Summer 2012 Online - Foster Families Magazine

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Summer 2012 Issue 13

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Teens on holidays Planning a holiday you can ALL enjoy

Win theBabaSling Two of these slings are up for grabs

Education & trauma Top tips on supporting them at school

Adoption: our story Rita tells the ups and downs of the adoption process

“A great magazine packed to the brim with information. A very useful resource for foster carers - and at a very reasonable price too,” Inspired Foundations

Contents Summer 2012 foster families 2

Contents Summer 2012

Edition 13

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

Photos, clockwise from top left: CDI Europe, Loren Kerns, Studiostoer, Isa Costa, Charlotte Morrall, Cherie Joyful

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advice . . .

become a foster carer series: self employed... 5 family tree? not me ... 9 school and nappies don’t mix: toilet training ... 29

internet safety . . .

social networking and birth family

support . . . reviews ...

dry like me ... 29 i can cook range ... 34 sistema klip it boxes ... 34 little tikes first slide ... 37 thebabasling ... 39

allegations: your letters answered attachment, trauma and education taking a break: why you need one

teenagers . . .

understanding teens taking teens on a family holiday

attachment, trauma and education ... 12 what did you say? how older kids interact ... 15 supporting kids with adhd and odd ... 17 taking a break ... 21 it’s party time ... 23 caring for asylum seeking children ... 25 teens on holiday ... 32 your letters ... 38

communication . . .

behavioural support . . . ask our psychologist: adhd and odd

higher education . . . early learning at ‘spring school’

personal . . .

your party stories our adoption story

training . . .

is your knowledge valued?

competitions ...

dry like me ... 29 little tikes first slide ... 37 thebabasling ... 39

seeking asylum . . .

how foster carers can help

food and health . . .

Cover photo: Tika Gregory

cathy glass: diet and behaviour spicy aubergine recipe card cooking tips for careleavers chris’s cookery cards: pasta

fun stuff . . .

kids’ corner crossword

... 7 ... 10 ... 21

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... 13 ... 32

what did you say? how older kids interact

our top tips ...

... 6

... 14

... 16

21

... 18

... 23 ... 27

... 24

... 25

... 30 ... 35 ... 35 ... 36

30 ... 37 ... 39 Find us:

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

Welcome Summer 2012 foster families 3

Welcome from the editor...

Foster Families Online

Dear Reader, It’s been a busy few months for me since the last issue with the birth of my lovely daughter - busy but fun!

Whether you’re taking the foster kids on holiday with you or having some time out at home, you’ll find tips and ideas inside this issue to help make it a fun summer.

If you foster teenagers there’s lots of advice for understanding them, and we’ve got toilet training tips for little ones too. Remember to send your questions in and our experts will answer them with fantastic advice.

So sit back and have a good read!

Ceressa Bateman, Editor

r foste a e m beco - part 6 o t How r series care

What can you find?

Visit www.fosterfamilies.co.uk for the latest news and updates from Foster Families Magazine.

The website has a cookery corner with video tips, a shop, a swap shop and a competitions page, plus lots more. You can order the magazine in different currencies depending on where you live, or you can download the magazine for £1.

For more updates you can follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/Foster_Families or become a fan on our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Foster-FamiliesMagazine/144256428433

Working for me

Thinking of fostering?

Hayley Payne explains why foster carers must register as self employed

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nce you become a foster carer it’s important to register as self employed.

This is probably the last thing on your mind when you get your first placement given all that entails.

However, if it’s put to the bottom of the pile for too long it can cause you more worry than it needs to and may lead to penalties - if you aren’t registered you aren’t able to meet the tax return submission deadlines.

It’s easy!

The process of registration is simple honestly! All you need is your name, address, date of birth and national insurance number.

You can register by the following methods: Contact your advisor (FosterTax registers its clients) Online – www.hmrc.gov.uk (Search on self employment) Ringing HMRC Call them on: 0845 915 4515 Submitting forms CWF1 It can take HMRC up to six weeks

“Not registering can lead to penalties”

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to process your forms - another reason not to leave it to the last minute.

Foster carers and HMRC Foster carers are treated as being self employed by H M Revenue & Customs (HMRC). This means that you must register with HMRC and, if required to, must submit a tax return on time to avoid penalties.

Things have changed!

In the past HMRC allowed foster ...

FosterTax specialise in looking after the taxation affairs of foster carers.

Please contact Hayley on 01207 524909 or visit our website: www.fostertax.co.uk.

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

Internet Safety Summer 2012 foster families 4

Will you be my ‘friend’?

Lorna Miles shares how social networking can be a problematic way for birth families to get in touch

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ike it or not, it seems that social networking sites such as Facebook and Myspace are here to stay... and the ways in which our young people can access these sites is ever increasing.

Most of us keep an eye on things when children are on the computer but did you know that they can also access these sites via Xbox, Nintendo DS, Wii and Playstation 3?

Most smart phones have an internet facility which means that ‘posts’ can be made on the move and well away from the prying eyes of adults. More and more young people are also using applications such as Google Latitude which lets them share their location alongside their Facebook

page so ‘friends’ know exactly where they are.

Being ‘online’ can create the illusion of being protected from the ‘real’ world and many young people have a very different online persona and say or post pictures of things they wouldn’t have the confidence to do in real life.

Others just don’t think of the possible implications of their actions and post things with devastating consequences. One girl I know sent her boyfriend a topless photo from her mobile phone to his. He wanted to show off to his mates so he posted it on Facebook. It was in turn reposted and circulated far and wide before someone ...

“Posts can be made on the move, using smart phones”

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

Be prepared, be protected Debra Gibbs, Fostering Support Ltd, answers your

questions on allegations

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e’ve had allegations made against us and the children removed from our care. This has been devastating, but what has followed since has been worse.

There was a Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) meeting with the Local Authority (LA) and other agencies, which we weren’t allowed to attend. We work for an Independent Fostering Agency (IFA) but the person representing us didn’t know everything as she wasn’t our Supervising Social Worker (SSW).

Things were said which were

D

ear Mary, I’m sorry to hear that you’re having such a difficult time.

Strategy meeting Although you feel that your agency

completely fabricated, and we were told that there will be some ‘soft information’ on our CRB to say this meeting was held.

We don’t understand how people can have meetings about us, without us there, and with no proper representation... and we don’t have a ‘right to reply’! We phoned a legal helpline but they didn’t know anything about a soft option on a CRB, just a discretionary box. The only advice was to get a copy of our file and put in a complaint to the LA

and later if we want to the IFA. There are guidelines to protect SWs and rules to help support the parents... but as for foster carers? It seems that people can say what they want and get away with it. The things said in the meeting and the reasons to remove the children were mostly based on someone’s opinion and not on evidence or facts. While it makes us feel like giving up we don’t want this hanging over us. If we did give up we would want it to be our choice. Can you help? Mary*

“It seems that people can say what they want”

and the LA have been excluding you from meetings, the LADO meeting you refer to is never open to foster carers. This is sometimes called a strategy meeting and it is

hoped that in every case the agency representative would know you well.

However, because of the three day timescale, sometimes the best that can be achieved is a well-briefed ...

To view the full article please download from http://fosterfamilies.co.uk/download.html *Name changed to protect identity

Personal Summer 2012 foster families 5

Our adoption story Rita Mistry tells the long process of adopting a child she’d fostered from birth

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hen we had a mother and baby placement three years ago we didn’t know that we would end up adopting this beautiful child. Sadly the placement broke down with the mother failing to care for her baby.

She left before she was asked to leave by Social Services (SS) and the baby remained with us. The mother put forward a name of who she thought the dad might be and we had to take Rufus* for a DNA test. We were told that the man was very excited about the prospect of being a dad but the DNA test came back negative. So the decision was made at the looked after child (LAC) review for Rufus to be put up for adoption.

At that point the Local Authority (LA) social worker for the child asked us if we would be interested in adopting him. To say I was gobsmacked was an understatement!

It had crossed my mind that I would love to adopt him but I immediately put it out of my mind for several reasons - the most important one was that I was approaching my 60th birthday and did not think I would be accepted because of my age.

I immediately told the social worker that we would love to and was completely honest with her regarding my age. She told me that should not be a problem.

My husband and I talked it over together and also with our family.

We both said that we would love to adopt Rufus but we were still unsure whether we would be accepted or not.

The next step was to talk it over with my link worker. Unfortunately he

Photo: Scott Granneman

“I didn’t think I’d be accepted as I was approaching 60”

Age is sometimes a barrier when considering adopting

did not support our application - the main reason being my age. We were just about to go on holiday and he told us to think it over.

So we went away for two weeks with Rufus in respite. While on holiday we missed him so much that we decided that when we got back we would approach a solicitor who deals with family law and see what the chances were of us being accepted.

We were told that there should not be a problem as, although there was a negative on one side, there were many, many pluses on the ...

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

Attachment, trauma and education Not coping in education? Jenny Jones, Inspired Foundations, explains why and offers some strategies for supporting them

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common problem experienced is their ability to cope within education environments. There are many reasons for this and also many ways in which children can display their issues. There are also some key things that can be put in place to help these children, but the first of these has to be understanding.

Unsettled start Children who are in care will have undoubtedly experienced an unsettled start to their lives, often being moved around birth family members, or between different foster carers. Many have also experienced abuse and neglect. These events all lead to the child having a very children in foster care *Nameby changed to protect identity

different view of the world compared to other children of the same age.

Children who have experienced trauma and did not have their needs met will have an ‘internal working model’ which tells them: “I am bad and worthless, caregiver’s are untrustworthy and the world is dangerous.” It’s therefore understandable that they would find educational environments difficult to cope with.

For a child who has experienced trauma, school may mean: • Being separated from their carer • Having contact with a range of different people with varying roles (lunchtime supervisors, teaching assistants, teachers, caretaker etc..)

• Being expected to know who these people are and how you should act around them • Always having to be on the look-out for danger • Trying to understand and manage friendships • Constantly worrying about food (will there be enough lunch left for me at dinner time?)

• Trying to do work which may be too difficult • Receiving praise and rewards when inside they feel worthless Not a priority While the intentions of teachers and other professionals are often good, it’s a simple fact that learning is not a priority for these children....

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

Higher Education Summer 2012 foster families 6

Early learning

Terri Sandison shares how children in care blossom at ‘Spring School’

Support for care leavers at Winchester Leanne Hart “The University of Winchester has been very supportive. If it wasn’t for the staff at the University – I would never have had the confidence to apply. The level of support received is fantastic and it’s given me confidence to know that I have such an excellent support network behind me.�

Benefits include: Ě? Ž“Œ ‘‹—Š‰ ˆÂ?”‘†—˜Â?Ž•˨ œ”—™Â? ͈̈́˨͇͇͇ •Š— žŠ†— Ě? •ŠˆŽ†‘ Â?Š‘• †“‰ ˜š••”—™ œŽ™Â? Â?”š˜Ž“Œ †——†“ŒŠ’Š“™˜ Ě? Š˜ŽŒ“†™Š‰ Š‘‹†—Š ‰›Ž˜Š— Ě? ™—”“Œ •†—™“Š—˜Â?Ž•˜ œŽ™Â? ‘”ˆ†‘ †š™Â?”—Ž™ŽŠ˜

Find out more: Terri Sandison T: 01962 827225 E: Terri.Sandison@winchester.ac.uk

www.winchester.ac.uk

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n April 2012, 18 young people in the care of Hampshire County Council’s Children’s Services were brought together for a residential experience at the University of Winchester.

Aged between 13 and 18, the purpose of events such as these is to raise their awareness of higher education, support them in fulfilling their ambitions and give them belief in their own abilities.

As one participant said: “Some people don’t think we

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 (ÂŁ1800, 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 (ÂŁ1800, 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

Higher Education Summer 2012 foster families 7

The programme has a positive impact on educational progress

SUPPORT FOR CARE LEAVERS aspire to higher education, but we “The programme don’t want to be another statistic.” involved new skills - I The three day programme organised have never had the by the University included a range opportunity that the of arts workshops which involved University has been the young people in making a radio able to offer me and podcast, recording a television it’s been amazing to news broadcast, creative writing, experience. We had drama and overview of “Projects like this an producing media roles, help to break down including special effects. a variety stereotypes” As one of things group of young people explained: from planning ...

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. *Conditions apply

To find out more information visit www.kingston.ac.uk/compact or contact us on compact@kingston.ac.uk or telephone 020 8417 3233 X(12.103)A

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

Taking a break at support for

Jonquil Mitchell gives her top tips on the need for time out

Photo: Isa Costa

Set an example Our children need us to help manage their stress and to find ways to reduce it. One of the best ways we can help do this is by modelling healthy and effective coping strategies ourselves. Taking regular time out is number one on the list.

Making use of supervision and demanding the training to equip us

to do our jobs are numbers two and three.

Provision of respite care offers a formal recognition of the need for planned and regular breaks throughout the fostering career. There is no point in using it only when we are exhausted. It is a preventative safety measure, not a treatment for burn out. So let’s use our respite and enjoy our special time to look after ourselves and our precious burdens. Start today. Book a break now.

Supervision is our time to reflect on what our fostering is doing to us. We can choose to bombard our supervisors with chapter and verse of what the child

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care leavers

●

A dedicated team offering ongoing support and mentoring throughout your degree programme

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Financial support, such as help towards the cost of Open Day visits and a bursary of £1,000 a year, subject to conditions

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Support in fi nding a job after graduation

Call 020 8331 8586 or visit gre.ac.uk/careleavers did or said that was so typical of his attitude and reinforces our perceptions ...

More about Jonquil Jonquil Mitchell is a Senior Social Work Practitioner at Cabrini Children’s Society

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

Teenagers Summer 2012 foster families 8

Tricky situations Shân Dobinson, foster carer, shares her tips on understanding teenagers

F

ostering is full of tricky situations, whatever the age of the child you foster!

My experience is with fostering teenagers, and I learnt that every teenager is different... although there are of course similarities.

Challenging behaviours ranged from verbal abuse, swearing, lying and stealing to undermining, taunting and threatening. Teenagers can have toddler tantrums one minute and go binge drinking the next.

Life is unpredictable with teenagers, until you get to know them. And that is the heart of the matter: get to know them and accept them for who they are.

Needing acceptance When I think of one teenage

girl I fostered, I see so many contradictions. Often she verbally attacked me and yet she also desperately wanted acceptance and love. She had experienced rejection all her life from family, foster carers and social workers because she cleverly and regularly brought everything to a crisis point.

She wanted to go out and see her friends, but she didn’t want me to go out and see mine. At first, that seemed so unfair, but when I understood about her insecure attachment, I didn’t stress about it.

On one occasion, she said to me: “So aren’t you going to chuck me out now?”

I replied: “No, I don’t play that game.”

Now in her twenties, we talk about

what a turning point that was for her.

Running away

Why do fostered teenagers run away? There are many reasons why the young person in your care may run away: could they be looking for someone or something, avoiding someone or something, wanting a reaction or to take control?

One teenager in my care regularly ran away, sometimes miles. One Sunday evening she failed to return on the last bus. I left messages on her mobile and then reported her missing.

On Monday, her social worker criticised me for contacting the police because she went missing so often.

However, she had a protection ...

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

Taking a teenager on holiday this summer?

Check out these tips for avoiding a teen tantrum and having fun as a family instead

been sharing their top tips on the best ways to travel without a teenage tantrum in sight.

Thelma & Louise member Deborah Klaassen says: “I suggest starting the holiday off on the right foot with generosity and kindness. Make sure teens don’t get Encourage them to make friends if possible bored by bringing games, magazines and other things “If they start to act up, try to that they might find interesting. understand what they’re going ...

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

Photo: Stewart Black

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pending time together on holiday can be fun, relaxing and a great way of getting to know the ‘real’ person that you care for. But when they get to a certain age, some teens resent spending so much time with younger siblings and ‘boring’ adults. They may have already voiced that they don’t want to leave their friends and spend a full week or two with just the foster family.

If you’re concerned about the prospect of taking a stroppy teen on holiday, you’re probably not alone!

Members of women’s online travel community Thelma & Louise have

I’m a foster carer. Do I need to think about tax?

Yes. As a foster carer, you are treated as self-employed and should be registered as such with H M Revenue & Customs. You may also need to file an annual tax return and pay income tax and National Insurance contributions.

All of this for just ÂŁ150.

Please call for more information.

We will: Register your self-employment Provide a financial review to identify potential tax savings Prepare your income statement and self assessment tax return Advise on any correspondence received from the tax authorities

Tel: 0121 445 0459

Unlimited email and telephone support

Web: www.andrewcrowe.co.uk

Allowing you to get on with the amazing job that you do!

Specialist Tax Advice for Foster Carers Registered with the Association of Taxation Technicians as a practising member

Email: enquiries@andrewcrowe.co.uk

ac ANDREW CROW E ACCOUNTS | BUSINESS | TAX

CIS Assessment SAVE TIME AND MONEY

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Our assessments quickly and easily evidence knowledge against training standards enabling you to concentrate only on learning to meet the gaps in your knowledge.

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Measure and evidence your knowledge Demonstrate where you don’t need training Identify what your learning needs are Focus your time on your learning needs Make sure you get the most from training Fast track through training standards

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Customer Testimony This programme is excellent The simplicity of the assessments and the way it has been designed really does make it incredibly user friendly

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Is your knowledge valued?

Sarah Knapp, CIS Assessment, shares how you can avoid repeating training

H

ave you taken time out of your internet research, discussion with busy life to attend training others, e-learning or reading? Some only to find you already know learning methods enable you to all or most of the course content? choose what and when you learn and Find out how you can avoid wasting could cost less. time repeating Do you already have “Time is precious, training: sufficient knowledge?

Check How will you evidence use it wisely” the this and convince people ‘learning outcomes’ for training that you are already sufficiently courses and who the target audience knowledgeable in a subject? Evidence is. Use this information to ascertain if could be through discussion, an the course is right for you. assessment, or observing practice.

Speak personally to the All of these can be documented in trainer Discuss the learning writing, voice recorded or on video. outcomes versus your level of Set yourself some learning knowledge to find out what you will targets making sure you focus gain from attending the course. the time you set aside for learning on Consider what you already your identified priorities. know, what the gaps are in your Consider getting together knowledge and prioritise what you with a group of people need to learn. with varying expertise to share Understand your learning information and learn from each style Could you learn through other. You can learn by sharing

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experiences, testing out ideas and considering other people’s views.

Training courses can also provide these opportunities but prior group discussion could facilitate agreeing a list of learning needs and by sharing these with trainers, course learning outcomes can focus more on identified learning needs.

Feedback to trainers and organisers if you attend training and didn’t learn anything new to reduce the likelihood of this happening to someone else.

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For more info about online assessments that measure and evidence knowledge against training standards like CWDC, Safeguarding Children, Autism and others, contact: info@CIS-Assessment.co.uk 0845 873 0373

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

Support Summer 2012 foster families 11

School and nappies don’t mix

Alison Love explains why nappies could be to blame for children not being potty trained Win

T

he number of accidents, such as children wetting or soiling themselves during the school day, has increased over the past

five years*.

There are a number of factors contributing to this rise, but Judith Hough and Diane Titterton, creators of Dry Like Me, lay much of the blame on the nappy-style toilet training pants that parents are using.

Their research shows that there has been a steady increase in the age at which children become toilet trained.

Back in the 1960s the average age was two, and it has been rising since

!

then – coinciding with the introduction We have 10 boxes to give away! To enter the competition, of the disposable answer this simple question: Over the last five years, the nappy in 1961. In number of wetting and soiling accidents at school has...? recent years there a) Increased has also been an b) Decreased increase in the Send your answer, along with your name and address to number of children competitions@fosterfamilies.co.uk with the subject line using nappy-style ‘Dry Like Me’. The first ten correct answers drawn on July training pants and 20th 2012 will win. the average age at which children become dry is now around three or dry and stop wearing them – they three and a half. actually do their job too well.”

Judith says: “Parents are being After experiencing their own potty encouraged to use nappy-style training difficulties and doing training pants when they move their extensive research with parents child out of nappies, but these are and children, Judith and Diane ... really just nappies by another name. They Nic tried Dry Like Me pads while potty training her three are so absorbent year old. She says: “They’re great for giving kids extra and comfortable confidence in the transition from nappies to pants. Especially that there is little good for going out and about where there may not be a toilet incentive for the close-by or for travelling long distances.” children to get

Win a box of Dry Like Me

How we got on:

*According to 71% of primary school staff working with three to five year olds in a recent study

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

Challenging behaviours Ask our psychologist 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, I have had a placement for nearly seven months now - a boy aged 10 with ADHD. He is our first placement and has kindly provided us with some of the most challenging behaviours I have encountered. However, of late his behaviour is concurrent with ODD which is becoming unmanagable. I know the two are linked, and I hate labels, but this is putting a lot of stress on the placement. Any tips or ideas on how to deal with this? Nathan* irst, thank you for getting in and high physical activity begins as a culturally

touch. I was pleased to see that to affect a child’s home and school constructed you ‘hate labels’. That is a useful life adversely, these behaviours condition. In basis on which to start. are often reported to a psychiatrist other words, that You mention that the little boy you or paediatrician. Consequently, it is a pattern of look after (let’s call him Bradley*), these behaviours become labelled behaviour rather has attention deficit hyperactivity as ADHD and then accepted as a than a medical disorder (ADHD). I assume that medical condition. Some medics condition. Those Bradley has received such a diagnosis believe that this is a neuropractitioners from a psychiatrist or paediatrician. developmental disorder requiring argue such Also, you mention oppositional stimulant medication as treatment. behaviour defiant disorder (ODD). I will deal Indeed, this is a very powerful and requires broadly with the typical behaviours dominant viewpoint. However, there strategies to that tend to fall within such labels. is increasing concern and debate support the child’s The labels about the validity of such diagnoses. development When low concentration, impulsivity Some practitioners perceive ADHD manage the ...

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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

Food and Health Summer 2012 foster families 12

Cathy’s Column Best-selling author and foster carer Cathy Glass explains how diet can effect behaviour

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Young foster carers needed!

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n award-winning documentaries company is making a film about young foster carers in Britain aged 18-28. This will explore what the experience is like, celebrate the young people who are doing an outstanding job and encourage more young people to step forward to help address the foster family shortfall in the UK. If you’d like to find out more or know someone who might be interested, please call Mel on 020 7428 3176 for a confidential chat or email melb@filmsofrecord.com – you will be under no obligation to take part, it would just be helpful for research.

Photo: Charlotte.Morrall

. e are what we eat is a well-known phrase, meaning that the food we eat is absorbed by our bodies and therefore becomes part of us. Food is essential for cell growth and repair, our development and general health.

However, it is not only our bodies and our physical health that are at the mercy of what we eat, but also our brains and central nervous system.

There is now a wealth of scientific evidence to show that children’s (and adults’) behaviour is greatly affected by diet.

Food additives and behaviour Chemicals, known as E numbers, are added to processed food and drink, to make it attractive, palatable, and to preserve shelf life. All European countries must list food additives, including E numbers, on the food package, and while many additives Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). It banned in Norway and Finland. are not harmful others have been is used in orange squash, orange Quinoline yellow (E104) has been shown to cause side effects, jelly, marzipan, Swiss roll, apricot linked to ADHD, restlessness and especially in children who are more jam, citrus marmalade, lemon curd, irritability. Found in ices, Scotch eggs, vulnerable. sweets, hot chocolate mix, packet smoked haddock, hair products, Here are a few examples*: soups, breadcrumbs, cheese sauce, colognes and a wide range of Sunset yellow (E110) can cause ice cream, canned fish and many medications. Allowed in the UK, but or aggravate Attention Deficit and medications. Allowed in the UK, but banned in Australia, Japan, Norway...

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

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Food and Health Summer 2012 foster families 13

Cooking tips for care leavers

Chris Graham shares some easy pasta recipes - great if the young person in your care is moving on Chris’s Cookery Classes

In each issue, cookery expert Chris Graham shares some top tips and a new method for baking and cooking with the child or young person in your care. You can cut out and collect these tasty recipes.

Pasta

Pasta is a good source of energy, often used by athletes and dancers to keep up their strength.

Pasta comes in a variety of shapes and sizes - different shapes work best with different sauces.

It doesn’t have much flavour, so takes up the flavour of what’s with it - this means it can also work well as a pudding!

Meet the Chef

Chris Graham is a qualified nurse and teacher of cookery, nutrition, life skills and parenting.

Cooking

When cooking pasta, you will need masses of water - about two litres in a big pan. Make sure little kids know not to touch or grab the pan – keep the handle to the side, not over the edge.

You will know when the pasta is cooked when it is still a little chewy, and not too hard, but not too soft.

Ideal for care leavers

The recipes I’ve prepared are great basic meals for older kids and teens who are learning to cook for themselves or for those going off to university. If the young person in your care is at the age where they will soon be leaving care and living

independently, try these dishes with them and show them that healthy meals are easy to prepare.

Experiment with kids

Kids love to play and experiment with weird ideas, so the Philippino pudding is ideal. I had my doubts when asked to try it by my Philippino friend, but I loved it and kept the recipe. It’s very yummy and fresh.

Let us know what you think!

Video tips online

For more tips and advice, make sure you visit www.fosterfamilies.co.uk/ cookery.html. Here you can see me demonstrate the different techniques talked about in these recipes.

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

Kids can cook too A fun range kids can use safely in the kitchen

W

hen cooking with your foster children, we recommend I Can Cook’s fabulous range for kids.

Inspired by the CBeebies show, Lakeland have created a whole host of kitchenware pieces for little hands to get to grips with, that adults will find just as useful too. Available in a range of fun, bright colours there are whisks, a rotary grater with measuring jug, spatulas, bowls and baking mats.

And to compliment the range, the I Can Cook book, published by Hamlyn, is packed full of recipes from the TV series for young chefs to try.

The new range is available in store, online and in Lakeland catalogues.

Review The products in this range are bright and fun, yet also very sturdy. They’ve brightened up my kitchen and make it much easier for kids to help out with the dinner. You don’t need to worry about little fingers getting trapped or cut as it’s all designed for kids to use safely.

Download or order the full magazine from http://fosterfamilies.co.uk/download.html Review The lunch boxes clip shut very securely so you don’t have to worry about your food falling out. You can separate your meal into different compartments, meaning your carrot sticks are safe from sandwich crumbs!

Take it with you If you’re looking for a handy lunch box for holiday picnics, try Sistema’s range of Klip It boxes. You’ll find the different sizes suit the different members of your foster family.

The range also includes airtight storage boxes which are great for tidying

up your cupboards.

As well as this they have a new microwave range that includes a soup-to-go mug with a pressure release vent for splatter free heating there’ll be no more spills in the microwave or burning fingers on clingfilm! You can easily steam food in the tupperware boxes in your

microwave keeping all the goodness in food that you would loose from boiling.

The tupperware boxes are also freezer and dish washer friendly.

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

ids Corner!

K

Summer 2012 foster families 14

Two to win!

Now’s your chance to win this fab First Slide!

I

COMPETITI

f the little one in your care loves playing at the park, you can bring the fun of the slide to your home or garden. The Little Tikes First Slide gives toddlers the chance to get active and adventurous all year round.

The slide is extra stable and has high hand rails, so ‘beginners’ will find it easy and comfortable to navigate.

Minimal assembly is needed and the slide can be easily stored away.

You can choose from two fun colourways – pink/purple or blue/green.

For stockist details, call Little Tikes on 01908 268480 or visit www.littletikes.co.uk.

ON

Enter here to win! For your chance to win a Little Tikes First

Slide, answer the Letter Corner competition below. The closing date is July 20th 2012 and the first two correct entries drawn on that date will win.

Review

Letter Corner

We tried the slide, and here’s what Lynn, a carer to two little ones, thought: ”It was very easy to assemble - it came in just a few chunky pieces which took a couple of minutes to click in place.

It’s great value for money - good quality and slightly older children can easily enjoy playing on it too.”

What carers might want to know Designed for ages 18 months to four years and has a RRP of £29.99.

EIDSL _____ GWSISN ______ LOPE ____

The letters (right) spell out three things you may play on at a park.

Can you work out what they are?

Send the answers, along with your name and address, to competitions@fosterfamilies.co.uk with the subject line ‘Little Tikes’ for your chance to win our prize!

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: Reviews

Nicki Bewell for winning the Gruffalo’s Child on DVD, Ruth Jones for winning the Magic Blackout Blind and ‘Diary of a Sleep Deprived Mum’ book, Di Dilly for winning the KidCam,

in a fantastic gift set from Quack and Cari Randall, Linda Taylor, Sue W Hill, Cheryl Catherwood and Leyton Anderson for winning the ‘Sir Scallywag and the Golden book Julia Donaldson’s The Gruffalo’s Child is Underpants’ brought to you by Entertainment One. all in our Spring 2012 issue.

Cert: C/G Look out for this issue’s competitions onTime:pages Running 25 mins 29, 37 and 39.

WI

N!

Win The Gruffalo’s Child on DVD!

DVD RRP: £12.99 Blu-ray RRP: £15.99

Find out how to win The Gruffalo’s Child on DVD To enter, answer this simple question: Who wrote The Gruffalo’s Child? a) Roald Dahl b) Julia Donaldson Send your answer, along with your name and address to competitions@fosterfamilies.co.uk with the subject

Download or order the full magazine from http://fosterfamilies.co.uk/download.html What did we think?

Find us:

Competitions Summer 2012 foster families 15

Your chance to win

COMPE

thebabasling®!

TITION

The versatile baby carrier that keeps baby close and safe - two to win!

F

oster Families has teamed up with BabaSlings Ltd to offer two readers the chance to win theBabaSling®. An ideal companion for all foster carers, it makes going out easy - it can be adjusted to any member of the family in seconds, and means you can leave the stroller at home. What’s more, theBabaSling® is made from 100% cotton, is machine washable, and comes with a lifetime quality guarantee!

Recommended by midwives, healthcare professional and osteopaths, theBabaSling® has been carefully designed to support your newborn’s developing spine through to two years (15kg). The unique buckling system also allows you to simply unclip the carrier without disturbing your sleeping baby. theBabaSling® retails from £39.99 and is available in a choice of 15 stylish colours.

For more information visit www.thebabasling.com.

Win

For your chance to win, use the questions, below, to fill out the crossword. The coloured squares are an anagram of a word linked to theBabaSling®.

Once you’ve worked that out, email your answer to competitions@fosterfamilies.co.uk with the subject line ‘theBabaSling’, or post it to: Competitions, 39 Livingstone Street, Worcester, WR5 2ES. Don’t forget to include your name and address. The competition closes on July 20th 2012 and the first two correct entries drawn on this date will win the prize.

Review

“It’s easy to switch to a different position when out and about, you just slide the baby in and make sure you’re both comfortable.

The sling comes in a slimline carrycase - small enough to put in your bag.

The material is comfy for baby while supportive for you - my baby has certain positions she prefers. It’s great as she can snuggle in really close when she wants to.”

Across

1. Landscape view (8) 5. Old word for photo (8) 10. Mr. Beckham’s wife (8) 11. Place to hang clothes (8)

Down

1. Shove (4) 2. Not far (4) 3. Fragrant flower (4) 4. In the night sky (4) 6. You’ll need this to enter some countries (4) 7. Horse for breeding, or a nail head (4) 8. Group of three (4) 9. Luggage for carrying clothes (4) Download or order the full magazine from http://fosterfamilies.co.uk/download.html

Find us:

Maths & English tuition Seven great reasons to choose Explore Learning... & help children in your care love learning!

1. Supporting their work at school

We work extensively with local schools and all our courses are mapped to the National Curriculum. This means that we can support each child, every step of the way from foundation to secondary.

2. An individual plan for each child

At Explore Learning we cater for children of all abilities - stretching and challenging whilst supporting and nurturing. Each child will work at their own pace and to a personalised plan that can cover all elements of maths and English, ranging from handwriting, spelling and poetry to telling the time and fractions.

3. Flexible membership

Explore Learning centres can be found throughout the UK and are open 7 days a week all year round meaning children get consistent support throughout term-time and holidays. Once members, children can attend the Explore Learning centre twice a week without booking or calling in advance.

4. In partnership with carers

Tutors work in partnership with carers and children, allowing families to come in to discuss each child’s progress throughout and tailor their individual concerns to their tuition curriculum.

5. Fun and friendly environment

Our centre is a fun and friendly place where children make great progress, meet new friends and enjoy learning!

6. Use your Personal Education Allowance!

Explore Learning is Ofsted registered and so you can use your personal education allowance to pay for membership.

7. Free initial consultation - Come along and judge for yourself!

Visit our website to find your nearest centre: www.explorelearning.co.uk