The great, late, Nelson Mandela once said that ‘the youth of today are the leaders of tomorrow.’ This is, of course true, but we like to think that young people are also the leaders of today which is why we have been so pleased to have had our young champions in Scotland come on board to influence decision-making and undertake awareness-raising activities.

Sue McKellar, project worker on our Young Champions programme, catches up with some of the participants for some feedback of their involvement, which will be documented in this three-part blog series.

We all need a break to ‘get away from it all,’ and that’s what holidays are there for. Whether it’s caravanning it through the countryside in the middle of spring, or a summer getaway to Ibiza, we are practically spoilt for choice when it comes to finding the perfect spot to spend some quality time with our foster children or young people.

Universities across the UK are striving to engage more care leavers with higher education. Here Transitions Team leader at De Montfort University, Melissa Page, explains why this is so important and what her university is seeking to do to reach more care leavers.

Having blogged for many years about fostering and raising children I have more recently looked at ways in which adults and young people can achieve happiness and contentment. Last time we looked at how we can turn the corner and move on after a negative experience. This time I’d like to look at taking responsibility for our lives.

Our Mockingbird programme is growing rapidly, with new constellations (fostering households gathered around a hub home which offers planned and emergency respite, advice, training and support) popping up across the country. One of the unexpected joys of the programme is the emergence of the important role played by ‘hub animals’: pets that were part of the household before the family took on the role of the hub home and have now become a much loved member of the wider constellation family. The presence of these animals within the hub home adds to the variety of experiences for children and young people - and often provides another important relationship to support young people to learn new skills and confidences. We are collecting some great stories about the impact of pets living in the satellite homes – with some even accompanying children and young people at sleepovers in the hub home!

Things can get a little tricky when it comes to home insurance for foster carers. This is especially the case when it comes to making claims, particularly for intentional damage. Having the right home insurance is vital for peace of mind.

Cast your minds back five years to 2013- what a year!

The second part of a blog descibing how alien a new foster family in a new country can be and how that feeling can be overcome with love, teamwork and perseverence.

Time flies! It’s been a busy start to the year for the campaigns and policy team, and hard to believe we’re at the end of February already. A new year has also brought with it a new Children’s Minister in England, so it’s all change at the Department for Education.