Foster Carers Associations (FCAs) provide support and information for foster carers across the country. At Fostering Barnsley, we work with an amazing FCA. We asked the FCA to describe the brilliant work they do here in Barnsley:
“We want to improve the experience of care for children and young people. We do this by promoting good practices within fostering by liaising with Fostering Barnsley to discuss all aspects of fostering.
"Our Association offers support and assistance for foster carers. Peer support can be essential when new and challenging situations arise. As foster carers, we aim to improve the outcomes of the children and young people of Barnsley who are currently being cared for."
To help achieve this goal, the FCA provides a year-round calendar of educational and fun activities for our children, young people and fostering families. This includes:
An annual Halloween Party
Easter Party
Christmas Party and Pantomime
Paint a Pot classes
Regular bowling trips
Ninja Warrior, an event specifically for our older children
Hiring a soft play centre for our younger children
Afternoon Tea at Twisted Teapot for our foster carers!
Big days out, such as trips to Flamingo Land Resort and Zoo, or Cannon Hall Farm.
“We find our events equally beneficial to our children and young people, and the fostering families they have joined. These activities and days out give our children the opportunity to meet other children and young people in similar situations to themselves. It helps give them a sense of community, spirit and wellbeing, boosts their self-esteem and confidence and helps them to thrive and move forward on their own journey in life.
"We take our responsibilities very seriously and undertake risk assessments for all our events via our risk assessment/safeguarding lead. Most foster carers have paediatric first aid training and so events are well covered. All foster carers have a safer caring policy for their individual children and are therefore able manage any needs linked to the children in their care.
"We meet every month and share information up to the leadership team and out to foster carers to support our fostering families and to improve the services offered to them.”
Have you been inspired by our friends at the FCA? If you’re intrigued about fostering, we would love to hear from you. Book a call to have an informal chat with one of our team and find out more!
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