summer 2012 online - foster families magazine

fosterfamilies

Summer 2012 Issue 13 £2

Teens on holidays

Planning a holiday you

can ALL enjoy

Adoption: our story

Rita tells the ups and downs of the adoption process

“A great magazine packed to the brim with information. A very useful resource for foster carers - and at a very reasonable price too,” Inspired Foundations

Top tips on supporting them

at school

Win theBabaSling

Two of these slings are up for

grabs

Education& trauma

Find us:

Contents Summer 2012 foster families 2

Find us:

Order the full magazine in print or download from http://fosterfamilies.co.uk/download.html

Contents

personal . . .your party stories ... 23 our adoption story ... 27

advice . . .become a foster carer series: self employed... 5family tree? not me ... 9 school and nappies don’t mix: toilet training ... 29

internet safety . . .social networking and birth family ... 6

food and health . . .cathy glass: diet and behaviour ... 30spicy aubergine recipe card ... 35cooking tips for careleavers ... 35chris’s cookery cards: pasta ... 36

Find out what great treats we have in store for you in the Summer edition of Foster Families

fun stuff . . .kids’ corner ... 37crossword ... 39

our top tips ...attachment, trauma and education ... 12what did you say? how older kids interact ... 15 supporting kids with adhd and odd ... 17taking a break ... 21it’s party time ... 23caring for asylum seeking children ... 25teens on holiday ... 32your letters ... 38

communication . . .what did you say? how older kids interact ... 14

reviews ...dry like me ... 29 i can cook range ... 34sistema klip it boxes ... 34 little tikes first slide ... 37thebabasling ... 39

9

6

38

Summer 2012 Edition 13

14

21

Pho

tos,

clo

ckw

ise

from

top

left:

CD

I Eu

rope

, Lo

ren

Kern

s, S

tudi

osto

er, Is

a Co

sta,

Cha

rlott

e M

orra

ll, C

herie

Joy

ful

Cov

er p

hoto

: Tik

a G

rego

ry

30

competitions ...dry like me ... 29 little tikes first slide ... 37thebabasling ... 39

higher education . . . early learning at ‘spring school’ ... 18

seeking asylum . . .how foster carers can help ... 25

behavioural support . . .ask our psychologist: adhd and odd ... 16

support . . .allegations: your letters answered ... 7attachment, trauma and education ... 10 taking a break: why you need one ... 21

teenagers . . .understanding teens ... 13 taking teens on a family holiday ... 32

training . . . is your knowledge valued? ... 24

Welcome Summer 2012 foster families 3

Welcome from the editor... Foster Families OnlineWhat can you find?

Visit www.fosterfamilies.co.uk for the latest news and updates from Foster Families Magazine. The website has a cookery corner with video tips, a shop, a swap shop and a competitions page, plus lots more. You can order the magazine in different currencies depending on where you live, or you can download the magazine for £1.

For more updates you can follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/Foster_Families or become a fan on our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Foster-Families-Magazine/144256428433

To read the rest of this article please download from http://fosterfamilies.co.uk/download.html

9

Dear Reader,

It’s been a busy few months for me since the last issue with the birth of my lovely daughter - busy but fun! Whether you’re taking the foster kids on holiday with you or having some time out at home, you’ll find tips and ideas inside this issue to help make it a fun summer. If you foster teenagers there’s lots of advice for understanding them, and we’ve got toilet training tips for little ones too. Remember to send your questions in and our experts will answer them with fantastic advice. So sit back and have a good read!

Ceressa Bateman, Editor

Once you become a foster carer it’s

important to register as self employed. This is probably the last thing on

your mind when you get your first placement given all that entails. However, if it’s put to the bottom of the pile for too long it can cause you more worry than it needs to and may lead to penalties - if you aren’t registered you aren’t able to meet the tax return submission deadlines.

It’s easy!The process of registration is simple - honestly! All you need is your name, address, date of birth and national

insurance number. You can register by the following methods:

1Contact your advisor (FosterTax registers its clients)

2Online – www.hmrc.gov.uk (Search on self employment)

3Ringing HMRC Call them on: 0845 915 4515

4Submitting forms CWF1It can take HMRC up to six weeks

to process your forms - another reason not to leave it to the last minute.Foster carers and HMRC Foster carers are treated as being self employed by H M Revenue & Customs (HMRC). This means that you must register with HMRC and, if required to, must submit a tax return on time to avoid penalties. Things have changed! In the past HMRC allowed foster ...

Thinking of fostering? Hayley Payne explains why foster carers must register as self employed

Working for me

“Not registering can lead to penalties”

FosterTax specialise in looking after the taxation affairs of foster carers. Please contact Hayley on 01207 524909 or visit our website: www.fostertax.co.uk.

How to become a foster

carer series - part 6

Personal Summer 2012 foster families 5

Internet Safety Summer 2012 foster families 4

To view the full article please order or download from http://fosterfamilies.co.uk/download.html

To view the full article please download from http://fosterfamilies.co.uk/download.html

Like it or not, it seems that social networking sites such as Facebook and Myspace are here

to stay... and the ways in which our young people can access these sites is ever increasing. Most of us keep an eye on things when children are on the computer but did you know that they can also access these sites via Xbox, Nintendo DS, Wii and Playstation 3? Most smart phones have an internet facility which means that ‘posts’ can be made on the move and well away from the prying eyes of adults. More and more young people are also using applications such as Google Latitude which lets them share their location alongside their Facebook

page so ‘friends’ know exactly where they are.Being ‘online’ can create the illusion of being protected from the ‘real’ world and many young people have a very different online persona and say or post pictures of things they wouldn’t have the confidence to do in real

life. Others just don’t think of the possible implications of their actions and post things with

devastating consequences. One girl I know sent her boyfriend a topless photo from her mobile phone to his. He wanted to show off to his mates so he posted it on Facebook. It was in turn reposted and circulated far and wide before someone ...

Lorna Miles shares how social networking can be a problematic way for birth families to get in touch

Will you be my ‘friend’?

“Posts can be made on the move, using

smart phones”

We’ve had allegations made against us and the

children removed from our care. This has been devastating, but what has followed since has been worse. There was a Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) meeting with the Local Authority (LA) and other agencies, which we weren’t allowed to attend. We work for an Independent Fostering Agency (IFA) but the person representing us didn’t know everything as she wasn’t our Supervising Social Worker (SSW). Things were said which were

completely fabricated, and we were told that there will be some ‘soft information’ on our CRB to say this meeting was held. We don’t understand how people can have meetings about us, without us there, and with no proper representation... and we don’t have a ‘right to reply’! We phoned a legal helpline but they didn’t know anything about a soft option on a CRB, just a discretionary box. The only advice was to get a copy of our file and put in a complaint to the LA

and later if we want to the IFA. There are guidelines to protect SWs and rules to help support the parents... but as for foster carers? It

seems that people can say what they want and get away with it. The things said in the meeting and the

reasons to remove the children were mostly based on someone’s opinion and not on evidence or facts. While it makes us feel like giving up we don’t want this hanging over us. If we did give up we would want it to be our choice. Can you help? Mary*

Be prepared, be protectedDebra Gibbs, Fostering Support Ltd, answers your questions on allegations

“It seems that people can say

what they want”

*Name changed to protect identity

Dear Mary,I’m sorry to hear that you’re having such a difficult time.

Strategy meetingAlthough you feel that your agency

and the LA have been excluding you from meetings, the LADO meeting you refer to is never open to foster carers. This is sometimes called a strategy meeting and it is

hoped that in every case the agency representative would know you well. However, because of the three day timescale, sometimes the best that can be achieved is a well-briefed ...

Personal Summer 2012 foster families 5

Internet Safety Summer 2012 foster families 4


Not coping in education? Jenny Jones, Inspired Foundations, explains why and offers some strategies for supporting them

Attachment, trauma and education

A common problem experienced by children in foster care is their ability to cope within

education environments. There are many reasons for this and also many ways in which children can display their issues. There are also some key things that can be put in place to help these children, but the first of these has to be understanding. Unsettled startChildren who are in care will have undoubtedly experienced an unsettled start to their lives, often being moved around birth family members, or between different foster carers. Many have also experienced abuse and neglect. These events all lead to the child having a very

different view of the world compared to other children of the same age. Children who have experienced trauma and did not have their needs met will have an ‘internal working model’ which tells them: “I am bad and worthless, caregiver’s are untrustworthy and the world is dangerous.” It’s therefore understandable that they would find educational environments difficult to cope with. For a child who has experienced trauma, school may mean:• Being separated from their carer• Having contact with a range of different people with varying roles (lunchtime supervisors, teaching assistants, teachers, caretaker etc..)

• Being expected to know who these people are and how you should act around them• Always having to be on the look-out for danger• Trying to understand and manage friendships • Constantly worrying about food (will there be enough lunch left for me at dinner time?)• Trying to do work which may be too difficult• Receiving praise and rewards when inside they feel worthlessNot a priorityWhile the intentions of teachers and other professionals are often good, it’s a simple fact that learning is not a priority for these children....


Phot

o: S

cott

Gra

nnem

an

*Name changed to protect identity

Our adoption storyRita Mistry tells the long process of adopting a child she’d fostered from birth

When we had a mother

and baby placement three years ago we didn’t know that we would end up

adopting this beautiful child. Sadly the placement broke down with the mother failing to care for her baby. She left before she was asked to leave by Social Services (SS) and the baby remained with us. The mother put forward a name of who she thought the dad might be and we had to take Rufus* for a DNA test. We were told that the man was very excited about the prospect of being a dad but the DNA test came back negative. So the decision was made at the looked after child (LAC) review for Rufus to be put up for adoption.

At that point the Local Authority (LA) social worker for the child asked us if we would be interested in adopting him. To say I was gobsmacked was an understatement! It had crossed my mind that I would love to adopt him but I immediately put it out of my mind for several reasons - the most important one was that I was approaching my 60th birthday and did not think I would be accepted because of my age.

I immediately told the social worker that we would love to and was completely honest with her regarding my age. She told me that

should not be a problem. My husband and I talked it over together and also with our family. We both said that we would love to adopt Rufus but we were still unsure whether we would be accepted or not. The next step was to talk it over with my link worker. Unfortunately he

did not support our application - the main reason being my age. We were just about to go on holiday and he told us to think it over.So we went away for two weeks with Rufus in respite. While on holiday we missed him so much that we decided that when we got back we would approach a solicitor who deals with family law and see what the chances were of us being accepted. We were told that there should not be a problem as, although there was a negative on one side, there were many, many pluses on the ...

“I didn’t think I’d be accepted as I was

approaching 60”

Age is sometimes a barrier when considering adopting

Higher Education Summer 2012 foster families 7


Terri Sandison shares how children in care blossom at ‘Spring School’

Early learning

In April 2012, 18 young people in the care of Hampshire County

Council’s Children’s Services were brought together for a residential experience at the University of Winchester. Aged between 13 and 18, the purpose of events such as these is to raise their awareness of higher education, support them in fulfilling their ambitions and give them belief in their own abilities. As one participant said: “Some people don’t think we

GWEITHIO GYDA MYFYRWYR SY’N GADAEL GOFAL -EIN HYMRODDIAD NI I’CH DYFODOL CHIEr mwyn cael cymorth a chyngor cyn i chi gyrraedd (mewn Dyddiau Agored, dyddiau ymweld, etc.), drwy’r broses ymgeisio, ac wrth i chi gyrraedd, astudio, ac ymlaen i’ch graddio, cysylltwch â DEBRA CROFT yn y Ganolfan Ehangu CyfranogiadE-bost: [email protected] Ffôn: 01970 622681,neu Tecst: 07968 77 55 23

CYDNABYDDIR ANSAWDD EIN CYMORTH GAN BUTTLE UK, GAN GYNNWYS

Cymorth ariannol penodol drwy’r Bwrsariaeth Gadawyr Gofal (£1800, amodau cymhwyso)Sicrwydd o lety i’r holl israddedigion yn y �wyddyn gyntaf a help i gael llety addas i’r gwyliau‘Pecyn Croeso’ o bethau hanfodol, os bydd angen

WORKING WITH STUDENTS FROM CARE- OUR COMMITMENT TO YOUR FUTUREFor help and advice before arrival (at Open Days, visitingdays, etc.), through the application process, arrival, progression, and on to graduation, contact DEBRA CROFT in the Centre for Widening Participation E-mail: [email protected] Tel: 01970 622681,or Txt: 07968 77 55 23

A QUALITY MARKED SUPPORT SCHEME RECOGNISED BY BUTTLE UK, INCLUDING

Targeted �nancial support through the Care-leaver Bursary (£1800, conditions apply)Guaranteed accommodation for all �rst year undergraduates and help to secure suitable vacation accommodation on an ongoing basisProvision of a ‘Welcome Pack’ of essentials if needed

www.aber.ac.uk/wpsi

Support for care leavers at Winchester

Benefits include:

“The University of Winchester has been very supportive. If it wasn’t for the staff at the University – I would never have had the confidence to apply. The level of support received is fantastic and it’s given me confidence to know that I have such an excellent support network behind me.”

Leanne Hart

Find out more:Terri Sandison T: 01962 827225 E: [email protected]

www.winchester.ac.uk

aspire to higher education, but we don’t want to be another statistic.” The three day programme organised by the University included a range of arts workshops which involved the young people in making a radio podcast, recording a television news broadcast, creative writing, drama and producing special effects. As one group of young people explained:

“The programme involved new skills - I have never had the opportunity that the University has been able to offer me and it’s been amazing to experience. We had

an overview of media roles, including a variety of things

from planning ...




support for care leaverssupport for

at

Call 020 8331 8586 or visit gre.ac.uk/careleavers

� A dedicated team offering ongoing support and mentoring throughout your degree programme

� Financial support, such as help towards the cost of Open Day visits and a bursary of £1,000 a year, subject to conditions

� Support in fi nding a job after graduation

“Projects like this help to break down

stereotypes”

SUPPORT FOR CARE LEAVERSThe Scheme offers:• A £1500 bursary per progressive year*• A single point of contact at the University for information,

advice and guidance• Advice on accommodation, student funding and student services• Funding for year abroad and overseas placements• Course preparation activities• Pre-entry welcome day• Exclusive access to employability advice and guidance and email

alerts to extra-curricular employment and experience schemes.

*Conditions apply

To find out more information visit www.kingston.ac.uk/compactor contact us on [email protected] telephone 020 8417 3233 X(12.103)A

The programme has a positive impact on educational progress

Set an example Our children need us to help manage their stress and to find ways to reduce it. One of the best ways we can help do this is by modelling healthy and effective coping strategies ourselves. Taking regular time out is number one on the list. Making use of supervision anddemanding the training to equip us

to do our jobs are numbers two and three.

1Provision of respite care offers a formal recognition of the need for planned

and regular breaks throughout the fostering career. There is no point in using it only when we are exhausted. It is a preventative safety measure, not a treatment for burn out. So let’s use our respite and enjoy our special time to look after ourselves and our precious burdens. Start today. Book a break now.

2Supervision is our time to reflect on what our fostering is doing to us. We can choose

to bombard our supervisors with chapter and verse of what the child

did or said that was so typical of his attitude and reinforces our perceptions ...

Jonquil Mitchell gives her top tips on the need for time out

Taking a break

More about JonquilJonquil Mitchell is a Senior Social Work Practitioner at Cabrini Children’s Society

Phot

o: I

sa C

osta


Teenagers Summer 2012 foster families 8

Fostering is full of tricky situations, whatever the age of the child you foster!

My experience is with fostering teenagers, and I learnt that every teenager is different... although there are of course similarities. Challenging behaviours ranged from verbal abuse, swearing, lying and stealing to undermining, taunting and threatening. Teenagers can have toddler tantrums one minute and go binge drinking the next. Life is unpredictable with teenagers, until you get to know them. And that is the heart of the matter: get to know them and accept them for who they are.

Needing acceptance When I think of one teenage

girl I fostered, I see so many contradictions. Often she verbally attacked me and yet she also desperately wanted acceptance and love. She had experienced rejection all her life from family, foster carers and social workers because she cleverly and regularly brought everything to a crisis point. She wanted to go out and see her friends, but she didn’t want me to go out and see mine. At first, that seemed so unfair, but when I understood about her insecure attachment, I didn’t stress about it. On one occasion, she said to me: “So aren’t you going to chuck me out now?” I replied: “No, I don’t play that game.” Now in her twenties, we talk about

what a turning point that was for her.

Running awayWhy do fostered teenagers run away? There are many reasons why the young person in your care may run away: could they be looking for someone or something, avoiding someone or something, wanting a reaction or to take control? One teenager in my care regularly ran away, sometimes miles. One Sunday evening she failed to return on the last bus. I left messages on her mobile and then reported her missing. On Monday, her social worker criticised me for contacting the police because she went missing so often. However, she had a protection ...

Tricky situationsShân Dobinson, foster carer, shares her tips on understanding teenagers

Spending time together on holiday can be fun, relaxing and a great way of getting to

know the ‘real’ person that you care for. But when they get to a certain age, some teens resent spending so much time with younger siblings and ‘boring’ adults. They may have already voiced that they don’t want to leave their friends and spend a full week or two with just the foster family. If you’re concerned about the prospect of taking a stroppy teen on holiday, you’re probably not alone! Members of women’s online travel community Thelma & Louise have

been sharing their top tips on the best ways to travel without a teenage tantrum in sight.Thelma & Louise member Deborah Klaassen says: “I suggest starting the holiday off on the right foot with generosity and kindness. Make sure teens don’t get bored by bringing games, magazines and other things that they might find interesting.

“If they start to act up, try to understand what they’re going ...

Taking a teenager on holiday this summer?Check out these tips for avoiding a teen tantrum and having fun as a family instead

Encourage them to make friends if possible

Photo: Stewart Black



Teenagers Summer 2012 foster families 8

Encourage them to make friends if possible

I’m a foster carer. Do I need tothink about tax?

Specialist Tax Advice for Foster Carers A N D R E W C R O W E

ac

Yes. As a foster carer, you are treated as self-employed and shouldbe registered as such with H M Revenue & Customs. You may alsoneed to file an annual tax return and pay income tax and NationalInsurance contributions.

We will:

Register your self-employment

Provide a financial review to identify potential tax savings

Prepare your income statement and self assessment tax return

Advise on any correspondence received from the tax authorities Tel: 0121 445 0459

Unlimited email and telephone support Web: www.andrewcrowe.co.uk

All of this for just £150.

A C C O U N T S | B U S I N E S S | T A XRegistered with the Association of Taxation Technicians as a practising member

Email: [email protected] you to get on with the amazing job that you do!

Please call for more information.

Support Summer 2012 foster families 11

Is your knowledge valued?Sarah Knapp, CIS Assessment, shares how you can avoid repeating training

Our assessments quickly and easily evidence knowledge against training standards enabling you to concentrate only on learning to meet the gaps in your knowledge.

• Measure and evidence your knowledge • Demonstrate where you don’t need training • Identify what your learning needs are • Focus your time on your learning needs • Make sure you get the most from training • Fast track through training standards

CIS Assessment SAVE TIME AND MONEY

Is your knowledge being valued or are you repeating training? CIS-‐Assessment.co.uk

Customer Testimony This programme is excellent

The simplicity of the assessments and the way it has been designed really does make it incredibly

user friendly

info@CIS-‐Assessment.co.uk 0845 873 0373

Have you taken time out of your busy life to attend training only to find you already know

all or most of the course content? Find out how you can avoid wasting time repeating training:

1Check the

‘learning outcomes’ for training courses and who the target audience is. Use this information to ascertain if the course is right for you.

2 Speak personally to the trainer Discuss the learning

outcomes versus your level of knowledge to find out what you will gain from attending the course.

3Consider what you already know, what the gaps are in your

knowledge and prioritise what you need to learn.

4Understand your learning style Could you learn through

internet research, discussion with others, e-learning or reading? Some learning methods enable you to choose what and when you learn and could cost less.

5Do you already have sufficient knowledge?

How will you evidence this and convince people

that you are already sufficiently knowledgeable in a subject? Evidence could be through discussion, an assessment, or observing practice. All of these can be documented in writing, voice recorded or on video.

6Set yourself some learning targets making sure you focus

the time you set aside for learning on your identified priorities.

7Consider getting together with a group of people

with varying expertise to share information and learn from each other. You can learn by sharing

experiences, testing out ideas and considering other people’s views. Training courses can also provide these opportunities but prior group discussion could facilitate agreeing a list of learning needs and by sharing these with trainers, course learning outcomes can focus more on identified learning needs.

8Feedback to trainers and organisers if you attend

training and didn’t learn anything new to reduce the likelihood of this happening to someone else.

“Time is precious, use it wisely”

For more info about online assessments that measure and evidence knowledge against training standards like CWDC, Safeguarding Children, Autism and others, contact: [email protected] 0845 873 0373

Download or order the full magazine from http://fosterfamilies.co.uk/download.html

Support Summer 2012 foster families 11

School and nappies don’t mixAlison Love explains why nappies could be to blame for children not being potty trained

The number of

accidents, such as children wetting or soiling themselves during the school day, has increased over the past

five years*.There are a number of factors contributing to this rise, but Judith Hough and Diane Titterton, creators of Dry Like Me, lay much of the blame on the nappy-style toilet training pants that parents are using. Their research shows that there has been a steady increase in the age at which children become toilet trained. Back in the 1960s the average age was two, and it has been rising since

then – coinciding with the introduction of the disposable nappy in 1961. In recent years there has also been an increase in the number of children using nappy-style training pants and the average age at which children become dry is now around three or three and a half.Judith says: “Parents are being encouraged to use nappy-style training pants when they move their child out of nappies, but these are really just nappies by another name. They are so absorbent and comfortable that there is little incentive for the children to get

dry and stop wearing them – they actually do their job too well.”After experiencing their own potty training difficulties and doing extensive research with parents and children, Judith and Diane ...

*According to 71% of primary school staff working with three to five year olds in a recent study

How we got on: Nic tried Dry Like Me pads while potty training her three year old. She says: “They’re great for giving kids extra confidence in the transition from nappies to pants. Especially good for going out and about where there may not be a toilet close-by or for travelling long distances.”

Win a box of Dry Like MeWe have 10 boxes to give away! To enter the competition, answer this simple question: Over the last five years, the number of wetting and soiling accidents at school has...?a) Increasedb) DecreasedSend your answer, along with your name and address to [email protected] with the subject line ‘Dry Like Me’. The first ten correct answers drawn on July 20th 2012 will win.

Win!


First, thank you for getting in touch. I was pleased to see that you ‘hate labels’. That is a useful

basis on which to start. You mention that the little boy you look after (let’s call him Bradley*), has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). I assume that Bradley has received such a diagnosis from a psychiatrist or paediatrician. Also, you mention oppositional defiant disorder (ODD). I will deal broadly with the typical behaviours that tend to fall within such labels.The labelsWhen low concentration, impulsivity

and high physical activity begins to affect a child’s home and school life adversely, these behaviours are often reported to a psychiatrist or paediatrician. Consequently, these behaviours become labelled as ADHD and then accepted as a medical condition. Some medics believe that this is a neuro-developmental disorder requiring stimulant medication as treatment. Indeed, this is a very powerful and dominant viewpoint. However, there is increasing concern and debate about the validity of such diagnoses. Some practitioners perceive ADHD

as a culturally constructed condition. In other words, that it is a pattern of behaviour rather than a medical condition. Those practitioners argue such behaviour requires strategies to support the child’s development manage the ...

Helen Mason is an Educational & Child Psychologist and Expert Witness, chartered with the British Psychological Society and registered as a practitioner psychologist with the Health Professions Council. Her expertise focuses on looked after children (LAC) and young people. She practices independently at LAC Psychologists (www.lacp.co.uk)

Ask our psychologist

If you’re concerned about the behaviour or development of the child in your care, why not ask our psychologist? Email Helen at [email protected]. All questions are treated in strict confidence.

Challenging behaviours

Q: Hello Helen, I have had a placement for nearly seven months now - a boy aged 10 with ADHD. He is our first placement and has kindly provided us with some of the most challenging behaviours I have encountered. However, of late his behaviour is concurrent with ODD which is becoming unmanagable. I know the two are linked, and I hate labels, but this is putting a lot of stress on the placement. Any tips or ideas on how to deal with this? Nathan*


Food and Health Summer 2012 foster families 13


An award-winning documentaries company is making a film about

young foster carers in Britain aged 18-28. This will explore what the experience is like, celebrate the young people who are doing an outstanding job and encourage more young people to step forward to help address the foster family shortfall in the UK. If you’d like to find out more or know someone who might be interested, please call Mel on 020 7428 3176 for a confidential chat or email [email protected] – you will be under no obligation to take part, it would just be helpful for research.

Young foster carers needed!

visit fostercareworld.com today

Talk to other carers online

Join Fostercare World free and join in the

conversation with people who understand

first hand.

Photo: Charlotte.Morrall

W. e are what we eat is a well-known phrase, meaning that the food we eat is

absorbed by our bodies and therefore becomes part of us. Food is essential for cell growth and repair, our development and general health. However, it is not only our bodies and our physical health that are at the mercy of what we eat, but also our brains and central nervous system. There is now a wealth of scientific evidence to show that children’s (and adults’) behaviour is greatly affected by diet. Food additives and behaviourChemicals, known as E numbers, are added to processed food and drink, to make it attractive, palatable, and to preserve shelf life. All European countries must list food additives, including E numbers, on the food package, and while many additives are not harmful others have been shown to cause side effects, especially in children who are more vulnerable. Here are a few examples*: Sunset yellow (E110) can cause or aggravate Attention Deficit and

Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). It is used in orange squash, orange jelly, marzipan, Swiss roll, apricot jam, citrus marmalade, lemon curd, sweets, hot chocolate mix, packet soups, breadcrumbs, cheese sauce, ice cream, canned fish and many medications. Allowed in the UK, but

banned in Norway and Finland.Quinoline yellow (E104) has been linked to ADHD, restlessness and irritability. Found in ices, Scotch eggs, smoked haddock, hair products, colognes and a wide range of medications. Allowed in the UK, but banned in Australia, Japan, Norway...

Cathy’s Column Best-selling author and foster carer Cathy Glass explains how diet can effect behaviour





Chris’s Cookery Classes In each issue, cookery expert Chris Graham shares some top tips and a new method for baking and cooking with the child or young person in your care. You can cut out and collect these tasty recipes.

PastaPasta is a good source of energy, often used by athletes and dancers to keep up their strength. Pasta comes in a variety of shapes and sizes - different shapes work best with different sauces. It doesn’t have much flavour, so takes up the flavour of what’s with it - this means it can also work well as a pudding!

CookingWhen cooking pasta, you will need masses of water - about two litres in a big pan. Make sure little kids know not to touch or grab the pan – keep the handle to the side, not over the edge. You will know when the pasta is cooked when it is still a little chewy, and not too hard, but not too soft.

Ideal for care leaversThe recipes I’ve prepared are great basic meals for older kids and teens who are learning to cook for themselves or for those going off to university. If the young person in your care is at the age where they will soon be leaving care and living

independently, try these dishes with them and show them that healthy meals are easy to prepare.

Experiment with kidsKids love to play and experiment with weird ideas, so the Philippino pudding is ideal. I had my doubts when asked to try it by my Philippino friend, but I loved it and kept the recipe. It’s very yummy and fresh. Let us know what you think!

Video tips onlineFor more tips and advice, make sure you visit www.fosterfamilies.co.uk/cookery.html. Here you can see me demonstrate the different techniques talked about in these recipes.

Chris Graham shares some easy pasta recipes - great if the young person in your care is moving on

Cooking tips for care leavers Meet the Chef

Chris Graham is a qualified nurse and teacher of cookery, nutrition, life skills and parenting.

When cooking with your foster children, we recommend I Can Cook’s fabulous range for kids.Inspired by the CBeebies show, Lakeland have created

a whole host of kitchenware pieces for little hands to get to grips with, that adults will find just as useful too. Available in a range of fun, bright colours there are whisks, a rotary grater with measuring jug, spatulas, bowls and baking mats. And to compliment the range, the I Can Cook book, published by

Hamlyn, is packed full of recipes from the TV series for young chefs to try.The new range is available in store, online and in Lakeland catalogues.

ReviewThe products in this range are bright and fun, yet also very sturdy. They’ve brightened up my kitchen and make it much easier for kids to help out with the dinner. You don’t need to worry about little fingers getting trapped or cut as it’s all designed for kids to use safely.

Kids can cook tooA fun range kids can use safely in the kitchen

ReviewThe lunch boxes clip shut very securely so you don’t have to worry about your food falling out. You can separate your meal into different compartments, meaning your carrot sticks are safe from sandwich crumbs!

If you’re looking for a handy lunch box for holiday picnics, try Sistema’s range of Klip It boxes. You’ll find the different sizes suit the different members of your foster family.The range also includes airtight storage boxes which are great for tidying

up your cupboards. As well as this they have a new microwave range that includes a soup-to-go mug with a pressure release vent for splatter free heating - there’ll be no more spills in the microwave or burning fingers on clingfilm! You can easily steam food in the tupperware boxes in your

microwave keeping all the goodness in food that you would loose from boiling. The tupperware boxes are also freezer and dish washer friendly.

Take it with you



Find us:

Competitions Summer 2012 foster families 15

Summer 2012 foster families 14

Download or order the full magazine from http://fosterfamilies.co.uk/download.html Find us:

Competition Winners! Congratulations to:

Nicki Bewell for winning the Gruffalo’s Child on DVD, Ruth Jones for winning the Magic Blackout Blind and ‘Diary of a Sleep Deprived Mum’ book,

Di Dilly for winning the KidCam, and Cari Randall, Linda Taylor, Sue Hill, Cheryl Catherwood and

Leyton Anderson for winning the ‘Sir Scallywag and the Golden Underpants’ book - all in our Spring 2012 issue.

Look out for this issue’s competitions on pages 29, 37 and 39.

This is a fantastic book for birth children whose families are starting

the fostering process. Fostering can be a huge change in your child’s life, and they may have many questions about what will happen. The book is easy to understand and gives answers to those big questions. New words are highlighted in red, making it easy for children to learn new terms and get on board with the fostering lingo. It explains what fostering is, the different types of fostering, and gives interesting

information about how many children are in foster care and celebrities that have been fostered. It also prompts your child with questions about how they may feel when foster children do certain things. This is great for preparing birth children to think about different scenarios, helping to make the whole process fun rather than scary or daunting. If fostering is a new step for your family, I would recommend reading this book with your birth children to help prepare them for all to come.

Spring 2012 foster families 12Spring 2012 foster families

Reviews

Win The Gruffalo’s Child on DVD!

WIN!

Where are my brothers and sisters?, by Hedi Argent (BAAF) £3.95 ISBN: 978 1 907585 357

Being a foster family, by Hedi Argent (BAAF) £3.95 ISBN: 978 1 907585 401

Win a fantastic gift set from Quack

Julia Donaldson’s The Gruffalo’s Child is brought to you by Entertainment One.

Cert: C/GRunning Time: 25 minsDVD RRP: £12.99 Blu-ray RRP: £15.99 What did we think?

Find out how to win The Gruffalo’s Child on DVDTo enter, answer this simple question: Who wrote The Gruffalo’s Child?a) Roald Dahlb) Julia DonaldsonSend your answer, along with your name and address to [email protected] with the subject line ‘Gruffalo’. The first correct answer drawn on April 30th 2012 will win.

This is a great book for children going into foster care, or who have recently

been placed in a foster family. Hedi highlights new words in red, explaining what these terms mean and helping the children to understand what it is adults are talking about to them. Using Billy as an example, Hedi explains that some siblings have different fathers, and in some families not all the children will go into foster care but some will. Some siblings will be very close, while others

could be strangers - and it’s ok to feel shy around them. Different types of brothers and sisters are explained, and the ways they may be able to keep in contact. She also tells what type of people may be looking after their siblings - grandparents, foster carers, step-parents and others. This is a helpful guide for preparing children to think about who their family consists of and to feel ‘ok’ that all families are different.

For birth

children!

For kids going

into care!

is a unique, web-based service designed and supported by fostering social workers to encourage people to apply to become foster carers. Simply Fostering provides free foster carer advice on a daily basis, as well as comprehensive information about

fostering and how to become a foster carer. Visit www.simplyfostering.co.uk for more information and advice.

Kids Corner!

Two to win!Now’s your chance to win this fab First Slide!

E I D S L_ _ _ _ _

G W S I S N _ _ _ _ _ _

L O P E_ _ _ _

Letter Corner

The letters (right) spell out three things you may play on at a park.Can you work out what they are? Send the answers, along with your

name and address, to [email protected] with the subject line ‘Little Tikes’ for your chance to win our prize!

Enter here to win! For your chance to win a Little Tikes First Slide, answer the Letter Corner competition below. The closing date is July 20th 2012 and the first two correct entries drawn on that date will win.

ReviewWe tried the slide, and here’s what Lynn, a carer to two little ones, thought: ”It was very easy to assemble - it came in just a few chunky pieces which took a couple of minutes to click in place. It’s great value for money - good quality and slightly older children can easily enjoy playing on it too.”

COMPETITION

What carers might want to

knowDesigned for ages 18 months to four years

and has a RRP of £29.99.

If the little one in your care loves playing at the park, you can bring the fun of the slide to your home or garden. The Little

Tikes First Slide gives toddlers the chance to get active and adventurous all year round.The slide is extra stable and has high hand rails, so ‘beginners’ will find it easy and comfortable to navigate.Minimal assembly is needed and the slide can be easily stored away. You can choose from two fun colourways – pink/purple or blue/green. For stockist details, call Little Tikes on 01908 268480 or visit www.littletikes.co.uk.

Competitions Summer 2012 foster families 15

Summer 2012 foster families 14

Download or order the full magazine from http://fosterfamilies.co.uk/download.html Find us:

COMPETITION

For your chance to win, use the questions, below, to fill out the crossword. The coloured squares are an anagram of a word linked to theBabaSling®.

Once you’ve worked that out, email your answer to [email protected] with the subject line ‘theBabaSling’, or post it to: Competitions, 39 Livingstone Street, Worcester, WR5 2ES. Don’t forget to include your name and address. The competition closes on July 20th 2012 and the first two correct entries drawn on this date will win the prize.

Win

Foster Families has teamed up with BabaSlings Ltd to offer two readers the chance

to win theBabaSling®. An ideal companion for all foster carers, it makes going out easy - it can be adjusted to any member of the family in seconds, and means you can leave the stroller at home. What’s more, theBabaSling® is made from 100% cotton, is machine washable, and comes with a

lifetime quality guarantee!

Recommended by midwives, healthcare professional and osteopaths, theBabaSling® has been carefully designed to support your newborn’s developing spine through to two years (15kg). The unique buckling system also allows you to simply unclip the carrier without disturbing your sleeping baby. theBabaSling® retails from £39.99 and is available in a choice of 15 stylish colours. For more information visit www.thebabasling.com.

The versatile baby carrier that keeps baby close and safe - two to win!

Your chance to win thebabasling®!

Across1. Landscape view (8)5. Old word for photo (8)10. Mr. Beckham’s wife (8)11. Place to hang clothes (8)

Down1. Shove (4)2. Not far (4)3. Fragrant flower (4)4. In the night sky (4)6. You’ll need this to enter some countries (4)7. Horse for breeding, or a nail head (4)8. Group of three (4)9. Luggage for carrying clothes (4)

Review“It’s easy to switch to a different position

when out and about, you just slide the baby in and make sure you’re both comfortable.

The sling comes in a slimline carrycase - small enough to put in your bag.

The material is comfy for baby while supportive for you - my baby has certain

positions she prefers. It’s great as she can snuggle in really close when she wants to.”

7. Free initial consultation - Come along and judge for yourself!

Seven great reasons to choose Explore Learning...& help children in your care love learning!

1. Supporting their work at schoolWe work extensively with local schools and all our courses are mapped to the National Curriculum. This means that we can support each child, every step of the way from foundation to secondary.

2. An individual plan for each childAt Explore Learning we cater for children of all abilities - stretching and challenging whilst supporting and nurturing. Each child will work at their own pace and to a personalised plan that can cover all elements of maths and English, ranging from handwriting, spelling and poetry to telling the time and fractions.

3. Flexible membershipExplore Learning centres can be found throughout the UK and are open 7 days a week all year round meaning children get consistent support throughout term-time and holidays. Once members, children can attend the Explore Learning centre twice a week without booking or calling in advance.

4. In partnership with carersTutors work in partnership with carers and children, allowing families to come in to discuss each child’s progress throughout and tailor their individual concerns to their tuition curriculum.

5. Fun and friendly environmentOur centre is a fun and friendly place where children make great progress, meet new friends and enjoy learning!

6. Use your Personal Education Allowance!Explore Learning is Ofsted registered and so you can use your personal education allowance to pay for membership.

Maths & English tuition

Visit our website to find your nearest centre:

www.explorelearning.co.uk

Foster Families Full Page.indd 1 23/04/2012 14:20

summer 2012 online - foster families magazine

Documents

foster kids

foster families magazine

foster carers

foster families onlinewhat

foster carer series

kids corner

family holiday

supporting kids