Autumn/Winter 2013

www.edinburgh.gov.uk/fostering

Head, Heart and Hands updatep4

The secret foster carerp5

LAC Hibs ticket giveawayp6

Make someone’s day…Make someone’s life

Quarterly newsletter for family based carers in Edinburgh

WINfamily passes

to Camera Obscura

2 Edinburgh Carers’ newsletter

Tricia’s column STAFF MOVES

It’s back to school and goodbye summer. The leaves have finally turned and we’re back from the October break. The time between the school holidays always seems so busy for us. You too, I’m sure. Support groups restart, we started running our carer preparation groups in September, the Care Inspectors visited from 17 October, and the main event, our ‘Carer Celebratory Evening’ is on 30 October. I look forward to seeing you there.

Two of our Family Based Care Teams have moved offices over the summer, from Springwell to Westfield House. This was a major upheaval for staff, some of whom had been in Springwell for 20 years. Phones and space are at a premium at the moment, however, there are plans in hand to redesign Westfield within the next year, giving a more efficient use of space. Once this happens we hope to have all Family Based Care staff together in the same venue. You will, of course, be invited along for a coffee and viewing when the work is completed.

Another summer event was the launch of the Fostering Network’s ‘Head, Heart, Hands’ project, held in the Scottish Parliament. The feedback from carers who have attended the Social Pedagogy training is very positive so please speak with your FBC SW if you would like to find out more about it.

I also have to mention the MELA. As usual our carer recruitment team and colleagues were there giving out leaflets and talking to prospective carers. A great time was had by all – good food and good music – and we came away with lots of positive interest in fostering.

Isn’t it amazing that our children are now receiving their book a month from Dolly Parton? Reading a book with a child is one of life’s privileges. I just loved that quiet time when my boys were small. I’m sure our accommodated children will benefit hugely, and develop wonderful memories of favourite stories.

I am hoping to meet up with some of you at support groups over the winter so if you would like me to come along please just drop me an email: tricia.rosa@edinburgh.gov.uk or ring me 0131 469 3012.

FBC teams have been busy in the last couple of months moving lock, stock and barrel from Springwell House to their new working offices at Westfield House in Corstorphine.

Tricia Rosa Team Manager Looked After and Accommodated Children tricia.rosa@edinburgh.gov.uk

Carer appreciation eveningYes folks, it’s coming up to that time of year again. Time to book the babysitter, dust off the sequins and get ready for an evening of laughter and fun with your carer and Council colleagues and Grant Stott.

Please join us on Wednesday 30 October at the City Chambers from 7pm til late.

On your way into the Chambers take a look at the new wooden planters, full of sensory flowers. It is hoped that the introduction of these plants will enhance people’s experience when visiting the City Chambers through fragrance, texture and colour.

Learning lunchesIn June we held two learning lunches. One focused on fun activities carers can do with young people along with looking at access to facilities and events during the summer, run by Edinburgh Leisure and targeted at young people. The other was delivered by colleagues from Edinburgh Connect and the LAC Nursing team. This was titled ‘24 hours in the life of a foster child’ and focused upon some of the challenges that foster carers encounter in their day to day care of children and young people. This session explored the opportunities that exist in day to day living to promote a sense of well-being and security.

Look out for information on full day health training in March 2014 and on future learning lunch events for later next year.

The recruitment and family support teams join the fostering teams at Westfield. Eventually all FBC teams will be located here.

Great news from the frontlineDedicated carers Anita and James Baggs have written to let us know about the achievements of two of their foster children

They recently received a letter from the head teacher to inform them that Duncan was selected for Head Boy and Ambassador for 2013/14 for Pilrig Park School. Anita writes: ‘We are just delighted and can’t express how proud we are of Duncan, especially when at one time he did not enjoy education. However, he now embraces his learning.

‘Another example is Jamie who had been expelled from school in his second year and is now excelling in education at the school he was moved to and is now staying on past his leaving date into fifth year. He is now helping primary 6 and 7 into high school as a Sports Leader!

‘It should be recognised that team and partnership working with Carole, social work and education has been crucial in the boys becoming confident individuals and wanting to succeed in life.’

Two very happy carers

Anita & James

Edinburgh Carers’ newsletter 3

Fostering team wins the APSE Best Efficiency awardFoster Me Foster Us came out top in the finals of the APSE Awards 2013 (Association of Public Services Excellence) in September. Tricia Rosa, Team Manager and Sarah Duguid, Communications Officer represented us at the event at St Georges Hall in Liverpool.

Our entry in the Best Efficiency Award was based on the success of our wide reaching and engaging foster care recruitment campaign, which saw a 55% increase in registering new carers. The campaign’s unique style in telling a child’s story caught the judges’ attention.

Staff benefits cardRemember to use your Premium Benefits card – the current Spring/Summer offers are valid right through to October when the Autumn /Winter offers brochure will be distributed. The easiest way to check offers is online at www.premiumbenefits.co.uk/

Carers’ participation strategyIn July we launched our first ever family based care participation strategy with a carer survey and feedback form.

Thanks to all carers who have completed and returned them to me. This is the first stage of the strategy and I will go on to work on ways of consulting with young people and children, parents, kinship carers and other professionals. We all make judgements and decisions in our day to day work and care and the participation strategy is a means of helping us take a step back and consider that simple and yet most challenging question ‘are we getting it right?’

So if you have ever thought ‘why don’t we?’, ‘if only we could!’ or ‘we shouldn’t do that...’ now is a good time to tell me about it.

Regards,

Lovat Lovat.fraser@edinburgh.gov.uk

Camera Obscura ticket giveawayWondering how to entertain the family over the weekend? Why not drop us a line? We have four family tickets to give away to the wonderfully weird Camera Obscura.

Situated on the Royal Mile, near the Castle, Camera Obscura is one of Edinburgh’s top visit attractions. It is open from 9.30 til late each day, with visits taking around two hours. Each family ticket will admit two adults and two children for free, a saving of up to £42. Not bad for a simple email or phone call!

Drop me a line at michelle.donegan@edinburgh.gov.uk or 0131 469 5226. The first four people to get in touch will get the tickets.

New website goes liveHas anyone spotted our new website online yet? Our online presence has finally tied up with the look and feel of our advertising campaigns.

It’s been a couple of years in development and we’re pretty pleased with the results. Have a look for yourself at www.edinburgh.gov.uk/fostering.

We carried out research and found that the public wanted more case studies, so they could see themselves in the role. Many of our carers answered the call and we are now able to publish a wide range of carers’ stories. Huge thanks goes out to all our carers who have helped us in the development of the site.

If you too would like to get involved, with feedback or your own case study, please get in touch with michelle.donegan@edinburgh.gov.uk. We’d be delighted to showcase your story and keep the website current and interesting.

Edinburgh Carers’ newsletter 3

Liz McClarnon from Atomic Kitten meets real live celebrities Tricia and Sarah

4 Edinburgh Carers’ newsletter

In Edinburgh Social Pedagogy is growing from strength to strength. What was our ambition at the start of the journey is slowly becoming the reality. We are really pleased with the progress we have made so far. The group of carers who have committed to the training are starting to relate learning to practice and see its relevance in all aspects of care. Carers report growing awareness of their role within the environment around the child. Each training group has started to develop a sense of identity that has promoted strong relations amongst participants and has created a vibrant learning environment. Most importantly has formed a network of support amongst carers and professionals, breaking the barriers of working in isolation. Fun and laughter are never in short supply and more recently birthday cakes have started to appear!

Participants so far have thoroughly enjoyed exploring child care in a social pedagogic approach and they are gradually becoming our own version of a ‘social pedagogic foster carer.’

For those who are due to start in our third and final series make sure you free yourself up for the 10 sessions, reorganise other events and speak to your worker so they understand the importance of this for you.

Our plans beyond the training are to promote a systemic change and sustainability. We have started with revision of our prep materials for prospective carers, offer further SP workshops to workers and team leaders as well as linking with other developments within the department. We plan to form social pedagogic reflection and working groups to build on the initial training.

All of the above would have not been achieved without the support of senior managers, managers, carers and workers and throughout the city.

Thank you to all of those behind the scene and to all the carers that make this project one of the most exciting learning experiences we have ever had.

Alma Cope Team Leader

Social pedagogy progress

BME campaign successOur latest BME campaign again centred around events at McDonald Road library and the Edinburgh MELA. The two week campaign, which included four drop in dates resulted in six enquiries from the library and eight from the Mela which we are following up!!

Our poster boy Vincent and siblings Nasim and Aamina told their stories through posters, newspaper and radio ads and our successful lamp post wraps – even though we were competing with the festival for attention!

Did you attend any of the events, or spot us at the MELA? Let us know what you thought. Feedback helps towards our planning for next year.

Paula, recruitment team leader said of the MELA, that she noticed our bags and colouring pencils went down very well and a number of people mentioned that they had seen our posters, heard our radio ads and were aware of Waverley Court events! All good news!

Birth children of foster carers groupHave you heard about the group for foster carers’ own, school age, children? The group will meet every six to eight weeks. Morag Ewing, a senior practitioner with the fostering team, will be running the group, along with another social work colleague. The group’s aims are to offer a support network for carers’ children, to build friendships, share experiences and most importantly have fun activities.

If any carers are interested in their children joining, please contact Morag on 0131 314 5868.

The FBC team and foster carers with MSP Aileen Campbell at the Fostering Network’s Head, Heart and Hands launch.

Edinburgh Carers’ newsletter 5

Every so often you read something that gives you goosebumps. The blog below, written by the Secret Foster Carer and reproduced by the kind permission of www.communitycare.co.uk was one such article that brought home again what a life-changing job carers do every day.

‘We allowed the mum to be seven years old again’A day trip to the seaside can yield some unexpected, and very moving, truths when you work with vulnerable young people – and even adults.

My partner and I were fostering a seven-year-old girl, and a mother and child. The mother was a homeless woman with her second baby by an unknown man. The baby was eight weeks old. When you’re fostering a parent and child your job is to assess the parent’s suitability to parent, as well as help them with guidance and advice.

When we got to the sandy beach I bought the seven-year-old a bucket and spade, and a kite for later. She took off her shoes and socks and got busy making a sandcastle. The parent watched her playing, then said: ‘Can you keep an eye on the baby?’ Then she asked, in a child-like voice: ‘May I go on the sand?’ She took off her shoes and socks and trotted around in circles next to the sandcastle, feeling the hot sand between her toes, then she squatted down and started to dig.

‘I took a deep breath and clenched my teeth’My partner appeared with three cups of takeaway tea and took one across the sand for her. When he returned he told me: ‘I said, you love the beach then? And she looked at me and said she’d never been on a beach before. She’d never made a sandcastle.’

You know that thing you have to do to stop yourself from crying? Where you take a deep breath and clench your teeth? It doesn’t always work, does it? So instead I went off and bought another bucket and spade.

We decided there and then that for the rest of the day we’d look after the baby as much as was needed, and let the mum be seven years old again.

On the train home I drew up a little quiz for them. I listed all the events of the day and asked them to put them in order of which they liked best:

1 Making Sandcastles.

2 Flying a Kite.

3 Going on the Pier.

4 Lunch at the Beach Café.

5 The Interactive Dinosaur Museum.

6 The Adventure Playground.

7 Go-Karting.

8 Walking up the huge hill from the beach to the station.

Obviously number 8 was included as a joke, because of all the moaning there’d been. Number 4 wasn’t really that serious either, it just marked the middle of the day, and the events were in the order of the day. It was intended to be a fun thing, but as so often happens in fostering, you give a rock a little kick and something jumps out and bites you.

Both scored everything as high as they could using tricks that would make a Strictly Come Dancing panel look bland. For example, they tied lots of things so nothing came last. But here’s the thing we never expected – because, in the sunshine of the day, we’d momentarily forgotten they were people who needed extra love and care – they both gave top marks to number 4.

The imaginary seven-year-oldWe remembered food beats everything for the seven-year-old. She’d been deliberately starved as a punishment by her birth family. One of her sisters would steal scraps from the pedal bin and risk a hiding by smuggling it up to the child’s bedroom. The child used to hoard rotting carrot stalks in secret for the next time she would be starved. Hardly surprising that she put lunch ahead of the Go-Karts.

But we wanted to know why the adult, the imaginary seven-year-old, had lunch at the top of her list. Yet we know asking a searching question outright is often a bad idea. Fostered children are fearful of opening up too much about their lives and histories, maybe the mum would feel the same.

Instead I said: ‘That must have been a helluva club sandwich’. ‘No’, she said. ‘Just that I’ve never been to a restaurant before. Been to McDonalds obviously, but the beach one had knives and forks and plates. And…’

‘And what?’ I asked. ‘Well, it was just the first time I’ve done anything like that, like a family would. Like we were a family.’ Hardly surprising that she put lunch ahead of everything.

The Secret Foster Carer

Dolly Parton’s Imagination LibrarySince the launch of the Imagination Library in Edinburgh last May over 300 of our Looked After Children receive a brand new book every month, from birth until they are five years old, helping our children build up their very own library.

Reading is a vital part of all children’s early years education ensuring they have the best start in life. As well as being fun, reading and sharing books brings significant benefits including attachment, building confidence, developing language, writing and drawing skills.

Thank you to carers who are supporting this initiative by helping children make the most of their books and making sure they build up their own library. Here’s just some of the feedback we’ve had from Social Workers:

‘A four year old boy I work with receives books from the Imagination Library. He is always so excited when the book is delivered by the postman and is quick to get it opened and read it.’

‘Foster carers and kinship carers that I work with have commented very positively on the books received, with one kinship carer very impressed that it was THE Dolly Parton. All thought it was a wonderful idea and found the books to be appropriate and of good quality.’

Good news! Although the Imagination Library gifting scheme ends when the child is five years, the Looked After Children Literacy Group is looking at options for a book gifting scheme beyond five years and for our older Looked After Children. In the first instance this would be for older siblings of those receiving books from the Imagination Library. There is also a pilot book gifting scheme from the Letterbox organisation underway in Edinburgh with 15 Primary 3 and 15 Primary 5 pupils who are Looked After. All of these initiatives are designed to promote parents and carers to read with their children.

Suzanne Glancy, Project Manager

Kicks for Kids Hibs tickets giveawayCarer Julie Coghill has a new round of tickets to give away to Hibs games throughout the season.

Donated through the Hibs Kicks for Kids scheme, she has ten tickets per match to give away to carers. There is a maximum of five tickets per family, with at least three to be used by children.

Let Julie know how many tickets you need and your postal or email address. She will then send you a confirmation letter to get your tickets from Hibs. To make sure you get tickets, get in touch with Julie on a Wednesday of a match weekend, at the latest.

Contact Julie on 0131 664 7591, 078 107 22077 or email her at juliecoghill@blueyonder.co.uk

Enjoy the sunshine on Leith!

6 Edinburgh Carers’ newsletter

Fostering Network DiscountsDid you know foster carer members of the Fostering Network can get money off entry to Merlin attractions across the UK, including:

The Dungeons – Edinburgh, Blackpool Tower, •London and York

SEA LIFE centres and sanctuaries – Loch Lomond •Aquarium, Birmingham, Blackpool, Brighton, Great Yarmouth, Gweek National Seal Sanctuary, Hunstanton, London Aquarium, Oban, Scarborough Marine Sanctuary, and Weymouth Adventure Park & Marine Sanctuary

Alton Towers Resort and Hotels•

Thorpe Park•

Chessington World of Adventures•

Madame Tussauds – London and Blackpool•

LEGOLAND Windsor Resort•

LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Manchester•

Blackpool Tower Circus and Eye•

Warwick Castle•

To book discounted tickets call 0871 222 4001 quoting ‘Fostering Network.’

New TCAC Facebook pageKeep up to date with what’s going on at Throughcare and Aftercare by liking our new Facebook page.

We’ll be posting updates about training and employment opportunities, leisure activities, what’s going on at the Drop-In and lots, lots more!

Just search TCAC Edinburgh and look for our logo.

Edinburgh Carers’ newsletter 7

Kidz cyber corner

Reviews

Hi there, hope you have all had a wonderful break and enjoyed lots of sunny days. Now that you are back at school, if you need some inspiration for homework projects or just some fun then maybe these sites might be able to help you out…

Little onesYou can never go wrong with CBBC with loads of fun and learning: www.bbc.co.uk

Be cool, keep up to date!Want to keep up with the news but don’t like main adult TV news? Then why not have a look at BBC’s Newsround? It has all the up to date news that is really easy to read and lots, lots more too: www.bbc.co.uk/newsround

Ever wondered what climate change is all about?Why not check out NASA site for kids it makes finding out about climate change fun and exciting and may even help you with projects you may have for homework too!

For those studying at school for exams or projects on climate change you may want to just go straight to the serious stuff at: http://climate.nasa.gov

Want to find out more about conservation! What is that? Papermaking or recycling, how to be eco friendly and have loads of fun at the same time and learn how you can look after the environment by taking part in different projects: www.ecofriendlykids.co.uk

Like reading? Like books? Why not check out for the latest and up to date what’s hot on the books now: www.booktrust.org.uk/books/teenagers/

Have something you care about? Want to join a group that can help make the changes you might like to see?You may need to complete a project for school! The Scottish Youth parliament may be the place for you. You can just read about it or join in at: www.syp.org.uk/

If you are embarking on a Duke of Edinburgh Challenge here is a page that may help you survive: www.wikihow.com/Survive-a-Duke-of-Edinburgh’s-Award-Weekend

Eat well, be well… is very true! Loads of information on how to eat well to be well and loads more at: www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Goodfood/Pages/healthy-eating-teens.aspx

Carers: help with reading and writing for older children at CLAN Edinburgh: www.clanedinburgh.org/learn/online/

REMEMBER REMEMBER STAY SAFE ONLINE! Why not show your carers or parents how to use Facebook or the internet and how to stay safe online. More info and help at: www.thinkuknow.co.uk

Enjoy…

Marion Boyle, IT Development Officer (LAC), City of Edinburgh Council

Superkid by Claire FreedmanNever fear – Superkid is here! With X-ray vision, super speed and bravery by the bag-load, Superkid is always on hand to save the day! He can spot bullies trying to steal your bubblegum, he knows just what to do with a plateful of broccoli, and he can make even pirates surrender.

For 4 to 8 year olds

Percy Jackson and the Sea of Monsters by Rick RiordanPercy Jackson has had a quiet year. Not a single monster has set foot in his New York school. But when a game of dodgeball turns into a death match against an ugly gang of cannibal giants, things get...well, ugly!

Now Percy and his friends must embark on a quest that will take them into the treacherous Sea of Monsters and a desperate fight for their lives! It is also an exciting 3D film from 20th Century Fox.

For 9 to 12 year olds

Exodus by Julie BertagnaMara’s island home is drowning, slowly but surely, beneath storm-tossed waves. As the mighty ice-caps melt, the Earth is giving up its land to the ocean – and a community, a way of life, are going to die.

In a terrifying gamble for survival, Mara and the islanders of Wing take to their boats in the ultimate exodus. Somehow they must find a new home in a world they no longer understand – a world where anything and everything is possible.

For 12 to 15 year olds

Let us know what you think about Caring for our Children and any ideas you have about what you’d like to see in the next edition. If you want to contribute, please contact the editor with your story, review or idea by 10 January 2014.

Michelle Donegan, Communications Officer, Communication Services, Waverley Court, Level 2.1, 4 East Market Street, Edinburgh EH8 8BGemail: michelle.donegan@edinburgh.gov.uktel: 0131 469 5226

You can get this document on tape, in Braille, large print and various computer formats if you ask us. Please contact ITS on 0131 242 8181 and quote reference no 12-1164B. ITS can also give information on community language translations. You can get more copies of this document by calling 346 9060.

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8 Edinburgh Carers’ newsletter

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Upcoming Events

Did you know?• ThecelebrationofHalloweenisover2000yearsold,

datingbacktothetimeoftheCelts.

• SamhainophobiaisfearofHalloween.

• TrickortreatingevolvedfromtheCeltictraditionofleavingoutfoodtoplacatethespirits.

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• Thefirstjacko’lanternwascarvedfromaturnip.

City Art Centre12.30–2.30pm, free

Drop in family workshops, inspired by the Lion King, these free workshops are perfect for families looking for quick, less structured art activity. Choose from:

The Tree of LifeSaturday 9 November

Make and decorate your own 3D tree, inspired by your own life.

Creature CharactersSaturday 16 November

Make your own lollipop stick puppets.

Jungle JewellerySaturday 23 November

Make your own African style from craft materials.

Light Night – GeorgeStreet,EdinburghSunday24November–free – 2.30pm to 5pm (first performance at 3pm; fireworks at 4.50pm)

Christmas’s Opening Ceremony, is themed around ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’.

With stages all along George Street filled with over 850 performers, the event culminates with Sir Chris Hoy switching on the lights, a street long sing along, led by musicians from Hordaland in Norway, the Edinburgh Rock Choir and the Edinburgh Gorgie Salvation Army Band, and finally, a firework display.

Edinburgh’s Christmas22November–5January 10am–10pm

The usual festive fun across the city from Prince’s Street Gardens ice-rink to the Children’s Christmas Market in St Andrew Square.

St Andrew’s DaySaturday30November

Historic Scotland has opened the doors of many of its best attractions for free on past St Andrew’s Day, including Edinburgh Castle and Linlithgow Palace. Check their website nearer the time for details. www.historic-scotland.gov.uk

Lauriston CastleSaturday 23 November 10am to 1pmA magical Christmas experience – £6 per adult/child

See the very special Edwardian toy collection under the spectacular Christmas tree, hear some very special Christmas stories in the library and witness a traditional Victorian magic lantern show. Finally decorate some wonderful Christmas treats in the kitchen and finish by making a unique Christmas inspired craft.To pre-book phone: 0131 529 3963.

K S G I H U M T J N

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S P O O K Y I O X Z

T A E R T B G V R D

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BROOMSTICK

GHOST

GUISING

SAMHAIN

SCARY

SPOOKY

TREAT

TRICK

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