The Fostering Network regularly run webinars and online events to highlight practice on a range of topics. These provide an opportunity to learn from and with each other, showcase creative approaches and collectively work to improve foster care. Below are a summary of some of the recent events, and accompanying resources that may be of interest to our members.
Please see below links and accompanying materials for recent online events.
For further information, please email [email protected]
Delivered by Jane Bowen, dyadic developmental psychotherapy practitioner. Jane specialises in providing attachment focused therapies including Theraplay and Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP), for children placed in adoption and their adopted parents.
The presentation focussed on PACE, a parenting model derived from DDP, for children who have experienced trauma and have difficulties developing secure attachments. Jane discussed how 'traditional parenting' based on reinforcing positive and negative, and consequence based, doesn't work for children who have had these experiences. The PACE model shows a way to become attuned to the child through Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity and Empathy.
During the webinar Jane talked through Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity and Empathy, describing each element, and discussing how to achieve this with children in practice, providing useful tips and tools.
The webinar included videos focusing on how to understand what's beneath a child's presenting behaviour, as well as videos looking at the importance of empathy, and 'connection before correction'.
While the recording is not available to view, please keep an eye on our events page for more sessions that may be of interest
Resources:
To join the ongoing discussion around DDP and PACE, organisation DDP Connects UK hold a range of free online special interest groups. Find more information here Event Types - DDP Network
Reaching Into the Hurt Child’s Mind and Heart with PACE: A conversation with Dr Dan Hughes, Dr Kim Golding and Edwina Grant. Reaching Into the Hurt Child’s Mind and Heart with PACE - DDP Network
(September 2023)
Delivered by Adrienne Katz, Director of Youthworks Consulting and consultant with Enable Pathway, this presentation is based on recent peer reviewed research showing how parenting style and attention to a child’s wellbeing can moderate the extent of online risk a child encounters.
It included a discussion about the parenting styles foster carers told Enable Pathway they use, and messages from young people in care about what they want their foster carer to know.
By reflecting on the views of foster carers and young people, and considering the research messages, we can explore what advice would be helpful to foster carers and those advising them.
To view the recording please click here and also the Young people's views on online safety video mentioned during the presentation.
What qualities would you rate as important? - word cloud created by attendees
Case study - feedback from attendees
See also:
(August 2023)
The Fostering Network welcomed attendees from across the UK to our webinar in July 2023. Speakers provided perspectives from education and fostering, as well as a focus on creating a therapeutic culture within services. The session included presentations from:
To view the recording please click here
Organisational DDP Certification:
Further information on DDP, resources & networking:
Link to free resources re education and supporting children from TCP therapy:
More information on PACE & parenting techniques
Free resources for working with trauma
Books discussed during the webinar:
In May 2023 The Fostering Network published timely research into the retention and recruitment of foster carers in England. The research aimed to explore how we can look to achieve a diverse and stable foster care workforce in England. This research was supported by the KPMG Foundation and was conducted by the Centre for Evidence and Implementation (CEI). This webinar presented the findings, and recommendations which include:
We also heard examples of practice initiatives in relation to retention and recruitment that are working well in Suffolk, Gwynedd and Wolverhampton.
To view the recording please click here
Also,
To find out more about the research, findings and recommendations please see here.
(May 2023)
The framework aims to ensure that all children in the care of a local authority in England receive a proportionate and timely response when they are not where they are expected to be; and that everything possible is done by all multi agency partners to reduce risk and harm, enable a child’s safe return and support each to child to prevent further missing occurrences.
Updated briefing: Officially launched on 25 May 2023, the framework includes updated sections on:
Link to recording of Chief Inspector Alan Rhees-Cooper, NPCC Lead for Missing People presenting on the framework (Feb, 2023)
Missing from Care presentation slides by Alan Rhees-Cooper Summary of reflections from participants Selection of training resources available on the webpages below:
(February 2023)
Led by the Anna Freud Centre the Reflective Fostering Study is an NIHR-fuded study to evaluate the effectiveness of the mentalization-based Reflective Fostering Programme.
The Fostering Network have worked alongside the Anna Freud Centre to share more about the study, a ten week programme, to hear from those already part of the study and encourage more foster carers to get involved in the recent April and September 2023 intakes. Open to approved foster or kinship carers in the UK who are currently caring for a child aged 4–13 and in particular the team would like to encourage more male carers, minoritised ethnic carers and kinship carers to join the study, to help ensure the study is inclusive and representative of the UK carer population and help better understand the support needs of all carers.
Link to recording from March 2023 webinar
Poster about the study (and how to join)
Also an online video for further information. Please contact [email protected] for further information about the study
(March, 2023)
Delivered by Adrienne Katz, an award-winning cyber bullying expert, Director of Youthworks Consulting and consultant with Enable Pathway, this webinar focused on the risk and refuge the digital world provides for young people.
The information presented by Adrienne is taken from a study of teens who have different vulnerabilities or adverse experiences, as well as peer reviewed academic research, and Youthworks reports for policy and practice. The webinar includes videos, data and statistics gathered from research, as well as recommendations for best practice.
During the webinar Adrienne highlighted that vulnerable young people ‘need and depend on the digital environment more than other young people’. However while they seek ‘refuge’ in the digital world, they also encounter risk and harm. Young people reported taking further risks online, feeling hopeless and becoming excessively focused on what others think after they had encountering harm online.
Adrienne shared key vulnerabilities and influences for 10-17 year olds, based on the research gathered, and also discussed how offline vulnerability can help indicate the likelihood of children encountering online risk. Key statistics gained from the research were also shared, outlining how different vulnerabilities including eating disorders, being care experienced, worrying about life at home and autism can all impact what type of content children are viewing online, and their online behaviours.
The webinar provides an abundance of tips and good practice guidance around supporting children online including encouraging talking about online life generally with children, using the digital passport and many more. Adrienne shared the research outcomes which showed that a supportive and engaging parenting style can moderate online risk. Young people provided examples of some parenting responses which they found unhelpful in supporting their online life. Lastly the webinar looked at gaps in practice, highlighting the importance of including information about children’s digital lives within referral information so foster carers can be prepared.
The recording of this webinar will be added here soon.
You may download the PowerPoint presentation from the webinar using the link provided.
See also:
(October 2023)
At this webinar we were joined by foster carer Ross Young, Sue Parsons from The Share Foundation, Blanca Gonzalez from TACT, Rasheeda White from Become and Stephanie Decker from London Borough of Tower Hamlets.
This Long Term Savings webinar purpose is to outline the key issues and examine the implications for foster care, and provide best practice for fostering services.
It is required and expected that savings are made for children who are cared for. Concerns have been expressed across the sector over many years about the variations in sectoral practice in relation to savings. It was noted that some children are not having any savings made for them, savings ‘going missing ‘or being ‘mismanaged’ and also the inequity in the amount of savings children in similar circumstances accrue.
View the recording for this webinar.
You may download the PowerPoint presentations and other resources from the webinar using the links provided:
(November 2023)
The ‘Empowering language in foster care’ webinar held on 28th February 2024 was one in a series of free webinars available for our members. The webinar provided information about the lasting damage verbal abuse can have on children and was attended by over 300 of our members. The webinar highlighted the importance of providing positive reinforcement and narrative solution to help children who have been verbally abused by adults, build self-esteem, confidence, and wellbeing.
Words Matter founder Jessica Bondy started the webinar by discussing the huge power and impact the words adults say can have on children and young people, and outlined the amazing work the charity are carrying out to support children and young people in this area.
The second speaker Paris Bartholomew (former secondary school teacher, lecturer, trainer, counsellor, short term foster carer and motivational speaker) shared her own personal experience of foster care and discussed the impact language can have on the development and well-being of looked after children. She highlighted the power words can have and the significant impact they can have on children's self-esteem, emotional resilience, and overall outlook on life.
The webinar ended with final speaker Linda Hill, co-founder of Lika Family Fostering, an Outstanding therapeutic fostering agency. Linda showcased some systemic therapy practices focusing on language, meaning, and relational dynamics within foster care and discussed how these can be used to create change for children in care.
Speaker Jessica Bondy shared her thoughts following the webinar with us:
“We were delighted that The Fostering Network held this seminar to discuss the importance of words and language for children in foster care. Foster carers play such a vital role in society. Over 300 foster carers and fostering organisations registered to attend which highlights the interest in childhood verbal abuse by adults and the desire for advice and guidance. Raising awareness of this issue and educating all the adults who play a role in children’s lives is so vital to ending verbal abuse and helping children flourish. Change is possible if we all work together to find lasting solutions that support children and the people around them.”
Excellent feedback was provided throughout the webinar by those who attended. If you missed the webinar, the recording and presentations can be accessed below:
Resources:
Paris Bartholomew presentation
The labels we carry video
Linda Hill, Lika Family Fostering presentation
(February 2024)
The Fostering Network welcomed attendees from across the UK to our webinar delivered on 28 March 2024. Speakers focused on the different types of therapeutic support services can provide foster carers, and the significant impact this can have on carer retention.
Speakers included:
Dr Vicky Sutton, Chartered Clinical Psychologist. Since qualifying in 2005, Vicky has specialised in working with traumatised children, carers, and professional networks. Vicky specialises in the therapeutic approach Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (better known as DPP), and is a certified DDP Practitioner, Consultant and Trainer. During the webinar Vicky discusses her recent work with Wiltshire fostering service in supporting their foster carers and staff to embed DDP practice across the service and highlights the benefits of this for carer retention.
Kati Taunt, Clinical Social Worker, Cognitive Behavioural Therapist, Systemic Practitioner, Trauma Therapist, consultant and ARC trainer (Attachment, Regulation and Competency). Kati has 25 years of experience working in a range of settings including specialist CAMHS teams, and local authority residential child & adolescent provision. Kati shared her extensive experiences and expertise in discussing why it is important to provide therapeutic support to foster carers, including expanding on the different models of therapeutic support available and their benefits to carer retention. Kati shared a presentation which is available below.
Supervising Social Worker Susana Carr, and foster carers Sharon and Sandjay, from Lika Family Fostering Service, an outstanding service. Susana, Sharon and Sandjay discuss the systemic therapeutic approach provided by Lika fostering service, evident in their service delivery and the support they provide to carers. Sharon and Sandjay discuss their journey of receiving therapeutic support, how pivotal it has been in their decision to remain fostering and how it has transformed how they foster.
‘Thank you so much, wish this was a longer session!’
'Thank you Sandra and Sharon, so appreciate hearing direct experience from Carers, soooooo valuable, thank you'
The webinar recieved excellent feedback from attendees. If you missed out or would like to watch the webinar again, the recording can be accessed below.
‘Such a brilliant session. I’m hoping I can share with it with all of my service -carers staff and carers. Thank you’
‘Fabulous webinar - thank you to all of you for your presentations, and for sharing thoughts and experiences. There is so much positive information to take away and work into practice.’
Excellent feedback was provided throughout the webinar by those who attended. If you missed the webinar, the recording and presentations can be accessed below:
Resources:
Webinar recording
Kati Taunt presentation
(March 2024)
On 22 May The Fostering Network collaborated with Mutual Ventures to welcome attendees from across the UK to this webinar focusing on the development of regional fostering recruitment hubs.
Mutual Ventures (MV) is a small consultancy who work with local and central government, NHS organisations and the third sector to improve public services. MV are the delivery partner for the Department for Education’s Fostering Recruitment and Retention Programme, supporting nine regional clusters of local authorities to develop fostering recruitment support hubs.
We were fortunate to be joined by MV consultant Hannah Szczepanski, who has been supporting the recruitment hub learning programme. Hannah lead the webinar, which involved presenting on the development of the regional hubs so far, and facilitating a panel discussion between the speakers, which included:
Katie Jones:
Recruitment hub Manager, Foster for East Midlands.
Janice Horslen:
Recruitment hub Project Manager, Local Community Fostering Greater London East.
Katie and Janice provided an overview of how their regional hubs are run, what has worked well so far, what they have learnt and would do differently. Katie and Janice responded to questions from Hannah Szczepanski, as well as webinar attendees.
The webinar came to a close with a brief presentation from The Fostering Network head of mockingbird, Freya Burley. Freya explained how each hub has funding specifically for mockingbird, enabling local authorities in the hub to set up a mockingbird constellation, or develop their mockingbird service if they already have one in place. Freya provided an overview of mockingbird and their work in support authorities involved in the hubs so far.
The webinar was very well received by attendees. We are delighted that 88% of attendees said they found the webinar very useful and provided the following feedback;
“Really brilliant session, thanks all for your insight, updates and advice, it's been very helpful!”
“Thanks so much it was great”
If you missed out or would like to watch the webinar again, you can view the webinar recording.
(May 2024)
The recent webinar on suicide prevention aimed to raise awareness of suicide, especially among young people under the age of 35, while also addressing how we can support both young people and those who have experienced the loss of a loved one. The panel emphasised the emotional strain experienced by foster carers and the importance of maintaining positive mental health for everyone involved.
Participants were reminded to be mindful of their own emotional well-being while engaging with the content. If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts or are worried about a young person, you can seek confidential support and practical advice from HOPELINE247 through Papyrus. For more information, visit Papyrus-uk.org.
We were fortunate to be joined by the following speakers:
Presentation: Diva's Mum
Care experienced young people – suicide information
Care experienced people fact sheet example
Papyrus – overview of training
Presentation: Suicide Let's Talk About It
This impactful seminar underscored the need for continued awareness, community involvement, and professional support to prevent suicide and assist those affected by it.
If you were unable to attend on the day or would like to watch the webinar again, you can view the webinar recording.
(September 2024)