Blog – Preparation for Leaving Care?
I’m not a great fan of labels. In fact, I am possibly diametrically opposed to them, for the restrictions that they can place on the individuality of people, especially people who may experience social oppression and systematic stereotyping, such as our children and young people who are looked after. Today, my position is in jeopardy as I consider all of the young people who are about to leave the care system and who though in age are ‘ready’ (yet, are many of us really ready at that age?), do not have the emotional capacity to manage the transition. I’m talking about the young people who may be expected to move from the containment of their ‘specialist’ school to an FE college. I’m also talking about the young people who have not been formally assessed (and won’t be) for dyslexia but are showing clear signs that they are. Then there’s the young person approaching the age where they are expected to be able to budget and navigate public transport but this is in no way feasible for them because they are demonstrating signs of Aspergers syndrome.
None of these young people have formal labels and hence, none of them are receiving additional support or considerations that they do not and will not fit or meet the criteria for a smooth transition into independence. In the absence of a label, there is of course the tacit knowledge of the foster carer, who may have the insight into the specific needs of a young person but without the label are not supported by the system to source what is needed to meet these needs.
So no, I’m not a fan of labels but I am considerably more opposed to young people not receiving the support they truly need, to be who they truly are and who they can be, in society. Surely this is the true intention behind ‘preparation for independence’?
Joanna Oliver
Strategic Development Executive
Wednesday, 2 May 2012
Thursday, 16 February 2012
FC Comments
Really enjoyed all training I have done with Chrysalis so far this year.
All courses although vastly different have been not only enjoyable
but very good for future practice.
FosterCarer Nov 11
All courses although vastly different have been not only enjoyable
but very good for future practice.
FosterCarer Nov 11
Tuesday, 14 February 2012
I’m not like Tracy Beaker!
Congratulations to Young Minds for their research with looked after young people. I was privileged to attend the seminar with my social work colleague, Katy, held at the South Bank Centre last night and it has left an indelible imprint upon me – Ian Dixon, said it is almost palpable today – I can’t stop raving about the event.
In a climate where we are encouraged more and more to centralise children’s voices, this event made no apologies for doing just that…from South Bank’s artist in residence, Lemn Sissay’s impassioned words about the ‘superhero-like’ skills and capabilities of children who are looked after and his fantastic autobiographic poetry, through to the ‘letter to a corporate parent’, a culmination of words from looked after young people in Worcestershire, read out by Jenny Clifton from the Office of the Children’s Commissioner.
Charlotte Levene from Young Minds delivered the ‘findings’ of her work with young people; the content was compelling and the delivery was respectful of the creative input of young people and alongside Beattie’s eloquent and imaginative conveyance of the work contributed by young people to the ‘Flourish’ project, this made for a powerful, emotive, timely and inspiring event.
It was great to hear from Sarah Brennan, who reminded me that ‘passion’ for work with young people is an inherent thread that permeates the hierarchical structure, an important message in current times when eyes are on efficiency savings. Inevitably, we at Chrysalis Care will continue to keep our eyes on ways of doing ‘more for less’ but our ears?....well they are firmly tuned into the voices of young people.
Joanna Oliver
Strategic Development Executive.
In a climate where we are encouraged more and more to centralise children’s voices, this event made no apologies for doing just that…from South Bank’s artist in residence, Lemn Sissay’s impassioned words about the ‘superhero-like’ skills and capabilities of children who are looked after and his fantastic autobiographic poetry, through to the ‘letter to a corporate parent’, a culmination of words from looked after young people in Worcestershire, read out by Jenny Clifton from the Office of the Children’s Commissioner.
Charlotte Levene from Young Minds delivered the ‘findings’ of her work with young people; the content was compelling and the delivery was respectful of the creative input of young people and alongside Beattie’s eloquent and imaginative conveyance of the work contributed by young people to the ‘Flourish’ project, this made for a powerful, emotive, timely and inspiring event.
It was great to hear from Sarah Brennan, who reminded me that ‘passion’ for work with young people is an inherent thread that permeates the hierarchical structure, an important message in current times when eyes are on efficiency savings. Inevitably, we at Chrysalis Care will continue to keep our eyes on ways of doing ‘more for less’ but our ears?....well they are firmly tuned into the voices of young people.
Joanna Oliver
Strategic Development Executive.
Tuesday, 31 January 2012
Our Foster Carer
One of our foster carers, Avril Head has fostered 140 children over 30 years and is featured in the Times newspaper (January 24th 2012). Visit the article for more: http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/public/sitesearch.do?querystring=Avril+head&p=tto&pf=all&bl=on
Thursday, 26 January 2012
No Ceiling to Hope? – Working for a Better Society
Today, I have read two news items that have struck a chord – firstly, the XLP Annual Report (http://www.xlp.org.uk/) and I also downloaded the sample chapter from Patrick Regan’s latest book: ‘No ceiling to hope’. The work of XLP is inspiring and I look forward to attending their open day on 1st March 2012. They produce some t-shirts – must get one – with slogans such as: ‘I refuse to believe this is a lost generation’. As someone committed to enrichment and a believer that there truly is no celing – it IS possible for young people (or anyone, whatever age) to turn themselves around and with the right support and guidance and environment, to make better choices, for their own lives, for their community and for a better society.
The other news item was a link sent to me by my colleague, Julie Collins, which was from the CEO of the NSPCC, Andrew Flanagan (http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/andrew-flanagan/child-protection-we-need-a-rethink_b_1176853.html). Again, Andrew is clearly passionate about the protection of children and in the commitment of us all: “It's not just a 'Big Society' but a 'Better Society'; a society that does not look to others to act, but is willing to act themselves.” Hear, hear - our social responsibility is absolutely key to making the changes that policy and legislation clearly cannot.
This is a bitter sweet blog…Andrew promotes that dwindling resources now be redirected to the priority of younger children but what about all of those young people who surely cannot be considered the lost generation (?): Is the choice that crude? This is not a criticism of the latter news story (a blog worth airing in my view) but it does bring to the forefront the complexity of the struggle.
Yes, babies and young children need to be protected and nurtured. Yes, parents and families need to be supported and empowered. Yes, young people need to be provided with supportive and inspiring environments to flourish and make good -no great – choices.
At Chrysalis Care, we believe in children – a child is a child until they are eighteen years old – please let us never forget this. There are other agencies that do fantastic work with adults, confirming the ‘hope has no ceiling’ mantra. It is imperative that we do not give up on hope for better – if we believe, we can achieve.
Joanna Oliver, Strategic Development Executive
The other news item was a link sent to me by my colleague, Julie Collins, which was from the CEO of the NSPCC, Andrew Flanagan (http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/andrew-flanagan/child-protection-we-need-a-rethink_b_1176853.html). Again, Andrew is clearly passionate about the protection of children and in the commitment of us all: “It's not just a 'Big Society' but a 'Better Society'; a society that does not look to others to act, but is willing to act themselves.” Hear, hear - our social responsibility is absolutely key to making the changes that policy and legislation clearly cannot.
This is a bitter sweet blog…Andrew promotes that dwindling resources now be redirected to the priority of younger children but what about all of those young people who surely cannot be considered the lost generation (?): Is the choice that crude? This is not a criticism of the latter news story (a blog worth airing in my view) but it does bring to the forefront the complexity of the struggle.
Yes, babies and young children need to be protected and nurtured. Yes, parents and families need to be supported and empowered. Yes, young people need to be provided with supportive and inspiring environments to flourish and make good -no great – choices.
At Chrysalis Care, we believe in children – a child is a child until they are eighteen years old – please let us never forget this. There are other agencies that do fantastic work with adults, confirming the ‘hope has no ceiling’ mantra. It is imperative that we do not give up on hope for better – if we believe, we can achieve.
Joanna Oliver, Strategic Development Executive
Tuesday, 24 January 2012
Chrysalis Care supports ‘Give a child a home’
Our Registered Manager, Ian Dixon, was recently invited to meet the Prime Minister and other Senior Ministers and Directors for a round table discussion about fostering and adoption. This event was on the national news albeit he didn't get into camera shot!
Ian said: “This was a proud event for Chrysalis Care and demonstrates that (as fostering providers), we DO have a bigger, as in the Bigger arena on how we shape fostering in the future. It was a short meeting but nonetheless, good for us at Chrysalis Care and I hope the discussion helped the Prime Minister have a better understanding of how we all work together.”
At Chrysalis Care, we are committed to contributing to improving the services that children and young people receive, so that they can have the positive life experiences that all children should enjoy. We are extremely pleased that fostering and adoption is receiving the attention that it is and valued being invited to be a part of this event.
visit: http://www.giveachildahome.co.uk/
Ian Dixon/Joanna Oliver
Ian said: “This was a proud event for Chrysalis Care and demonstrates that (as fostering providers), we DO have a bigger, as in the Bigger arena on how we shape fostering in the future. It was a short meeting but nonetheless, good for us at Chrysalis Care and I hope the discussion helped the Prime Minister have a better understanding of how we all work together.”
At Chrysalis Care, we are committed to contributing to improving the services that children and young people receive, so that they can have the positive life experiences that all children should enjoy. We are extremely pleased that fostering and adoption is receiving the attention that it is and valued being invited to be a part of this event.
visit: http://www.giveachildahome.co.uk/
Ian Dixon/Joanna Oliver
Thursday, 19 January 2012
Crisis looms for foster care in 2012
At least 8,750 new foster families need to be found across the UK in the next 12 months to avoid a crisis in foster care in 2012, the Fostering Network has warned today (20 December).
The new figures show the scale of the challenge for fostering services as they struggle to provide the right foster homes for all the children who need them.
The number of children in care who need foster homes has risen for five years in a row, and is continuing to rise. There is also an ageing foster carer population and around 14 per cent of the workforce retire or leave every year.
Without these extra families, too many children will have to settle for second best. This might mean living with a foster carer who is a long way from the child’s home, school and family, or who does not have space for their brothers and sisters, or even living in residential care when fostering has been identified as the right option.
Robert Tapsfield, chief executive of the Fostering Network, said: “These figures are alarming – we could be facing a real crisis when looking to provide the most appropriate care for children who cannot live with their own family.
“All children in care need a family they can grow up with who can love them, be ambitious for them and help them achieve their potential. For a growing number, foster care is the best option.
“By becoming a foster carer people can help the children they welcome into their homes to have the best possible opportunity of a positive future, do well at school and be successful in later life."
An extra 7,100 foster carers are needed in England, 1,000 in Scotland, 550 in Wales and 100 in Northern Ireland.
The new figures show the scale of the challenge for fostering services as they struggle to provide the right foster homes for all the children who need them.
The number of children in care who need foster homes has risen for five years in a row, and is continuing to rise. There is also an ageing foster carer population and around 14 per cent of the workforce retire or leave every year.
Without these extra families, too many children will have to settle for second best. This might mean living with a foster carer who is a long way from the child’s home, school and family, or who does not have space for their brothers and sisters, or even living in residential care when fostering has been identified as the right option.
Robert Tapsfield, chief executive of the Fostering Network, said: “These figures are alarming – we could be facing a real crisis when looking to provide the most appropriate care for children who cannot live with their own family.
“All children in care need a family they can grow up with who can love them, be ambitious for them and help them achieve their potential. For a growing number, foster care is the best option.
“By becoming a foster carer people can help the children they welcome into their homes to have the best possible opportunity of a positive future, do well at school and be successful in later life."
An extra 7,100 foster carers are needed in England, 1,000 in Scotland, 550 in Wales and 100 in Northern Ireland.
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