foster for croydon croydon · fostering a child or young person with a disability 17 short-break...

foster CROYDONfoster CROYDON

www.croydon.gov.uk/fosteringFreephone: 0800 389 0129


Foster for Croydon

Beingafostercarerisanemotionalrollercoaster,

itissatisfying,it’senjoyable,and

it’sworthwhile.Mostofallit

isgreatfunCroydonfoster

carerof12years

Foster Croydon I Freephone: 0800 389 0129 I www.croydon.gov.uk/fostering 3

foster CROYDONfoster CROYDONfoster CROYDONfoster CROYDON

Contents

Why foster for Croydon 4

What support is provided to Croydon Council foster carers 5

Becoming a foster carer for Croydon Council 6

What is involved in fostering? 7

How do you become a foster carer? 9

What might prevent you from fostering? 13

Types of fostering 14

Short-term and emergency fostering 14

Long-term fostering 14

Fostering teenagers 16

What happens when a foster child reaches 16? 16

Fostering a child or young person with a disability 17

Short-break carers – services for children with disabilities 18

Remand fostering 18

Parent and child fostering 19

Unaccompanied asylum seeking minors 19

Case studies 20

Is fostering for you? 27

How to contact us 27

Inside FC non capacity pocket here

FosteringhasenrichedourlivesandIwouldrecommendanyonewhoiswillingtogivetimeandcommitmenttoachildtofind

outmoreaboutfostering.Weregretnotbecomingfostercarersearlier

Croydon foster carer of 10 years

www.croydon.gov.uk/fosteringFreephone: 0800 389 0129




What support is provided to Croydon Council foster carers?

CroydonCouncilrecognisesthechallengesofbeingafostercarerandoffersanexcellentsupportpackagetoitscarers.

Croydonhasahighlyexperiencedteamofsocialworkersthatprovidesupporttofostercarers.Onceapproved,eachfostercarerhastheirownallocatedsocialworker(calledasupervisingsocialworker)whovisitsregularlyandisavailabletogivesupport,adviceandguidancetoassistintheirdevelopmentasafostercarer.

Wealsoprovideanoutofhourstelephonesupportservicethatenablesfostercarerstospeaktoamemberofthefosteringteam365daysayear.

Inaddition,eachnewfostercarerhastheopportunitytobelinkedtoanexperiencedfostercarerforadditionalsupportandhandsonadvicethroughourmentorscheme.

Croydonprovidesanextensivetrainingprogrammeinwhichcarersareexpectedtoparticipate,aspartofthefosteringregulations,aswellastofacilitatetheirongoinglearninganddevelopmentascarers.

Croydonprovidessupportgroupsforcarerscaringforparticulargroupsofchildren.

Inaddition,thereisanetworkoflocalsupportgroupsfacilitatedbytheCroydonFosterCarersAssociation,ofwhichyouautomaticallybecomeamember,aswellasenjoyingfreemembershipofthenationalFosteringNetwork.

Foster Croydon I Freephone: 0800 389 0129 I www.croydon.gov.uk/fostering4


Why foster for Croydon?

Croydon Council supports approximately 230 fostering households and 800 children in care. Croydon’s foster carers are skilled and dedicated in caring for vulnerable children and young people and our foster carers have given many years of valuable service. Many have been foster carers for Croydon for more than 20 years.

ThenumberofchildrenandyoungpeopleneedingtobelookedafterinCroydoncontinuestoriseandwethereforeneedtoincreasethenumberandrangeoffostercarerssothatwecanoffermorehomeslocallytochildrenandyoungpeople.ChildrenyoulookafterwillbechildrenwhoarealreadylivinginCroydon,thereforetheywillusuallyattendCroydonschoolsandhavelinkstootherlocalresources.

Thereareanumberofbenefitstobehadbyfosteringdirectlywiththecouncil.

CroydonCouncilhasthelargestnumberoflookedafterchildreninLondon.Thismeansthatourcarershavehigheroccupancylevelswithshortergapsbetweenplacementsthanmanyotherfosteragencies.SincethechildrenarefromCroydon,contactvenuesandschoolswillbeinandaroundtheCroydonvicinity.

Croydon Council will make a decision on the best placement for a child, and consider in-house foster carers, before considering placing with an independent agency. To be able to make the best possible match for a child, a variety of carers are needed from all cultures and backgrounds.

Aswellasadedicatedsocialworkerandoutofhourscontact,youcanalsoaccessavarietyoftrainingandmentoringsupportfromanexperiencedfostercarer.YouwillhavefreemembershipoftheCroydonFosterCarersAssociation,whereyoucanregularlymeetotherCroydonfostercarers.

IfyouliveinoraroundtheCroydonareaitmakessensetobeworkingwiththecouncil.Oursocialworkers,supportgroups,trainingandmeetingsareallwithinCroydon.

Therearearangeofdifferentfosteringallowancesyouwillreceivewhilstachildisinyourcare.Croydonpaymentratestofostercarersiscompetitivewhencomparedtootherboroughsandindependentagencies.Youwillalsoreceivebirthdayandholidayallowancesforthechildinplacement.



What is involved in fostering?

Fosteringinvolveslookingafterachildoryoungpersonasiftheyareamemberofyourfamily.Youwilldoallthethingsyouwouldwithyourownchildren,suchastakingthemtoschoolandsharingintheirschoollife,takingthemtothedoctorandthedentist,helpingandparticipatingintheirrecreationalandsocialactivities.

Fosteringalsomeansbeingpartofaprofessionalteam;itthereforeinvolvesquitealotofotheractivitiesthatparentsdonotnormallydoonaday-to-daybasis,suchas:

• Contact with birth families:Inmostcases,thefirstaimwhenachildoryoungpersonisfosteredistotrytoensuretheirsafereturntotheirfamily.Regularcontactbetweenthechild/youngpersonandtheirfamily,andanyoneelsewhomaybeimportanttothem,isthereforevitalinthisprocess.Contactusuallytakesplaceinafostercarer’shomeandcanbedemandingonacarer’stime.Foryoungerchildrenespecially,itmaymeanfiveorsixvisitsaweek.Contactcanbeadifficultexperienceforcarerstomanagebutitcanalsobeextremelyrewardinginenablingchildrenandyoungpeopletomaintainlinks,andsometimesbuildmorepositiverelationshipswiththeirfamilies.

• Meetings:Thesemaybefrequent,especiallywhenachildoryoungpersonisfirstplacedwithyou.Somemeetings,suchasreviewsandcaseconferences,havetoberegular,andadditionalmeetingsmaybearrangedtodiscusshowaplacementisgoingortolookatplansforachildreturninghome.Meetingsareoftenheldinafostercarer’shome,butmayalsobeheldinsocialworkoffices.

• Recording and reports:Carersarerequiredtokeeparecordaboutthechild/youngpersontheyarelookingafterandsometimesthisrecordofeventsmayberequestedasevidenceincourt.Recordsarealsoavaluablepartofassessingtheneedsofachild/youngpersonandhowtheyareprogressing.

• Training:Fosteringisnotsomethingyoulearn“overnight”.Everynewsituationandchildbringsnewchallengesandyouneverstoplearningasafostercarer.Trainingisanessentialelementofbeingafostercarer.Thereforeweprovideacomprehensivetrainingpackagelinkedtothegovernment’sTrainingandDevelopmentStandard(TDS)forfostercarers.

Becoming a foster carer for Croydon Council

Weareparticularlykeentohearfrompeoplewhocanlookafterchildrenfromallbackgroundsandparticularlythose:

• whohaveexperienceofworkingorcaringforyoungpeopleandunderstandtheirperspective;

• peoplewhoareabletoaccommodatesiblinggroupsofallages;

• individualsandfamiliestoprovidepermanenthomesforchildrenagedeightandolder;

• carersforchildrenandyoungpeoplewithlearningandphysicaldisabilities;

• thosewhocansupportteenagerswhoneedahomeuntiltheyareabletoliveindependently;

• peoplewhocancareforchildrenuptofiveyearsofage,areavailablefulltimeandcanenablechildrentohavecontactwiththeirparentsfiveorsixtimesaweek;

• peoplefromblackandethnicminorityandwhitecommunitieswhocanreflectthebackgroundofchildrenofdualheritage;and

• whereatleastonememberofthehouseholdhasflexibilityduringthedaytobeavailableforafosterchild.

Theyoungpeoplewearelookingtoplacemayhave:

• difficultiesintrustingadults.

• difficultieswiththeireducationand/ormaynotbeinschool;and

• difficultiesintheirbehaviour,suchasbedwetting,foodhoarding,etc.




Foster Croydon I Freephone: 0800 389 0129 I www.croydon.gov.uk/fostering Foster Croydon I Freephone: 0800 389 0129 I www.croydon.gov.uk/fostering8 9

How do you become a foster carer?

Stage 1: Information meetingInformationmeetingsareheldeverymonth.Wewouldencourageyoutoattendaninformationmeetingasthefirststageintheprocess.Thismeetingprovidestheopportunitytohearashortpresentation,andtoaskquestionsandtalkinformallywithcarersandworkersinthefosteringteam.

Ifforanyreasonyoucannotattendaninformationmeeting,coffeemorningsareheldmonthlyforaninformaldiscussion,oryoucancontactuson0800 389 0129.

Stage 2: Telephone discussion

Ouraimisthataworkerfromthefosteringteamwillcompleteaninitialtelephoneinterviewatyourfirstcontactwithus.Thistelephonediscussionwilllastabouthalfanhourandwillenableustogetmoreinformationaboutyourpersonalcircumstancessothatwecanstarttoassesswhetheryoumightbesuitableforfostering.Wewillalwaysprioritiseapplicantsonthebasisoftheneedsofthechildrenandyoungpeople.

Followingourtelephonediscussion,wewillletyouknowwhetherwewouldlikeyoutoproceedtothenextstagebyparticipatinginourpreparationgroupsforfostering.

Stage 3: Preparation groups

Thesegroupsareheldeverymonth,andtakeplaceoverthreeweekdaysorthreeSaturdays.Thismaysounddauntingbutmostapplicantsusuallyfindthegroupsveryenjoyableandfeelthattheyprovideagoodopportunitytolearnwhatfosteringisaboutandtolookinsomedetailaboutwhetheritisrightforthemandtheirfamilies.Itisimportantthatallapplicantsattendallofthesessions.

Ifyouarecurrentlyanapprovedforcarerforanotheragency,wemayofferyouaonedayfasttrackpreparationgroup.

Afterthepreparationgroups,ifwedecideitisappropriatetocontinuetothenextstage,wewillmeetyouagaintodiscussanyoutstandingpracticalissues,fromthepreparationtrainingandtocompletethestatutorychecksandapplicationform,unlessthishasalreadybeendone.

Youwillbeallocatedasocialworkerwhowillundertakeanassessment.Thisprocessinvolvescompletingadocumentcalled“FormF”,producedbytheBritishAssociationforAdoptionandFostering(BAAF).




Stage 4: Form F assessment

Thefirstvisitinvolvesmeetingwithyou,yourpartnerand,ifyouhavethem,yourchildrenandanyothermembersofyourhouseholdwhoarelikelytohavealotofinvolvementinfostering.Thismeetingusuallytakesatleasttwohours.

Wewouldalsoliketolookaroundyourhome.Weneedtoensureyouhaveasuitablebedroomwhichislargeenoughforthechild’sneeds.Forexampleabedroomforateenager,wouldneedtoaccommodateabed,wardrobeandprobablyadesk.Theremustalsobesufficientlivingspace.Fosterhomesneedtohaveareasonablestandardofcleanlinessandtidiness.Wewillusuallynotconsideralivingspacebeingconvertedintoabedroom.

Theassessmentprocessinvolvesthinkingaboutyourownfamilyhistoryandexperiencesofbeingparented,aswellasyourexperiencewithchildren.TheprocessalsoinvolvesanenhancedDisclosureandBarringService(DBS)checkandcheckswithagenciessuchashealth,educationandthepolice.Wealsoseekreferencesfromyouremployer,child’sschool,mortgagelenderorlandlord,andaskyoutodiscloseifyouhaveanycountycourtjudgements.Aspartoftheassessmentprocedure,ahealthandsafetyinspectionismadetoensureyourhomeissafeandsuitable.

Duringtheassessment,wewillaskyoutohaveamedicalwithyourowndoctorwhowillprovideareportforourmedicaladviser,whowill,inturn,commentonyourdoctor’sfindings.

Weaskyoutoprovideuswiththreerefereeswhohaveknownyouandyourfamilywelloveraperiodoftime.Ifyouhavechildren,theassessmentprocesswillinvolvetalkingtothemtoensuretheirviewsaretakenintoaccountandtheyhaveanunderstandingofwhatbecomingafosterfamilymeans.

Thewholeassessmentprocesstakesonaveragebetweensixtoeightvisitstoyou,overtwotothreemonthsunlessthereareissuesthatrequirefurtherexploration.TheBAAFFormFreportisfullydiscussedwithyouandispresentedtoCroydon’sfosteringpanelinyourpresence.

Stage 5: The fostering panel

Thefosteringpanelisagroupofindependentprofessionalswhomakerecommendationsaboutsomeone’sapprovalasafostercarer.

Ifthecompositionofyourfamilychanges,forexampleyouhaveanewpartner,thatpersonwouldneedtobeassessed.YourBAAFFormFcouldnotgotopaneluntilthiswascompleted.Ifyouarealreadyanapprovedfostercarer,thecouncilmaynotbeabletoplacefosterchildrenwithyouuntilthisnewassessmentiscompleted.

Stage 6: Approval

Therecommendationsfromfosteringpanelgotothedecisionmakerforfinalapproval.Onceapproved,youwillbeallocatedasupervisingsocialworkerandamentor.Youwillthenbereadytofoster.





What may prevent you from fostering?

DBS checks

Ifyou,orafamilymemberormemberofyoursupportnetworkhasacriminalrecord(eithercurrentor“spent”)foranoffencewhichcallsintoquestionyoursuitabilitytofoster,orcouldplaceachildatrisk.Theseoffencesareusuallyagainstchildrenorinvolvingviolence.Ifwefindoutfromourownenquiriesthatanoffencehasnotbeendisclosed,wewillterminatetheapplicationwhereotherwisewemaynothave.Thisisbecauseahighdegreeoftrustisputinfostercarers.Withholdinginformationaboutaconvictionisevidencethattheassessmentisnotbeingundertakenwithopennessandhonesty.Whenwestartanassessmentwewillaskyoutosignaformconfirmingthatallcriminaloffenceshavebeendisclosed.Thisincludesallwarnings,cautionsandconvictions,evenasajuvenile,astheywillappearintheenhancedDBSform.

Health

Weaskaboutyourhealthattheinitialtelephonecontact(stage2),alsoduringtheassessmentyouwouldberequiredtohaveafullmedicalwithyourGP,andtheywouldsendthereportontous.Itisanexpectationthatfrominitialcontact,ifyouhaveanyunderlyingorsignificanthealthissues,youdisclosethematthestart.WithintheFormFassessment(stage4),ifthemedicalreportindicatesanysignificantissueswithyourpsychiatrichistory,orcurrentstateofhealth,orgivesreasonablecauseforconcernaboutyourfuturehealthprospects,orthechild’shealthorsafety,

theassessmentmayendonthesegrounds.TheinformationissuppliedbyyourGPanddecisionsarereachedwiththeadviceofthefosteringservice’smedicaladviser.

Parenting

Whereyourchildorchildrenhavebeenthesubjectofcareproceedingsorchildprotectionproceedingsgivingreasonablecauseforconcern,ortherehavebeenconcernsaboutyourcareofchildrenbyotheragenciesoremployers.

Recent life experiences

Wewouldnotconsiderpeopleforfosteringiftheyhadexperiencedasignificantlifechangerecently,suchasabereavement,illness,divorceorseparation,ifacoupleareplanningforanewbabyintheimmediatefutureorareabouttohaveababy.Inthesecircumstanceswewillaskyoutodelaymakinganapplication.

Domestic animals

Ifyourhouseholdcontainsdomesticanimalsthatmayendangerthehealthorsafetyofthechildoryoungperson,orareonthedangerousdogslist.





Types of fostering

Short-term and emergency fostering

Short-termplacementscanbeforanovernightstayorcouldlastlongerthantwoyears.Short-termplacementsareusuallymadebecausethechild’sneedsarenotbeingmetintheirownfamilyandthelocalauthority,andsometimesthecourts,areworkingwiththefamilytoensurethechild’sbestinterestsaremet.Thechildmayreturnhomeormayneedanalternativepermanentfamily.

Emergencyplacementsareunplanned,occuratveryshortnotice,andarerequiredwhenitisdeemedthatitisinthechild’sbestinteresttoberemovedimmediatelyfromtheirfamilyoforiginorothercarersandplacedinanemergencyfosterhomeplacement.

Yourtaskasafostercarerinthesecircumstancesistocareforthechildoryoungpersononaday-to-daybasisandpreparethemformovingoninthefuture.Short-termfosteringcanofteninvolvealotofmeetingsandactivity,especiallywhenachildoryoungpersonisfirstplacedwithyou.Often,whenchildrenoryoungpeoplearefirstaccommodated,theremaynotbealotknownabouttheirfamilycircumstancesandsoyourroleasafostercareristoassisttheprofessionalteamingaininganunderstandingofthatchild/youngpersonandtheirbehaviour.

Insomecircumstances,short-termcarersapplytobecomepermanentcarersforparticularchildrenwhomaybeplacedwiththemforalongtime.

Long-term fostering

Long-termfosteringmeansthatwhenachildisfosteredbyyou,theexpectationisthattheywillremainwithyouandyourfamilyuntiltheyarereadytoliveindependently.Thehopewouldbethatyouwouldcontinuetoremainintouchwiththemandsupportthemintoadulthood.

Usually,achildwhoneedsapermanentfosterhomeisovertheageofeight.Theyhaveoftenhadaverydisruptedandtraumaticlife.Theymayhaveexperiencedphysical,sexualoremotionalabuseandmayhavebehaviouraldifficulties.Thesechildrenmaynotfinditeasytotrustothersandbuildpositiverelationshipsbecauseoftheirearlierexperiences.

Ifachildoryoungpersonispermanentlyfostered,theycontinuetobethelegalresponsibilityofCroydonCouncil.Forsomechildren,especiallythosewhoareolderandwhoidentifystronglywiththeirownbirthfamilies,permanentfosteringoffersthemtheopportunitytocontinuetohavestronglinkswiththeirbirthfamily.

Childrenneedingapermanentfosterhomewillneedalotofpatience,understandingandnurturing.

Theycanbeemotionallydemandingandchallenging,andinsomewaysmayneedtobelookedafterasthoughtheywereayoungerchildbecausetheirdevelopmenthasbeenaffectedbythetraumaticexperiencesintheirlives.Inourexperience,childrenwithsuchneedsthrivebestinfamilieswheretheyarenotincompetitionwithchildrenofasimilarage,butmay

benefitagreatdealfromolderteenagersasappropriaterolemodels.Carersneedtohavetheemotionaltimeandspacetoconsiderlookingaftersuchchildren.

AsapermanentfostercarerforCroydon,youwouldreceivealltheusualsupport,aswellasaccesstotherapeutichelptoassistyouinworkingwithandunderstandingthechildren.




Fostering teenagers

Sometimes,youngpeoplebecomelookedafterbecauseofabreakdownintheirownfamilyrelationships,orforotherreasons,andneedanalternativefamilywhocanprovidethemwithstabilityduringtheirteenageyearsandpreparethemforlivingindependently.

Caringforteenagersisneverboring.Youwillneedagoodsenseofhumourandbeabletocopewithchallengingbehaviourwhichcouldincludenon-attendanceatschool,experimentingwithdrugsandriskysexualbehaviour.

Animportantpartofthetaskoffosteringteenagersispreparingthemforindependence,andthisincludesmanagingtheirownmoney.Forthisreason,youngpeopleovertheageof16begintoreceivetheirownallowance(currentlyupwardof£40perweek)topayfortheirtravel,lunchesandclothes.Thecarer’sallowanceisreducedbythissameamount.

What happens when a foster child reaches the age of 16?

Anessentialroleforfostercarerslookingafterteenagersistohelpyoungpeopleintheircareprepareforindependentliving.

Theyoungpersons’socialworkerwillmakeapathwayplan.Thismapsoutexactlywhatneedstohappeninallareasoftheyoungperson’slifeandhowthiswillbeachievedinorderfortheyoungpersontoreachtheirfullpotential.Pathwayplans

continueuntilage21,or24iftheyoungpersonisinfurthereducation.

Eachplanwillbedifferentaccordingtotheyoungperson’sneedsandsituation.Theaimisforeachyoungpersontomovetotheirnextstage(e.g.,semi-independence,fullindependence,hallsofresidence)inaplannedway.

Mostyoungpeoplemovetotheirnextplacementsometimeduringtheir17thyear.Othersremainwiththeircarerforaspecifiedperiodpost-18.

Whenayoungpersonbecomes18,he/sheceasestobelookedafterunderthefosteringregulations(thelawrelatedtofostering).

Fostering a child or young person with a disability

Croydonhasanumberofchildrenwithdisabilitieswhoneedfosterfamilies.Thisincludeschildrenwithphysicaldisabilities,suchasmusculardystrophy.Wealsoneedcarersforchildrenwithmoderatetoseverelearningdifficultiessuchasautism.Someofthechildrenwithlearningdifficultiesalsohaveassociatedphysicaldisabilitiesandspecialhealthneeds,suchasthosecausedbycerebralpalsy.

Inadditiontothesupportavailabletoallfostercarers,carersmayhaveaccesstothefollowingservicesdependingontheneedsoftheparticularchildtheyarecaringfor.

Respite care: thismayinvolvethechildoryoungpersonbeingcaredforbyacarerfromtheshort-breaksteam,orforregularovernightorweekendstays.

School holiday schemes and Saturday schemes:activity-basedschemesfor

childrenandyoungpeoplewithdisabilities.

Occupational therapy:thisserviceassesseschildrenandfamilies,andprovidesaidsandequipment.Itcanorganiseappropriateservicestoassistwiththechild’scareanddevelopment.

Learning and development:carershaveaccesstomorespecialisttraining;eg,makaton,signing,andmovingandhandling.

Special education:childrenandyoungpeoplewithdisabilitiesusuallyhaveastatementofeducationalneed.Thisidentifiestheextrahelpachildneedstoaccesstheschoolcurriculum,eitherwithassistanceinamainstreamschoolorinaspecialeducationalneedsschool.

Opportunity play groups/youth services:fostercarersworkcloselywithnurseries,educationandyouthservicesthatprovidespecialisthelpandsupporttochildrenwithdisabilities.

foster CROYDONfoster CROYDON foster CROYDONfoster CROYDON



Short break carers – services for children with disabilities

Ifyouareinterestedinbecominginvolvedinworkingwithchildrenandyoungpeoplewithdisabilities,butdonothavesufficienttimetodothisonafulltimefosteringbasis,youmaywishtoconsiderbecomingashortbreakscarer.

Thisshortbreaksserviceisforchildrenandyoungpeoplewhoarenotincare,butistohelpandassistfamilieswhohaveachildoryoungpersonwithadisabilitybygivingthemabreakonaregularbasis.Shortbreakcarersarelinkedachild/youngpersonandtheirfamily,andprovidecareonaregularbasis,perhapsforadayaweek,aweekend,amonthorduringschoolholidays.

Remand fostering

Anumberofremandfostercarersareneededwhocantakeonresponsibilityforyoungpeoplewhoareremandedbythecourtsintolocalauthoritycare.Young

peopleareremandedforspecificperiodsoftime–asdirectedbycourt,soplacementsarealwaysshortterminthisrespect.TheremandfostercarerworkscloselywiththeworkersintheYouthOffendingTeaminsupportingandhelpingayoungpersontomakechangesintheirlifeatthiscrucialtime.

Carersmusthavefull-timeavailabilityandbeabletoofferplacementsatshortnotice.Theywillneedtoaccompanyyoungpeopletocourtandpolicestationsonaregularbasis,andothermeetingsandappointmentsasrequired.

Additionalsupportprovided:

• Specificseparateallowancescheme

• Additionalequipmentasappropriate,suchasmobilephones.

• Supportfromworkersintheyouthoffendingteam,whoworkdirectlywiththeyoungpersonandtowhomtheyareaccountable.

Parent and child fostering

Fostercarersareneededtosupportyoungparentsundertheageof18andtheirchildwithinthefostercarershome.Thecarerswillprovideguidanceandsupporttheyoungpersononhowtotakecareoftheirchild.Theparenthasanopportunitytolearnanddeveloptheirparentingskills.

Thecarerwillalsoneedtowritedetailedreportsontheskillsandabilitiesoftheparentandtheircapabilitiesofbeingabletocarefortheirchild.Fostercarersrecordingoftheirobservationscanbeusedincourt.

Aplanwillbeputinplaceatthestartoftheplacementtoincludethepurposeoftheplacementandthelevelofsupervisionrequired.

Unaccompanied asylum seeking minors

AstheHomeOfficeissituatedinCroydon,thereareanumberofunaccompaniedasylumseekingminorsfromavarietyofbackgrounds,needingfostercare.Carerswillneedtosettlethemintotheirnewsurroundings,findaschoolplacementandaccesslocalservices.Theyoungpersonmayalsoneedhelptointegrateintothecommunityandbuildnewrelationships.




Foster Croydon I Freephone: 0800 389 0129 I www.croydon.gov.uk/fostering20 21

Ian and Annette – Croydon carers for 17 years

IanhasnowfosteredforCroydonwithhiswifeAnnettefor17years.Theyarebothfulltimefostercarers.Inthistimetheyhavefosteredover60childrenandyoungpeople.

Theyareapprovedforagerange0-18,andundertakealltypesoffostering-remand,shortterm,long-term,siblings,unaccompaniedminors,sometimeshaving3or4childreninoneweek.

Theyprovideanoutofhoursservice,sowillbecalledatanytimedayornight.Theytakeachildwhomayhavelefttheirfamilyforthefirsttime.Ianfindsthisoneofthemostrewardingaspectsoffosteringasyoucanreallymakeachildfeelsecureatthatmoment.

Ianenjoyscaringforunaccompaniedminors,learningaboutothercultures.TheyhavewelcomedintotheirhomechildrenfromAlbania,CongoandVietnam.Theytakethetimetolearntocommunicateinanotherlanguageandtakepleasureintryingvariousfood.

IanandAnnettearestillintouchwithayoungmantheyfosteredasateenager,whoisnow28withchildrenofhisown.Thisisanexampleofthecommitmenttheyshowtotheyoungpeopletheycarefor.

Theybothrelatewelltoteenagers,findingthisthemorerewardingagegroup,wherechangescanbeseen.

Iandescribeda‘tinglemoment’–atimewhentheygetaphonecallfromaschooltosayhowwellachildisgettingon,orayoungpersonsayinghowtheirlifewouldhavefollowedadifferentpathiftheyhadnotbeenintheircare.

Ianstates‘fosteringisthebestjobintheworld,whereyougainexperiencesmoneycan’tbuy.’

Martin – carer for Croydon and Chair of Croydon Foster Carers Association

‘Wedecidedtofosterover12yearsago.Wefeltitwastherighttime,havingthoughtaboutitforawhile.Wehadthespaceandwantedtodosomethingdifferentwithourlives.Wehadnochildrenofourown.

Webothworkedfulltimesowewereapprovedforteenagersagefrom13to18forlong-termfostering.Thefirstwasage13whenhearrived.Threeyearslaterwetookanotherteenageratage16whohadadditionallearningneeds,andhestayedwithusuntiltheageof18.Then6yearsagoIwasmaderedundant,andthisenabledmetobeathomealldaysoalsoabletotakeyoungerchildrenofprimaryschoolagerightthroughtoage18.

Fosteringcreatesadifferentdynamic,itchangesyourlifecompletely.Forusitgaveusafamily.Itgavelifeavalueandpurpose,inbeingabletosupportayoungpersonwhoneedsstabilityintheirlivesandconsistentsupporttoadulthoodat18.We’vehadourcurrenttwoplacementsforover5years,andtheywillhavebeenwithusfor8and10yearsbythetimetheyleavefosteringat18.Howevertheywillstayonwithus,whichiswhattheywant.

Webothworkedfulltimewhenwestartedfosteringandneededtomakesurewehadtheflexibilitytoattendmanyfosteringrelatedmeetingsfortheyoungpersonandourselves,aswellasmeetingtherequirementsofbirthfamilycontact,andsupporttheyoungpersonduringschoolholidays,whichiswhywechosetolookafterteenagerslong-term.

Alldailyactivitiesrevolvearoundfostering,school,outofschool,weekendactivities,holidays,socialactivities…allgearedtowardsfosterchildren.

Ourfirstplacementcametousatage13havingbeenincarefor5yearsuptothattime.Heachieved5GCSE’satschoolandattendedaCroydonCollegecateringcourse.HethensecuredanapprenticeshipatatoprestaurantinLondon’sWestEnd.Attheendoftheapprenticeshipheworkedin,andcontinuestoworkinaCroydonrestaurantasachef.

Whenyoungpeoplehavebeenwithyouforasignificantperiodoftheirlivesthenleavecareat18,theyoftenhavenosafetynet.Wecontinuetohaveweeklycontactwiththosewhohaveleftourcareandarenowintheir20’s.

Fosteringisfun,anemotionalrollercoasterandaddictive.Itisemotionallyrewardingtoseetheyoungpersongrowinconfidence,developintoadulthoodandmaketheirwayintheworld,andwehavehadapartinmakingthathappen.

Thinkcarefullyaboutwhatyoucanoffer,keythingsareaspareroomandsomesparetimeinyourlivestosharewiththeyoungperson.Thechildrenyoucouldfostermaynothavehadstabilityorexperiencedasettledfamilylife,whichiswhatafostercarerneedstogivethem.Theymayhaveissuesnotoftheirmaking,andneedafamilytosupportthem.Ifyou’renotsureiffosteringisforyou,rathernotdoanythingaboutit,talktoCroydonfosteringandgetmoreinformation.’

Foster Croydon I Freephone: 0800 389 0129 I www.croydon.gov.uk/fostering


Case studies



Debbie – Croydon foster carer

‘FosteringwasmuchbetterandeasierthanIthoughtitwouldbe.Thelocalauthoritygavemealotofvariedtraining.Iwantedtospecialiseinteenagersandtheyhavealotofcoursesrelatedtomanagingteenagebehaviour,adolescencehormonesandsexualhealth.Therewasalotofhelpbehindthesceneswhichenabledmetoincreasemyknowledge,whichIcouldthenpassontothechildren.Ifounditeasierastimewenton.Ithinkthefirstplacementisalwaysalittledauntingasyoudon’tknowwhattoexpectandit’sallnew.

Ifoundfosteringveryveryrewarding.Whenyouseeayoungpersonandtheirlifehasturnedaroundandyou’vemadeadifferencetotheirlife;thatgivessomuchsatisfaction.Ihaveahugeextendedfamilynow.Therewardsdefinitelyoutweighthechallenges.Ithoroughlyenjoyit.’

Louise – care leaver age 23 was fostered from age 9½ until 18

‘WhenIfirstcamehereitwasabitscaryanddauntingasobviouslyyoucomefromyourrealfamilyintoanewfamily.Youdon’tknowwhattoexpect.AtfirstI’dhideinmyroomasIdidn’tknowpeoplespersonalities.Youhavetogetusedtothem.OnceIwascomfortableIlovedithere.

IfIwasn’tfosteredIthinkIwouldhaveturnedoutverydifferently.Ihadguidancewithmyfosteredfamily.Ifeltloveandemotion.IstilltalktoDebbieifIhaveproblemsandtrustherwithmysonslife.

Therearealotofchildrenouttherewhoneedguidanceandtotellthemthatthereissomeonewhocansupportthemandtheyarenotleftalone.Theyneedsomeone.’

Luke - fostered from age 16 until 18

‘Iwasfosteredwithanotherfostercarer,andcameforrespiteoneweekendeverymonth.ThenwenttolivewithDebbie,itwasthebestdecisionever.Myupbringingwasn’tbrilliant.WhenIcamehereIwasself-consciousandnervous,didn’tliketalkingorcommunicatingorgettinginvolvedinthefamilyunit.DebbieandDaveboughtmeoutasaperson,withconfidenceandskillsIwilluseoftherestofmylife.TheygavemesomethingInevertrulyhad…theloveandsupportIneededandthefreedomtotalkandexpressratherthanjudgemeforthethingsthathappenedinthepast.Theyarelifesavers.IcamehereonrespiteandIfeltthelove–Icouldn’twaitforrespite.

IkeepintouchwithDebbieallthetime.IhaveareallyclosebondwithDave,heismykindofrolemodelasamale,wewenttofootballtogetherandtalkedaboutboysstuff.Hegavemeasenseofmalebonding,likeafriend.Hedidhaverulesbutcalmratherthananaggressiveauthority.IloveDebbieandDavietopiecesandiftheyaskedmetodoanythingandIcoulddoit,Iwould.ImaynotliveherebutthisismyhomeandeverytimeIcomehereIalwaysleavewithasmileonmyfaceandcan’twaittocomeback.’

Croydon care leaver Adassa

‘Youknow;it’snotthatbad,beingincare.Thereisthislingeringstigmathatitmustbeabrokenhomeorfamily,oftenit’snotandparentsjustneedahelpinghand.Orworse,thatthechildisa‘problem’child.Oftentheyjustneedadegreeofunderstanding.Theyarenot‘problem’children;theyarecasualtiesofamuchlargerproblem.

Theplacewhereyoucalledhomeallyourlifehasjustbeentornapartandtheytakeyouintothisstrangedauntingplacewhereyoudon’tknowanyone.Mostlythecarersareoblivioustothewholesituationsotheyareleftmostlyinthedarkwithalloftheirconfusionsandfrustrationsjustbuildingup.Whattheydon’trealiseisthatlifeisjustaboutcontrollingyourlaughsandcries.Whereyouarecomingfromdoesn’thavetomakeyouwhoyouareandoftentraumaticsituationscanbethepassionthatmakesyoustriveforwardtoachievegreatthings.

Whatthesechildrenneedisunderstanding,stability,andcare.Childreninthissituationarealreadyfeelingcondemnedandlonely,whattheyneedisforsomeonetolistentothem,theyneedsomeonewithpatiencetoseethemthroughtheirdifficulties.Whattheydon’tneedistobelabelledabadchildbecausethentheywillnotseethepointtotryingtheirbest.Theyneedaconstantthattheycangrowtotrust,peopleforgetthatrespectisgainednotassumed.’

Young person in care

‘IadmitIwasn’tgoodatfirst,itwasconfusingandIthoughtIwouldbegoingbacktomybirthmotherwheneverythinghadsettleddown,soIonlysawitasaquickstop.

Iwouldtellliesaboutmyfostermum,asinmymindgettingoutoftherequickerwouldgetmebacktomymum,butsheperseveredwithme.Myfostermumisoneofthemostamazingpeopleintheworld.’




Case studies of children needing a foster care placement

Tyler

Tylerissixmonthsold.Hismotherhasbeeninpoormentalhealthforanumberofyears,hertwoolderchildren,Tyler’shalfbrothers,wereadoptedasshewasunabletoadequatelycareforthem.Tyler’sfatherstronglyopposedTylerbeingfosteredwhenhewasfirstbornandanassessmentundertakenatthetimerecommendedthatTyler’sfamilybegiventheopportunitytoprovetheycouldcareforhim.However,therehasbeengrowingconcernaboutTyler’swellbeing.Tylerisnotgainingweight,hehasseverenappyrashandthehealthvisitorisconcernedheisaverypassive,unresponsivebaby.

CroydonCouncilhasobtainedaninterimcareorderandTylerhasbeenplacedinfostercare.ThecourthasagreedthatTylerwillhavecontactwithhisbirthparentsfortwohoursaday,fivetimesaweekinhisfosterhome.

Megan

Meganisnine,andhasrecentlymovedtoCroydonfromYorkshirewithherfathertostaywithhismother.Megan’snewschoolhasbecomeincreasinglyworriedabouther.Meganoftenhasmarksonherbodywhichsheisunabletoexplain.AtschoolMegandevelopedahightemperaturewhichwassubsequentlyfoundtobeduetoasevereurineinfection.TheGPwhoexaminedMeganhadconcernsthattheinfectionmaybeduetosexualabuse.ReluctantlyMegan’sfatherhasagreedforhertobelookedafterbythelocalauthoritywhileanassessmentismade.Megan’sfathervisitsherafterschoolinherfosterhomethreetimesaweek.Megan’ssocialworkerhasaskedthefostercarerstoensuretheysupervisethesevisitsatalltimes.

Kyle

Kyleis10.Hewasadoptedwhenhewasthreebut,sadly,hisadoptivefamilyneverreallybondedwithhim.Hisadoptionbrokedownwhenhewaseight.Sincethen,Kylehaslivedwithashorttermfostercarer.Kyleisdesperateforanewfamilytogrowupin.Kyle’sfamilyneedstobeabletocopewithachildwhocanbekindandaffectionate,aswellasrudeanddefiant.

ThecurrentcarershavefoundthatKylethrivesinanenvironmentwherethereareconsistentboundariesandlotsofopportunitiestosucceedandberewarded.

Harvey

HarveyisawhiteBritishyoungman,theoldestoffourbrothers.Hehasahistoryofphysicalandsexualabuseandpreviousperiodsofbeinglookedafter.WhenHarveywas13,allfourbrotherswereplacedoncareorders.Theyoungestwasadopted,andhisotherbrotherswereplacedwithfostercarers.WhenHarveywas14,hewenttolivewithfostercarersspecialisinginlookingafterteenagers.Harveyhadashortconcentrationspan,waslackinginconfidenceandhadapoorschoolattendancerecord.Hisfostercarerssettledhimintoanewschoolandhelpedhimdeveloppracticalskillssothathebecamemoreconfidentandhisself-esteemincreased.Initially,hewouldtesthisfostercarersbycominginlateandchallenginghouserules.Eventuallyhewasabletobegintodevelopsometrustinhisrelationshipwithhisfostercarersandestablishedagoodrelationshipwiththemalefostercarer,inparticular.

Aisha

Aishaisa13-year-oldAfrican-Caribbeanteenager.Sheisahappy,goodnaturedgirl,whoismakingexcellentprogressatschool.Aishawasborn12weeksprematurely;doctorsbelievethisiswhatcausedhercerebralpalsy.Aishausesaspecialkindofwheelchairwhichkeepsherinacomfortablepositionandlessensthediscomfortofthespasmsshehas.Becauseofhercerebralpalsy,Aishaneedsalotofphysicalhelpwithherpersonalcare.Aishahaslivedformanyyearswithhergrandmother,whoisnowinher70s.ItiswithgreatsadnessandanxietythatAisha’sgrandmotherhasrecognisedthat,duetoherseverearthritis,shecannolongercontinuetocareforAisha.



Myfostermumisoneofthemostamazingpeopleintheworld

IcamehereonrespiteandIfeltthelove–Icouldn’twaitforrespite.



Charlie

Charlieissix,andcurrentlylivingatarespitecareunitforchildrenwithspecialneeds.Charlielovesridingonbuses,trainsandtrams.Hehasalargecollectionofsmallcarswhichhelikestolineupinlongtrafficjams.

Charliehasanautisticspectrumdisorder.Hecaneasilybecomeagitated,particularlyifhisroutineisaltered.Charlieisthefourthchildinafamilyofsix.Charlie’smumanddadhavestruggledtomeethisspecialneedsandkeephimsafewhilemeetingthemanydemandsoftheiryoungfamily.

Reuben

Reubenisafive-year-oldAfrican-Caribbeanboy.Helivesathomewithhismotherandtwosisters.Hehasaseverephysicalandlearningdisability,requiringassistancewithallhiscareneeds,includingfeeding,washing,toiletingandplay.Reubenenjoysoutingstotheparkandbeingwithotherchildren.

Duetohisextracareneedsandthetimerequiredtomanagethese,hismotherislookingforsupport.AshortbreakwithanotherfamilywillenablehertospendmoretimewithherotherchildrenandsharethecareofReuben.

Terry

Terryis15,withmanylikablequalities.Hehasbeenoffendingsincehewaseight.ManyofTerry’sextendedfamilyhavebeeninvolvedincriminalactivity.Terryhasanumberofoutstandingoffences,includingoneforaggravatedburglary.Asthereisariskofhimabscondingbeforehistrial,Terryhastoreporttothepolicestationeveryday.Ifthefosterplacementdisrupts,TerrywillberemandedtoFelthamYoungOffendersUnit.

Is fostering for you?

Ifyouthinkyouhavethepersonalqualitiesofpatienceandempathy,havetimeandenergytogive,andarewillingtoshareyourhomeandfamilywithachildoryoungpersonwhoneedsacaringenvironmentandnewopportunities,wewillbeveryhappytohearfromyou.Pleaseconsiderwhattypeoffosteringwouldbestsuityourparticularcircumstances.Itmay

beshort-termfostering,permanentfosteringorlong-termfosteringtowardsindependence,fosteringachildandyoungpeoplewithadisability,remandfostering,oracombinationofthese.Welookforwardtohearingfromyou.

How to contact us

Address: Fosteringrecruitment&assessmentteamFostering&adoptionserviceChildren,families&learnersCroydonCouncil7thfloorJeanetteWallaceHouse1EdridgeRoadCroydonCR01FE

Website: www.croydon.gov.uk/fostering

Email: [email protected]

Freephone: 0800 389 0129

Tel no: 020 8726 6000 ext 64025



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/ilovecroydon @yourcroydon

foster CROYDONfoster CROYDONwww.croydon.gov.uk/fostering

Freephone: 0800 389 0129

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