Stability for children in foster care
Early intervention/stabilising arrangements for children with their foster carers before the decision is made to end the arrangement
In this seminar, we will explore together the work that has been undertaken to try and stabilise the relationship between foster carers and children in their care before the decision is made to end the arrangement.
It is always very sad when children need to move on from being with their carers, especially an unplanned ending. The earlier the review of supportive interventions the better, stability meetings are very useful to get everyone together, consider what else can be done and document the additional support and attempts to settle things down, this provides a space to consider the roles of all those involved and how this is going to be implemented and reviewed.
Stability meetings or early intervention is also a useful process when there are signs of things feeling a little strained, or challenging, you might notice a change in presentation from the carer, a little tired, change in language, this is a good time to consider a stability meeting and invite those involved in the team around the child. There will be an opportunity to work through important elements of a stability meeting and how this could provide direction, leave the door open for further intervention or closure.
We will discuss good practice together to ensure we are doing all we can for carers and children.
About the trainer
Catherine Lockett has worked within social care for 38 years as a practitioner and in senior management positions within the fostering sector, also within camhs, leaving care and safeguarding, both for local authorities and the independent sector. She has experience of setting up, managing and leading smaller to larger fostering services and held positions such as responsible individual, panel chair, panel advisor and agency decision maker. Catherine is an associate for NAFP and takes a lead on practice discussions, including working with NAFP's various practice forums to help support new practice guidance across the sector.
(this event will be hosted on Zoom - accessibility; delegates will be emailed details of how to join a few days beforehand)