from http://fosterfamilies.co.uk/download.html

www.aber.ac.uk/wpsi

GWEITHIO GYDA MYFYRWYR SY’N GADAEL GOFAL -EIN HYMRODDIAD NI I’CH DYFODOL CHI

WORKING WITH STUDENTS FROM CARE - OUR COMMITMENT TO YOUR FUTURE

Er mwyn cael cymorth a chyngor cyn i chi gyrraedd (mewn Dyddiau Agored, dyddiau ymweld, etc.), drwy’r broses ymgeisio, ac wrth i chi gyrraedd, astudio, ac ymlaen i’ch graddio, cysylltwch â DEBRA CROFT yn y Ganolfan Ehangu Cyfranogiad E-bost: dec@aber.ac.uk Ffôn: 01970 622681, neu Tecst: 07968 77 55 23

For help and advice before arrival (at Open Days, visiting days, etc.), through the application process, arrival, progression, and on to graduation, contact DEBRA CROFT in the Centre for Widening Participation E-mail: dec@aber.ac.uk Tel: 01970 622681, or Txt: 07968 77 55 23

CYDNABYDDIR ANSAWDD EIN CYMORTH GAN BUTTLE UK, GAN GYNNWYS

A QUALITY MARKED SUPPORT SCHEME RECOGNISED

BY BUTTLE UK, INCLUDING

t Cymorth ariannol penodol drwy’r Bwrsariaeth Gadawyr Gofal (£1800, amodau cymhwyso) t Sicrwydd o lety i’r holl israddedigion yn y flwyddyn gyntaf a help i gael llety addas i’r gwyliau t ‘Pecyn Croeso’ o bethau hanfodol, os bydd angen

t Targeted financial support through the Care-leaver Bursary (£1800, conditions apply) t Guaranteed accommodation for all first year undergraduates and help to secure suitable vacation accommodation on an ongoing basis t Provision of a ‘Welcome Pack’ of essentials if needed

Supporting Teenagers Autumn 2012 foster families 7

Leaving care Is 18 too young to be independent?

Roy Hipkiss explains how carers and agencies can make the transition from care as smooth as possible

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urning 18 for a young person is a significant milestone. Legally, you become an adult, and though it’s now legal to drink, life’s suddenly not all about the fun stuff.

There are decisions to be made: college, university, work... all of which bring financial worry and the first steps toward standing alone.

Luckily, many of us still have the love and support of family to help guide and advise us through any uncertainty or mistakes. A young person in the care system faces the same challenges as anyone, but often finds themselves suddenly without the support they need.

On their own Turning 18 as a fostered young person can be extremely daunting and scary: now considered an adult they are no longer looked after within the care system.

Coming of age means a child has officially ‘aged out’ of the foster care system. Sourcing adult services and benefits is a challenge in itself, and can prove too difficult at a time when

SUPPORT FOR CARE LEAVERS

The Scheme offers: • A £1500 bursary per progressive year* • A single point of contact at the University for information, advice and guidance • Advice on accommodation, student funding and student services • Funding for year abroad and overseas placements • Course preparation activities • Pre-entry welcome day • Exclusive access to employability advice and guidance and email alerts to extra-curricular employment and experience schemes.

a young person is going through such huge transitions.

Is 18 too young?

Many charities believe that 18 is too young for children *Conditions apply to transition into adulthood and are campaigning for young adults to stay in care until they’re 21.

To find out more information visit www.kingston.ac.uk/compact Roy Hipkiss, or contact us on compact@kingston.ac.uk Director of Credo X(12.103)A or telephone 020 8417 3233 Care, agrees that leaving the care system at 18 can have detrimental effects: “18 can be a young age for children to leave the care system.

It is widely recognised that the age foster children are expected to live independently is one of the reasons some struggle.

The average age children move out of the parental home is 24, while support for a quarter of children in care will care leavers leave at the age of 16. We believe if carers and ● A dedicated team offering ongoing agencies work support and mentoring throughout together and your degree programme start preparing ● Financial support, such as help their foster towards the cost of Open Day visits children for and a bursary of £1,000 a year, these sudden subject to conditions changes early ● Support in fi nding a job enough, it after graduation can help with the transition Call 020 8331 8586 or away from the visit gre.ac.uk/careleavers care system and into adulthood.” the transition to adulthood can start Start as early as aged 14. The young planning person, their social worker, and the early foster agency will work together Planning for to plan a future that will include ...

at

To view the full article please download from http://fosterfamilies.co.uk/download.html

Support Autumn 2012 foster families 8

Talk to other carers online Join Fostercare World free and join in the conversation with people who understand first hand. visit fostercareworld.com today

Supporting ASC Naomi Owereh, Autism Advisor for Craegmoor, talks about Autism Spectrum Condition

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People with ASC may find certain sensations extremely overwhelming

Photo: Rain0975

utism Spectrum Condition (ASC) is a lifelong developmental condition.

Fundamentally it affects how people communicate and how they understand and process the world around them. All people with ASC share certain difficulties, such as trouble with communication, problems interacting with others and finding it hard to predict and cope with change. However ASC affects each person in very different ways.

Effects of ASC

At one end of the spectrum an individual may have a severe learning disability and need highly specialised support. At the other end of the spectrum an individual may be extremely gifted in one particular area and excel way above the average.

Asperger syndrome Asperger syndrome is a form of ASC. People with Asperger syndrome are often of average or above average intelligence. They have fewer problems with speech but still have difficulties with understanding and processing language.

Sensory difficulties Almost all people with ASC have sensory difficulties. This means they may find noises, tastes or sensations

that most people don’t even notice extremely overwhelming, to the point of being painful or frightening. For other individuals with ASC sensory issues may mean that they crave sensory stimulation and seek out certain noises, sensations or smells in an extreme or inappropriate way.

Autism and fostering

Children with ASC have difficulty in developing social and language skills. As a result, they find making friends and relating to other people especially hard. Many children with ASC have an additional learning

disability and many express their fear and frustration through very challenging behaviours. Research in 2006 indicated that as many as one in 100 children are affected by ASC and it is four times more common in boys than girls.

All of these facts make the emotional time a child enters foster care even more of a challenge. If a child has a formal diagnosis then an appropriate placement will be sought, with foster carers who have experience and a good knowledge of ASC. It can be more difficult for ...

To view the full article please download from http://fosterfamilies.co.uk/download.html

Behavoiural Support Autumn 2012 foster families 9

Ask our psychologist

Sibling relationships

Helen Mason answers those delicate questions

Photo: moodboardphotography

If you’re concerned about the behaviour or development of the child in your care, why not ask our psychologist? Email Helen at haveyoursay@fosterfamilies.co.uk. All questions are treated in strict confidence.

Q: Hello Helen, We have a little boy, Alex*, aged six in August. We have had him since he was three. Four weeks ago we took in two siblings - a girl, Daisy*, aged 11 and a little boy, Eddie*, aged four. At first he loved them being here but now he resents them. He shows this in his behaviour at school and at home. He is doing anything in his power for attention. What do you recommend? Nisha*

T

hanks for raising this issue. The adjustments children in care are required to make when new foster siblings come into their foster family is a topic not often talked about.

First, let me assume that the behaviours you’ve identified do relate to Alex’s psychological

adjustment to a new sibling.

However, for Alex, this process is more complex.

Previously, at the age of three years he was required to adjust to the loss of his attachment figure and adjust to you as his new primary carer.

Now, aged six years he is required to re-adjust to not one, but two additional foster siblings. Added to this, given Alex’s age, he has become suddenly a ‘middle’ sibling between Daisy and Eddie, who already have an established biological sibling relationship. Also, it sounds as if

*Name changed to protect identity

Alex’s realisation of the impact of Daisy and Eddie’s arrival into his family was slightly delayed.

From what you say, Alex may be transferring these behaviours towards his peers at school. So, it is likely that Alex is finding the adjustment a ...

Helen Mason is an

Educational & Child

Psychologist and Expert Witness, chartered with the British Psychological Society and registered as a practitioner psychologist with the Health Professions Council. Her expertise focuses on looked after children (LAC) and young people.

She practices independently at LAC Psychologists (www.lacp.co.uk)

To view the full article please download from http://fosterfamilies.co.uk/download.html

Cathy’s Column

Behind closed doors: best-selling author and foster carer Cathy Glass talks about parents being kept in the dark when their children are put into care

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ince the publication of my fostering memoirs I have received thousands of emails.

Some of the saddest are from families who believe their children have been taken into care unjustly.

These emails break my heart.

I can feel their pain and they worry me to the point of keeping me awake at night. I appreciate I am reading a one-sided account and I don’t know the reasons why the social

services took the action they did... but often the family doesn’t know either. Not surprising if meetings are held behind closed doors, from which family members and even the family’s solicitor are excluded.

Where is the transparency?

Often families email me when their child or children are first taken into care. They are shocked and already out of their depth in a system they don’t understand.

They feel excluded and believe it’s designed to work against them and

“They are shocked and out of their depth”

To view the full article please download from http://fosterfamilies.co.uk/download.html

keep their children. I reassure them as best I can and try to explain what is happening. They often continue to email me with questions, and I explain and empathize, and advise them to keep in close contact with their solicitor and also the Guardian ad Litem – appointed by the court to work closely with all parties involved.

I gave this advice recently to one doting and devastated Grandmother whose two grandchildren had been...

What do you think?

Have your say and tell us what you think about this. Email haveyoursay@fosterfamilies.co.uk

Supporting Teenagers Autumn 2012 foster families 10

Time to move on?

Shân Dobinson, foster carer, shares how you can help prepare teens for leaving care

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important thing that you want to give to them. If you’re a leaving care worker, what do you see as the most important things that make a difference for fostered teenagers as they move to independence?

We will probably have similar yet different answers, but I can only share my own experience of fostering teenagers and seeing them leave the care system to make their way in the world.

Make practical tasks fun There are of course the practical tasks like cooking, budgeting, filling in forms and dealing with bureaucracy. My experience with all ages is to do this intentionally and

naturally... and to make it fun.

Learn with them I’m not a great cook, but I try to set a good example - so I made learning these skills as part of the weekend routine. For example, a foster lad and his mate would find something in a recipe book that they wanted to cook. They would write a shopping list, have their own trolley at the supermarket and then guess the total price of their shopping at the checkout - which they usually underestimated!

When we got home there was a flurry of activity as these two 15 year old boys attempted a culinary creation, which sometimes was delicious and sometimes sadly ...

“My experience with all ages is to make practical tasks fun”

Photo: epSos.de

eenagers are not teenagers forever! You may be relieved to hear that, but our job as foster carers is to help prepare them for adult life. This is a huge task and it’s not just about teaching them to cook!

What can you give to the young person leaving your care?

If you’re a foster carer, I wonder what you would say is the most

To view the full article please download from http://fosterfamilies.co.uk/download.html

Jennifer Jones, Inspired Foundations, shares pros and cons of staying connected with birth families

O

ne topic which never fails to divide opinion among those living or working with looked after children is that of contact.

Some people believe that ongoing contact with birth relatives is essential for the child, whereas others believe it serves no purpose and can actually be detrimental to the child’s development.

As with any issue like this there are both pros and cons, and in my personal opinion there is no ‘catch all’ answer. Each child, family and situation is different

and as such should be treated this way. Read on for some of the positive and negative aspects of contact, as well as tips on managing contact.

- e-mail, - or Skype contact.

Many children will have a combination of these going on.

There are many different types of contact which may take place, such as: - supervised or unsupervised direct contact with birth parents or other relatives, - direct contact with siblings placed in other foster or adoptive homes, - letterbox contact, - telephone,

So what are the positives of contact?

In most cases the plan for a child...

Types of contact

“Contact allows parents to practice their parenting skills”

To view the full article please download from http://fosterfamilies.co.uk/download.html

Positives of contact

Photo: basibanget

Contact - essential or detrimental?

Personal Autumn 2012 foster families 11

Abuse between siblings

You may feel a failure when a placement breaks down, but Rita Mistry, foster carer, shares how it’s not always the foster carer’s fault

N

o one wants to feel that they have failed but it is very easy to feel that way when a placement goes wrong.

We had two siblings: very clever, high achievers, and very attractive young people. They came straight into our care from being removed from their home.

They were very polite, helpful and tidy. They did exactly what you asked them to do with no problems and, quite simply, they appeared to be model foster children... how wrong I was in my opinion of them. They

were in fact very damaged young people and it was all a front.

They had both learned to appear very presentable as a safety net to prevent anyone from finding out about the abuse they received at home.

It would have been difficult to know about the abuse going on in their home if one of them hadn’t told a family member who then contacted Social Services.

In fact, we were so enthusiastic about them that we mentioned to our agency that we would like to have them long term. This was something we had talked about for a while and we were just looking for the right

siblings - we thought we had found them, but how wrong could we be.

Once the ‘honeymoon period’ was over, they settled down and their real selves came out.

Antwon* talked negatively to Brynn* and was increasingly criticising him. I didn’t think too much of it at first but it became increasingly stronger and more negative.

I tackled Antwon and said that he shouldn’t be talking so negatively and critically to his sibling and that’s when Antwon said Brynn doesn’t deserve to be alive. I asked him why he thought that and he said Brynn wasn’t as good as he was and everything he did was rubbish ...

“The more I talked to Antwon, the more horrified I became”

*Names changed to protect identity

To view the full article please download from http://fosterfamilies.co.uk/download.html

We have three sets of prizes to win!

Once, Then, Now, and After, by Morris Gleitzman

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AND

his fourth instalment to the series for children aged nine+, brings this tragic and hopeful story to a close. After a heartbreaking struggle to survive as a Jewish child in Germany, Felix faces perhaps his greatest challenge - to find hope when he’s lost almost everything. He’s helped by a new friend, but if he should lose her as well...

RRP: £6.99 How to win Three winners will each receive a set of books including: Once, Then, Now and After by Morris Gleitzman and Gods and Warrriors hardback by Michelle Paver.

To be in with a chance of winning,

WIN

!

Gods and Warriors,

by Michelle Paver

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et in the Mediterranean Bronze Age, this is the first in an exciting five-part series aimed at children aged nine+.

A young boy called Hylas and a young girl called Pirra get thrown into a battle for survival against a backdrop of chariots, ocean-going ships, slaves, warriors, myths and magic. Their allies include a lion, a falcon and a dolphin. Can Hylas and Pirra defeat tyranny and withstand the elemental powers of the gods of land and sea? RRP: £12.99

simply email your name and address to competitions@fosterfamilies.co.uk with the subject line ‘Gleitzman/Paver’ and the answer to the following question: Gods and Warriors is set in which era? a) Bronze Age

b) Stone Age c) Ice Age The first three entries drawn at random on 25th October 2012 will win.

You can also enter by sending your details to the address on page 4.

Prizes Autumn 2012 foster families 12

Five copies of ‘Goodnight Digger’ to win!

!

WIN

Here’s the ideal book to read as part of your bedtime routine: Goodnight Digger. It’s the first in a new series of bedtime stories from the hugely talented author and illustrator team Michelle Robinson and Nick East.

What’s it about?

A little boy says goodnight to all his toys, but who is the favourite? Why, it’s Digger of course! With a rhyming text and atmospheric illustrations, Goodnight Digger will help the little one in your care go to bed and stay there! The perfect dose of bedtime magic for digger-mad boys everywhere.

How to win We’ve got five copies of this bedtime book to give away. To be in with a chance of winning, simply email your name and address to competitions@fosterfamilies.co.uk with the subject line ‘Goodnight Digger’ and the answer to the following question: Which toy is the little boy’s favourite? a) Teddy b) Digger c) Ball The first five entries drawn at random on 25th October 2012 will win. You can also enter by sending your details to the address on page 4.

COMPE Little ones can TITION sleep better in the car with the Outlook auto-shade The Outlook auto-shade is a universal car sun blind that covers the whole back passenger window with no gap. It doesn’t ping off and you can still open the window for ventilation. Much more effective at shading rear seat passengers from the sun than the small ‘stick on’ universal car blinds generally sold.

It also makes it easier for the kids to see DVD screens and game consoles in the back of the car.

Auto-shade screens over 90% of harmful UV rays – including UVA rays which can penetrate untreated glass.

It retails at £19.99, or £29.99 for a twin pack and can be found at Halfords.com, Amazon, Kiddicare and independent nursery specialists.

How to win We’ve got two sets of twin auto-shades to give away. To be in with a chance of winning, simply email your name and address to competitions@fosterfamilies.co.uk with the subject line ‘Auto-shade’ and the answer to the following question: Auto-shade screens what percentage of harmful rays? a) 15% b) 50% c) 90% The first two entries drawn at random on 25th October 2012 will win. You can also enter by sending your details to

the address on page 4.

Paired reading

Andrea Warman shares the benefits of reading and learning together

A

recent article in Foster Families programme for foster carers looking emphasised the benefits after primary school aged children. of carers reading stories to We wanted to produce something children. We often assume that it’s which would help them to play an only little children who enjoy this active role in children’s learning – kind of activity, but evidence from and make it less stressful and more a new project suggests that young fun. people and teenagers The “The impact of also like reading with result paired reading has was a their foster carers. And importantly, that it can been life changing” course have a positive impact on which their achievement. ran over 10 weeks, and had While working for BAAF (British the paired reading approach Association for Adopting and at its centre. The carers were Fostering) I was involved in shown how to use this childdeveloping and delivering a training centred technique which To view the full article please download from http://fosterfamilies.co.uk/download.html

involves adult and child reading out loud together, pausing frequently to talk about the book.

We piloted and evaluated the programme with foster carers in the London borough of Southwark ...

! r e n r o C s d i K

Autumn 2012 foster families 13

Win a whole series!

COMPETITI

ON

One person will win all eight books in the Samurai series, and three runners up will win The Ring of Sky The Ring of Sky is the the eighth - and final - part of the Young Samurai series by Chris Bradford. Aimed at children aged 11+, this final book sees Jack Fletcher running for his life.

What carers The port of Nagasaki is within reach, but the Shogun’s might want to samurai are closing in fast for the kill. So too is Jack’s know old school rival, Kazuki. Every road is blocked and Amied at boys and girls every mountain pass guarded as Jack makes his final dash for safety. aged 10 to 14 years But, with all of Japan hunting him, he’s going need a miracle to survive. And, and has a RRP of £6.99. even if he reaches the end of the road, will there be a ship bound for home? Or will he be burned at the stake first? Only the Ring of Sky knows his fate...

Enter here to win!

For your chance to win the full set of Young Samurai book, answer this question: How many books are there in the Young Samurai series? a) Five b) Eight c) Twelve The closing date is October 25th 2012 and the first correct entry drawn at random on that date will win the whole series.

The next three entries drawn at random will each win a copy of The Ring of Sky. Send your answer, along with your name and address, to competitions@fosterfamilies.co.uk with the subject line ‘Samurai’ for your chance to win our prize!

You can also enter the competition by sending your details to the address on page 4.

Letter Corner

The letters (below) spell out three animals you may find at the zoo.

Can you work out what they are?

OINL ____ GARIFEF _______ YONEKM ______

Review time!

Lindam: Bounce About I

f you’ve got a little one to keep entertained, why not try Bounce About, from Lindam?

My four month old loves it. It’s very simple to strap baby in, and the washable saddle is height adjustable and supportive. I found it easy to fix the bouncer onto the door frame and simple to then take down, even while keeping one eye on the baby.

It feels very secure and baby seems comfortable in it. She can bounce

and twirl in the doorway, enjoying the independence of standing up on her own while having a good view of all that’s going on around her.

It’s a handy way for keeping baby occupied while I get on with a few jobs, up until 12Kgs (26.46lb).

It is all detachable and it’s very easy to use (without needing a second pair of hands). I like how simple it is and would definitely recommend it.

RRP: £19.99

Download or order the full magazine from http://fosterfamilies.co.uk/download.html

Find us:

TION I T E P OM

Autumn 2012 foster families 14

C

Yezz, it really is up for grabs!

Now’s your chance to win the Quinny Yezz - the ideal pushchair for shopping and going on the bus

W

e know what it’s like trying to get around town with little ones in tow, so we’re offering one foster carer the chance to win the new Quinny Yezz.

Forget what you know about other lightweight buggies - the Yezz is like nothing you’ve seen before.

Suitable from six months, the Yezz is lightweight and compact for shopping aisles, making it the ideal shopping buggy.

How to win For your chance to win the Quinny Yezz, simply email your name and address to competitions@ fosterfamilies.co.uk with the subject line ‘Yezz’ and the answer to the following question: What age is the Yezz suitable from? a) Six months b) Nine months c) One year The first entry drawn at random on 25th October 2012 will win. You can also enter by sending your details to the address on page 4.

If you find yourself speeding around the city, jumping on and off buses and sometimes wish you could tackle the underground with a buggy and babe in arms then the Quinny Yezz is the buggy for you.

Weighing just five kg the Quinny Yezz is easy to collapse and fling over your shoulder using the comfortable strap - all while holding your baby and your handbag. Off at the other end, release and shake out the buggy, lock into place, and you are both ready to get going again.

The seat has been designed with a slight angle to keep napping children comfortable for hours.

It’s great for holidays as you’ll barely even notice it in the car boot!

The wheels on the Quinny Yezz are skating wheels, making it responsive and easy to manoeuvre with a smooth ride.

The Quinny Yezz is available in a range of striking and bright colours to suit your mood - Grey Road, for a classic chic look; Blue Track, an electric blue; Red Signal, sure to stop

and turn heads; Pink Hybrid, for all those girly girls; Green Curve is a beautiful emerald green and Yellow Move, is bright and bold.

RRP: £175.00

Mamas and Papas: Sola Our thoughts on the versatile Sola pushchair

E

mma Shaw says: “We tested the Mamas & Papas Sola pushchair with the help of our two and a half year old and eight week old nephews.

The metal frame provides a very sturdy and long lasting base onto which you can place either a chair, carrycot or car seat facing forwards or backwards as you prefer. The basic chair option is suitable from birth to around three years but feels very open for a newborn so we would definitely buy the carrycot addition for those first few months.

The large wheels coped very well with different types of terrain - a must if you live near cobbled streets

or gravely paths! The chair extends in length for toddler use and our older nephew certainly enjoyed testing it out.

The pattern on the inside of the hood was a big hit with him, as were the patterned straps!

The pushchair frame supported his weight easily and navigating steps or curbs was not an issue with either child.

Overall we were extremely pleased - if you’re looking for a stylish long lasting pushchair which can take you from birth to toddler years then we would definitely recommend you check out the Sola.”

Download or order the full magazine from http://fosterfamilies.co.uk/download.html Find us:

Competitions Autumn 2012 foster families 15

Turbo Hauck to win Your chance to win this lightweight run around town buggy!

Win

For your chance to win, use the clues below to fill out the crossword. The coloured squares are an anagram of a word linked to something you might need when going back to school.

Once you’ve worked that out, email your answer to competitions@fosterfamilies. co.uk with the subject line ‘Turbo’, or post it to: Competitions, 39 Livingstone Street, Worcester, WR5 2ES. Don’t forget to include your name and address. The competition closes on October 25th 2012 and the first correct entry drawn on this date will win the prize.

F

oster Families has teamed up with Hauck to give one reader the chance to win the Turbo buggy.

An extra lightweight reclining stroller, the Turbo has an adjustable backrest and footrest. The 5-point safety harness has padded shoulder straps to make sure the child in your care is comfortable and secure, and the canopy can be removed if necessary.

The swivel front wheels make the Turbo easy to move around, yet can also be locked if preferred. The wheel suspension system make for a smooth ride on any surface, and with a large shopping basket the Turbo is the ideal run about town for a busy foster carer.

Suitable from birth up until the child weighs 15kg.

RRP: £179.99.

See our review on p15.

Across

1. Small tool with one or more blades (8) 5. A knitted sweater with buttoned-up front (8) 10. 19th century transport (8) 11. Large African animal (8)

Down

1. A measured step (4) 2. Short for normal (4) 3. Part of a finger or toe (4) 4. The Union Jack for example (4) 6. Trip over (4) 7. Let fall (4) 8. Ali _ _ _ _ (4) 9. Nuisance (4)

Download or order the full magazine from http://fosterfamilies.co.uk/download.html

Find us:

The

company

ot

Call 01202 759401

Our ‘convertible’ bunkcots have been designed with ‘saving space’ in mind. The cots are easily converted from cots to bunk beds - and comes with everything you need for all the combinations shown in the pictures on the right, including 2 mattresses and a ladder. Available in natural beechwood and white. The bunkcot is suitable for newborns and children up to 6 years old.

• the bunkcot can convert easily and quickly to accommodate any child you are caring for (up to 6 years old) • the base of the top cot can easily be raised or lowered to suit your current needs • replacement mattresses are available at £29.95 each • we offer a 15% discount to registered fostercarers please call or email us for further information.

For further information visit our website or contact us on: Tel: (01202) 759401 Email: info@thebunkcot.com

www.thebunkcot.com