Reach Camden OutReach carers Out carers Newsletter Issue 11

Welcome to the latest edition of our newsletter for Camden foster carers. We hope that you continue to find our newsletter interesting and useful. If you have any ideas for future features or a story to share about your life as a foster carer, please do write in. The content can always adapt to what you need to know and want to read about. To send us your comments or suggestions about the newsletter, please email [email protected] or phone 020 7974 1152. We look forward to hearing from you.

Inside this issue: New CAFC website | Mentors and advocates | Charter | Training Camden’s Association of Foster Carers New CAFC website (CAFC) provides Camden Foster Care Signing up is easy, and carers with Association now has its navigation around the site is support and own website. clear and uncomplicated. There advice, while sharing information is a range of news, information on the practicalities of caring for www.cafc.eu and resources, both internal Camden children. For information and external to Camden. We and advice or to speak to a CAFC The new site was launched hope you will all sign up and in member, please call 020 7974 3399. at the CAFC annual general time contribute to the website in If anyone is interested in joining the meeting and was developed to some way. committee, please call John Doneo, help CAFC be more inclusive and Chair of CAFC, on 07957 262 987 or responsive to the needs of all The more foster carers use email [email protected] foster carers in Camden. this website, the more useful it will become. Participation and A date has already been As well as improved active involvement will ensure set for this year’s children’s communication and sharing of the better use of resources to Christmas party. It will be held information, the new website enhance the excellent standard on Saturday 15 December at the offers you a platform to raise of foster care in Camden. If Irish Centre, from 1pm till 5pm. concerns, including issues you need help accessing the For information, please do not around allegations, finance or website, please let us know. hesitate to contact John Doneo. placements. We’ll be happy to help.

idea of ‘being there’ for each other is Mediation and Advocacy (CAFC) CAFC still our driving force. is a service that is advertised and encouraged through the The climate we live and work in department. The service will always today can be very stressful; young Mentors & place the welfare of looked after children and teenagers coming into children as its primary concern and care today have many complex Advocates work towards resolving any issues needs. We all need support at one between carers and the department Thirty years ago a Camden foster time or another. Carers have always at ground level. Both staff and carer had an allegation made against been good at talking to one another carers can be rest assured that him. Tragically he was unable to and with family members; great confidentiality is observed and we cope and committed suicide. We, friendships have sprung up over the will only approach the department who were around at the time, were years between carers. Sometimes, at the carer’s request or agreement. very shocked, as we had not heard someone not directly involved in a anything until we were informed situation may be able to say “It’s Any member of CAFC can be about his death, while attending a ok. Let’s look at the big picture and approached with an issue you group support meeting. different scenarios. We may not be wish to talk about and they may able to solve the problem, but we At the time eight carers came delegate to a member who has can offer choices about different together and agreed we should experience in that particular field. ways to deal with a situation.” ensure that nothing like this should Partnership working has always However, sometimes something ever happen again; that there proved to be an effective model more is needed and this is when an should always be advice and in Camden and the mentoring advocate may become involved. support for foster carers. Our group and advocacy service is there to got in contact with the Samaritans, We are aware some carers are bridge the gap if needed. and as a result, a fostering group nervous about speaking out for from the North of England, who fear of upsetting the department; were already offering this service to or maybe they feel unable to put John their carers, came to talk to us. their case clearly, because they Doneo We then all went on a mentoring are emotional about an allegation MBE, course. At the end of the course we being made against them. specialist felt confident enough to set our own Whatever the reason we want to foster group in connection with CAFC. offer carers someone to listen and carer There are now only two of us from hopefully work out a way forward. the original eight. Some have retired, We want to ensure an environment some have passed away, but the of trust and support, after all … 2 happy carers = happier children. Camden Association of Foster Care 40th Anniversary (1972 – 2012)

Cllr Jill Fraser, Secretary of CAFC Fostering for Camden”, which was Care Organisation (www.ifco.info) in copied by other agencies all over 1981 in the Netherlands. the UK. CAFC also wrote to all local In 1972 a few Camden foster Our AGMs used to be held at authorities in the country to see if carers met at a group meeting Willing House (now a Travelodge) there were other foster carer groups at the Area 4 office in Gospel in Grays Inn Road, with foster – one authority famously replied Oak. CAFC grew from this initial carers bringing in food for the that they did not have a foster carer meeting. Our first chairman and buffet afterwards. The aim of the group as all their children were instigator was Chris Gardiner and association was to bring carers and cared for in children’s homes. his wife Susie, who had started the fostering department together fostering a sibling group of five Following CAFC’s initiative 17 for the best interests of the looked- children that year and wanted/ groups began to meet, which led after children. Every year we used needed to meet other carers. to the formation of the National to hold an international event and These were the first committee Foster Care Association (now family days with a lot of activities members: Ms Val Mann, Mr & Fostering Network) in 1974. NFCA’s for the children. The fostering Mrs John Doneo, Mr & Mrs Tom inaugural meeting was at Acland department used to host a big Page, Mr & Mrs Tony Brown, Mr Burghley School in NW5, with more Christmas party for carers, their & Mrs Pat Crinnion, Mr & Mrs Pat than 300 delegates from all over children and looked-after children at Johns, Ms Joan Jagger, SSW Sue the UK, who were addressed by the Coram Centre. Anderson, SSW Barbara Eaton, Government Minister David Owen. On behalf of the present CAFC, Ms Ena Fry and Sue Anderson’s Camden foster carers produced I would like to thank Chris husband who was our first the salad lunch for everybody. Gardiner for the hard work treasurer. The Director at that time NFCA’s first office was in Queen’s he put in to start CAFC. Chris was Mr Kenneth Urwin and his Crescent, and from there the travelled from his home in the AD was Ms Kate Atherton, who first international meeting was Czech Republic to meet old helped CAFC to get a small grant organised at Oxford University in and new friends at the 40th from Camden Council. 1979. This led to the formation of CAFC Anniversary AGM that the worldwide International Foster CAFC wrote and had printed was held on Thursday 14th a handbook called the “A-Z of June 2012.

The Foster Carers opportunities, now and in the Charter future. Camden recognises and values the important role that Last year the London Borough Camden foster carers play in of Camden in consultation with providing this excellent care Camden’s foster carers worked to our children. The Charter on producing a foster carer provides a clear and easily charter that could support foster understandable set of principles carers, the local authority and to guide the relationship other services to have a shared between foster carers and the understanding about fostering local authority in providing for and the role it plays in meeting the the needs of some of the most needs of our looked-after children. vulnerable children of Camden. This work was completed earlier A copy of the Foster Carers Cllr Jill Fraser this year and on the 1st of May Charter for Camden was given Cllr Thomas Gardiner 2012, our Fostering Service held a out to carers who attended the John Doneo, CAFC Chair special event to launch the Foster fostering awards ceremony on Cllr Claire-Louise Leyland Carers Charter for Camden carers. the 18th of May and further This Charter aims to ensure that all copies were posted out to all Former Cabinet Member for looked-after children in Camden remaining foster carers. The Children Larraine Revah get the best care possible, so charter is also available on the they can make the most of their foster carers’ CAFC website. 3 immensely. The approval panel Spotlight on Steve was scary, but what made this less stressful was the Panel Camden foster carer Chair coming to greet me on my arrival – this I found very humane. I was approved in February 2012 Steve was approved as PLEASE! I was then invited to a 3 and currently have a 10 year old a Camden foster carer in day preparation group. boy, who comes to me every 4 February 2012. Here he talks The preparation group was an eye weeks. Each time I pick him up about the assessment process opener – even for me with years at school his little face lights up, and his experiences as a of childcare experience. Some of which immediately makes me foster carer so far. the course for me was updating smile. He talks incessantly about I initially trained as a general nurse my child protection/safeguarding anything and everything, including in Aberdeen, Scotland and if you knowledge, but the other part of his “made up” stories. He enjoys were to ask any of my friends at the course was fantastic. I am not meeting other children and loves the time the very thought of me a great believer in role play, but this SpongeBob SquarePants. having or looking after children put a new spin on it even for me. To date, was laughable. However, since It made me think deeper about I have Each time I pick moving to London over 21 years how I would deal with a similar experienced him up at school his ago, I went on to train as a situation and what the thoughts no difficulties. little face lights up, children’s nurse. Throughout the of others (including perpetrators) There are which immediately past 14 years within were. Oonagh and Fiona times when makes me smile this field there has were fantastic at facilitating you have to been very little that I Looking at this workshop. think outside have not seen. this advert, ... the box and use this to interact I found myself Two weeks later, I received I was flicking through a a phone call from Oonagh with the child/young person. This saying “I could is about a partnership – between nursing journal at home do that” asking if I would like to one day when I saw a continue to the next stage me, the child/young person and foster carer recruitment (sounds a bit like X-factor!) – Social Services. advert. I sat on this for a few days, again, I became very excited and I have thoroughly enjoyed the intermittently looking at this advert, expressed my wish to continue. assessment process and learned until I found myself saying “I could I was then allocated Jonny as some things about myself along do that”. I contacted that agency my assessing social worker, the way. and was sent an information pack, who prodded and probed my but no-one followed this up with thoughts, feelings and those of I would encourage anyone to me. Then having discussed this my nominated family and friends. look into becoming a foster with a good friend of mine, she There were a few times throughout carer, whether it’s full-time advised me to contact Camden to the assessment process where fostering or respite at the inform them of my intention and I was actually stuck for words weekend, which allows me to perhaps they may want me to join (a very rare thing for me!) in hold down my full-time job, their team. my description of my feelings. Monday to Friday. Currently I I contacted the duty social worker Personally, I think the process went am unable to foster full-time and spoke with a lovely Scottish quickly; friends thought it could be due to other commitments, but lady who wrote all my questions quicker and with fewer questions this is something which I am down; and when the duty social but Jonny was very good at seriously considering for the worker returned my call the first getting the truth from me and future. thing she did was answer them this again was reflected from my all. She then asked if I needed friends, who said he would make a anything else answering. I was great interrogator! very impressed by this – “what The highlights of the process a professional” I thought! I was were the people with whom I then invited to an open evening came into contact with – from where the speakers were lovely other candidates to social and answered all my queries. I workers to the approval panel. was then contacted about one The foster carers’ network is week later to ask how I found the something special; the support open evening and if I would like and friendliness of other carers to proceed with my application. out there has inspired me I jumped at this offer – YES 4 Janet’s lemon cake Hi everyone, I have this fail-safe recipe for a simple and delicious lemon cake. It usually takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes and I break it down into simple steps: mixing, baking and coating the cake. So, have a go! Janet, Camden foster carer

Ingredients: Pre-heat the oven to Gas Mark 4 2 small unwaxed lemons (180°C). To test if it is cooked, use a 6oz unsalted butter (keep at room Prepare a loaf tin with butter. skewer to prod in the middle temperature) In a mixing bowl, put in all the of the cake. When the skewer plus extra butter to grease loaf tin with 1) ingredients - butter, flour, baking is withdrawn nice and clean, 7oz self-raising flour powder, eggs and lemon zest, the cake is cooked; if not, 1/2 tsp baking powder finally adding 6oz of sugar. place back in the oven for a 3 large eggs few more minutes. 10oz granulated sugar Blend all the ingredients using either a food processor, a whisk, When the cake is cooked, a blender or a wooden spoon remove from the oven to cool coating. Leave to set for 1 hour until the mixture is smooth for 5 minutes - then place on until the lemony sugar icing is and thick. a wire rack. crystallised. Now take the mixture and spoon Now squeeze one lemon and 3) I hope you enjoy it. directly into the loaf tin. Use a mix 1 tsp of lemon juice with spoon to level the surface. the remaining 4oz of granulated sugar to make a lemony sugar To share your favourite Place the loaf tin in the oven 2) icing for the cake. recipes with fellow foster (middle shelf) for 35 minutes Using a skewer make 50-60 carers, please email or until it is well risen and [email protected] golden brown. deep holes in the cake and spoon over the lemony sugar

LAC Academy Awards 2012 Thank goodness the rain held off. After the

Foster carers for the last few years have been lovely breakfast, we headed through London

encouraged to recommend looked after on the DUCK tour and then onto the river children (LAC) for an award from the LAC Thames. The young ones were very impressed,

Academy, for their achievements at school, so were the adults. sports, drama etc. This year both mainstream In the future if carers would like to nominate and special needs children had a good their young ones, please do so. It’s not always representation. I had never been before, but easy for our children was very impressed with the thought and time to achieve at school, that went into the organisation of the day. The because of different children were so pleased; they laughed, clapped circumstances, but and loved all the attention. Even my young when they do, it is a one who has got special needs, used his award cause for celebration, as a frisbee and laughed his head off as it flew and we were so pleased through the air. for our young ones and Tim Aldridge presented the awards with the all the other children help of Sally Joseph. The LAC Academy were all and their carers. Thank you all. It there in full force, being supportive and making sure that children and their carers had their was a great day out, needs attended to. Many familiar faces were may it continue to

be repeated for all there too: Sally, Nuala, Councillors and people Moira Doneo MBE our children that who are involved with Children’s Services. Specialist foster carer try so hard. 5 Reach Out Newsletter | Autumn/Spring 2012 | Issue 10 New membership benefits for Fostering Network members

Camden’s Fostering Service provides membership of the Fostering Network for all its fostering households. As well as receiving Foster Care magazine and having Spread the word access to a 24-hour legal helpline and legal protection insurance, members now get the following: Please join us in our efforts to recruit more foster carers. For every person/couple you refer to us • Money off days out for the family that is successfully approved as a Camden foster Foster carer members can now get up to 52% carer, you will receive a reward of £250. We hold off entry to the UK’s top attractions, such as open information evenings throughout the year for Alton Towers, Thorpe Park, Chessington World prospective carers to come and meet our team. of Adventures, SeaLife Centres across the UK, Madame Tussauds London & Blackpool, To find out more about our open evenings, Legoland Windsor & Manchester, The Dungeons the venue details and the referral and Warwick Castle. rewards scheme, please speak to your fostering supervising social worker or • Discounts on home insurance call 020 7974 6783. All members of the Fostering Network receive a 10% discount on comprehensive and flexible household insurance specifically developed for foster carers, provided by Towergate Insurance. Key features include: o Cover for any malicious damage or vandalism Training caused by a fostered child o Cover for theft or attempted theft by any It’s very important that foster carers sign up for the fostered child dedicated training courses available in Camden. Carers need to sign up for at least 3 trainingOCT sessions o No need to contact Towergate each time a year. When unable to attend training, please you take in a new placement, as this won’t inform the duty social worker by callingFRIDA 020Y 7974 restrict or void the cover provided 6783. There is now a charge for non-attendance o Cover for all foster children’s possessions without prior notification, so please let us know while they are in your care. as soon as possible if you’re not able5 to attend a pre-booked course. • Mortgage and financial advice service Foster carers often struggle to find a suitable Upcoming training for foster carers at mortgage and get the right financial advice, Vadnie Bish House: so the Fostering Network has partnered with Endsleigh to launch a new financial advice service. Endsleigh has already helped over 100 foster carers secure a mortgage in the OCT Overcoming Bullying past 12 months, including many who have been declined before because of their status FRIDAY as a foster carer. Members of the Fostering Network will get an exclusive 40% discount on the fee for the first initial completed mortgage. 5 This dedicated service also provides member- exclusive advice on other financial matters such NOV as tax and retirement planning. The Positive Role of Men in Fostering WEDNESDAY Find out more about how to access all of these new benefits by visiting www.fostering.net/member-offers 28 6

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WEDNESDAY 28 Foster carer awards 2012

The fantastic work of long service of five, Camden’s foster carers ten and fifteen years. was recognised at a special The gathering was awards ceremony on Friday a unique opportunity 18 May at the Holiday Inn in for Camden to Camden Lock. celebrate your hard Awards were presented work, enthusiasm and by legendary actor Melvyn commitment to caring Hayes who came all the for children. Events like way from the Isle of Wight this help to highlight the to recognise and reward the urgent need for more Camden foster carer Chris_ borough’s foster carers for foster carers to come receives his 5 year long service_ forward to bring a sense of award from actor Melvyn Hayes family and a child that inclusion to may not have one is an vulnerable act of pure selflessness and children. compassion. I would like to personally thank every Melvyn Hayes single one of them. I just said: hope that we continue to find “As a foster carer homes and carers for all our myself, I am vulnerable children and young Camden foster carers Charlotte delighted to be people and to help them get and Mary receive their 5 year paying Camden the most out of their lives.” foster carers long service award from actor the respect and In total, 13 awards were recognition they presented. Previous events Melvyn Hayes deserve. Offering have been attended by acting a stable home legend Sir Derek Jacobi, environment to Madness lead singer and singer Sinitta. Photographs by Patrick Dodds The fostering awards Once again, the Awards have been and gone, an opportunity at the end of a long working team managers, social workers and Principal week for carers and staff to put on our bling Officers. As always, not everyone was able to and glad rags. turn up due to babysitting issues, as the needs of It was really nice to meet our special guest children came first. Melvyn Hayes. He really knows what it is to be The fostering world is unique, not two people that I a foster carer with our mixed emotions that have ever met foster for the same reasons. It makes can change on a daily basis or from one hour for a very interesting group of people, who all in to the next, depending on what is going on their own way have a lot to contribute. with the child/children you’re looking after. We also have to I looked around the room and I thought so thank Elias for many people from different walks of life, all organising the beaming in to the one subject close to all of event and the our hearts: ‘children and how best to meet photographer, their needs’. Patrick Dodds. The Mayor, Councillors and other A big thank you representatives all appeared to be relaxed from all of us. and to enjoy themselves. Ann Baxter and John & Moira Anne Turner were both there, as were the Doneo M.B.E. Specialist Foster Carers 7 Meet our Fostering Team Putting a face to the name Although you may have already met in person with one or more of our workers, we thought we’d Nuala Harrington introduce you to the whole team. Team Manager Pal Jandu Panel advisor

Yasmin Iyyaz Renee Powell Fiona Ford Helen Downhill Daniella Yahuda Senior Practitioner Supervising social worker Senior Practitioner Senior Practitioner Supervising social worker

Justyna Mroczkowska Nadine Beresford Eileene Shapland Tina Hodgkinson Jonny Persoff Supervising social worker Supervising social worker Supervising social worker Supervising social worker Supervising social worker

Barbara Lucas Ewa Remon Oonagh Hodges Raj Munisami Elias Koronis Supervising social worker Marketing Officer Supervising social worker Supervising social worker Supervising social worker

This newsletter was edited by Elias Koronis, Marketing Officer in the Adoption and Fostering teams in Camden. If you have any comments, please email [email protected] or call 020 7974 1152.

Fostering Team If you have a complaint about the Camden Council service you get from the Council, Children, schools and families please phone us on 020 7974 6673 Family Services and Social Work and ask for a copy of the guide to Crowndale Centre making a complaint. 218 Eversholt Street London NW1 1BD If you would like this newsletter in email: [email protected] another language, please Phone: 0800 0281 436 phone Elias on 020 7974 1152. Fax: 020 7974 6799 camden.gov.uk/fostering Published September 2012. Produced by Camden Design 11/12 1188.12 Tel. 020 7974 1985