Day one of our 4 week Wild about Learning programme Department of Health Northern Trust #TraumaInformed #LearningOutdoors

We are celebrating these amazing parents and foster carers who completed the Bond attachment training course today. They gave so much of themselves to the learning & each other, and they are bringing the good stuff into their families 👏🥳🤩
South Eastern Trust Jade Irwin nualadeeds01

It’s officially five weeks until the start of Foster Care Fortnight 2024 and we're already so excited! 🧡

Our toolkit for services is now available, containing resources to help you make the most of the theme #FosteringMoments .

Take a look ⬇️

thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/foster-care-fo…

🧒👦 Do you work with Children in Sport?

Child Protection in Sport Unit are running a series of online training sessions covering numerous safeguarding subjects.

Courses are for designated leads, board members and volunteers starting from 17 April.

💻 Find out more: thecpsu.org.uk/events/

Here’s the woman of the hour! Well done Helen 👏 SO great to see kinship families enjoying a lovely, relaxing day at the farm at no cost & lunch provided. Thank you Hannah, Jade, Nicky, Kellyann, helping to create an encouraging atmosphere around thefamilies 🥰 The Fostering Network

It has been a joy for us to host a number of activities for families involved with Step Up Step Down this Easter, including inflatables, high ropes, soft play and craft sessions. Building community is a core part of the service.
South Eastern Trust The Fostering Network

Kathleen Toner Supported by the research evidence too Kathleen, locally, nationally, and internationally, foster care works.

Understanding practice often makes good policy.

The action that we need to take is collective, keeping the focus on children and young people.

#BrighterFutures

Eilis provides an update from Department of Health on the work that is underway currently to deliver measurable change. She named priorities including valuing foster carers as key members of the team around the child, effective partnerships, fostering regulations & positive system reform.

Fantastic to have input from the Health Minister Robin Swann who commended both Prof Jones’ review and our consultation on the recommendations. He knows action needs to be taken and is committed to meaningful change. #BrighterFutures

“My foster carers allowed me to set down roots. They supported me in my significant moments, yet they weren’t seen as a key member in the team around me.” - Joana shares fostering moments from her own experience & how she feels foster carers should be valued. #BrighterFutures

Noeleen shares the difference Step up Step Down has had for her family. We’re not surviving, we’re thriving #BrighterFutures

Kinship carers feel that having consistent support from their social worker, support in education and inclusion in decisions for her young person have been key #BrighterFutures

Foster carer Hugh describes the need for reform to be truly focused on positive outcomes for children and appropriate resources out in place to achieve these #BrighterFutures

Hearing the experiences of a parent involved with our Step up Step Down service who were her safety net #BrighterFutures The Fostering Network

Prof Jones’s review recommended the implementation of The Fostering Network’s Mockingbird model, and those we consulted agreed this would be helpful alongside a suite of effective support across the continuum of care.
#BrighterFutures

Foster carers should be seen and positioned as valued members of the children’s social care workforce #BrighterFutures The Fostering Network Department of Health

We need new ways of working. Priorities include:
- A centralised approach rooted in partnership
- The implementation of fostering regulations and standards
- Partnership with the independent fostering sector

#BrighterFutures Northern Ireland Assembly Department of Health

Children, young people, birth parents, kinship carers & foster carers met Prof Jones throughout the course of his review. Over 100 of our members were involved in our consultation on the review’s recommendations. The report platforms those with lived experience. #BrighterFutures

Foster carers have unique skills, knowledge and experience to provide the care, nurture and stability that children need.

Good foster care is a protective factor, promotes resilience and helps children and young people realise their full potential.

#BrighterFutures