Fostering
Information for Foster Carers
We’re always trying to find ways to support you in your work and one of them is to make information as accessible as possible.
If you’ve got suggestions for additional information you’d like to see on these pages send them to us.
Allegations
- FISS – independent support for Devon County Council foster carers facing allegations, complaints, and serious concerns. Talk to your social worker first.
- Protecting Children, Supporting Foster Carers. Dealing with an Allegation
(380KB - pdf help) – download the DCSF booklet. - Managing Allegations against Foster Carers - the DCC policy
Computers and Internet safety
- Learn how to use a computer, email and the internet - with the BBC.
- Learn basic word processing skills - with Microsoft Word.
- 'Computers for Foster Carers (352KB - pdf help)' Information Sheet.
- Web Guide - links to Internet search engines, email services, a directory of recommended websites, and free access to online reference sources.
- Social Networking and Facebook advice for Foster Carers (1.71MB - pdf help) - Fostering Network.
- 'Safeguarding children in cyberworld' (339KB - pdf help) - keeping children and young people safe online
- PC and Internet advice for carers (471KB - pdf help) - a guide to the safe use of computers and the internet.
- The Internet City - be safer on the internet. A 5-minute film for, and by, young people in care in Devon.
- Young people and Social Networking Sites (2.99MB - pdf help) - a guide for parents, carers and teachers. Childnet International.
- Young people, music and the internet (403KB - pdf help) - a guide for parents, carers and teachers. Childnet International.
- Information and online resources (520KB - pdf help) - Childnet International.
Education and employment
- Admitting Children in Care to School (220KB - pdf help) - leaflet
- Admissions - apply for a a school place online
- SEN Admissions - if the child or young person has a Statement of Special Educational Needs.
- Educational Psychology Service - applying psychological knowledge and skills to promoting children's development, achievement and welfare
- Education Welfare Service – for advice on in-school and out-of-school-hours learning activities for children in care.
- Employment of Children – guidance on the rules, and your responsibilities as a carer and a parent. New carers - download a document. (74KB - pdf help)
- English as an Additional Language - help for pupils for whom English is not the first language.
- Exclusion - answers to the important questions.
- Financial Support for School Pupils - comprehensive coverage.
- Financial Support for Students over 16 - in sixth forms, colleges and universities.
- Libraries - find your nearest.
- Children’s library website
- Music Service - helping young musicians to reach their full potential.
- Ofsted - the inspectorate for children and learners in England.
- Parents’ Evenings (249KB - pdf help) - make the most of them with this leaflet.
- Personal Education Allowance (PEA) - guidance, application form and evaluation form, see under Children in Care.
- Special Educational Needs - a comprehensive guide to services.
- Term Dates - to end of summer term 2012.
- Transport - from home to school or college.
- What do National Curriculum levels mean? (46KB - pdf help)
Family Finding
- Family Finding – searching for permanent families for children in care who can never go home. If you’d like to develop a long-term fostering relationship, talk to your supervising social worker.
Finance
- Rates and Allowances – for this year.
- Claim Forms for travel and expenses - call or email your local team clerk.
- Inland Revenue – tax information specially for foster carers.
- Low Incomes Tax Reform Group – guidance on income tax and national insurance.
- Financial Support for Students 16+ – comprehensive coverage.
- Financial Support for School Pupils - comprehensive coverage.
Foster Panel
- The role of the Panels - in both approval and review
- Panel dates for 2012 (15KB - pdf help)
Health
- Nurses for Children in Care – they’re dedicated to children and young people in care. If you’ve got a health issue you’d like to discuss, get in touch.
- Child Development Chart 0 to 11 (981KB - pdf help) - physical, emotional, cognitive and psychosocial development.
- Sexual Health and Relationships Best Practice Guidance (296KB - pdf help) for children and young people in Care in Devon
- NHS Direct Online - all the health information you need, in one website.
- Vaccinations - for children, teenagers and adults.
Kinship
- Policy and Guidance (74KB - pdf help) - Kinship (Family & Friends) Foster Care
- Family Rights Group - with free confidential advice line.
Links for carers
- Action for Children - supports and speaks out for the UK's most vulnerable, disadvantaged and neglected children and young people.
- British Association for Adoption and Fostering (BAAF) - the leading UK charity working for children separated from their birth families.
- Children England - charities working for children and families
- Fostering Network - the UK's leading charity for everyone with a personal or professional involvement in fostering.
- National Children’s Bureau – essential information on policy, research and best practice.
- Passports for children in care - guidelines and contact details.
- Scouts and Guides - find out more.
- Social Care Institute for Excellence – practice guide to fostering, designed for foster care practitioners and anyone with an interest in good practice in fostering.
- Who Cares?Trust - a national charity working to improve public care for around 60,000 children and young people who are separated from their families and living in residential or foster care.
- Youth Clubs - find your nearest.
Links for children and young people
- Aim Higher - all the information you need to get started on the road into higher education.
- Carelaw - an information site for children and young people in care in England and Wales. It covers many topics from your rights in care to what happens when you leave care.
- Children First for Health - advice and information for children on a range of health issues.
- Connexions Direct - information and advice for 13 - 19 year olds.
- Devon Libraries ‘The Zone’ – hosted by M@x the cyberdog with interviews, competitions, ideas, book-lists and puzzles.
- Mentoring (352KB - pdf help) - a trusted adult who can help you do things you want to do.
- Money to Learn - help with your education costs
- Scouts and Guides - find out how to join.
- Talk to Frank - free confidential drugs information and advice 24 hours a day.
- Who Cares town - information and tips specially for 12 to 18 year-olds living in care.
- Youth Clubs - find your nearest.
Policies and procedures
- Devon County Council policies and procedures
- Devon Children and Families Procedures Manual
- Devon Safeguarding Children Board
- South West Child Protection Procedures
Support
- Carers Support Groups – regular get-togethers at venues across the county. Guest speakers, special presentations, and plenty of time to network. Call your Link Worker for the next one.
- Peer Guides – if you need help, advice, or just someone to listen, talk to an experienced carer. Call your Link Worker or Fostering Team for more information.
- Fosterline – impartial, confidential advice on fostering issues.
- ‘Children Who Foster’ Groups – activity groups for the families of foster carers where they can meet, swap stories, and have a good time. Call the Support Workers in Exeter or Barnstaple for more information.
- Fostering Strategy Group – if you’ve got a good idea, or a cause for concern, that you’d like to bring up with management, contact your local rep. Call your Link Worker for her or his name.
Training
- Training Programme – this year's core and specialist courses, plus a downloadable booking form.
- CWDC Workbook resources - almost every reference you'll need to complete your workbook.
- ‘Fostering a Better Education’ (1.30MB - pdf help) – the Information Sheet to accompany the training film.
- 'Fostering a Better Education' - the Worksheet (74KB - pdf help) for CWDC Standard 5.5.
- 'Fighting Fire with Water - dealing with Bullying and Children in Care' (232KB - pdf help) - the Information Sheet to accompany the training film.
- 'Fighting Fire with Water' - the Worksheet (74KB - pdf help) for CWDC Standard 6.3.
