Looked After ChildrenThis is a featured page

This page looks at STOCK & INFORMATION resources, TRAINING, FUNDING, and BACKGROUND INFORMATION

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NB To see the guide to the abbreviations used to indicate original sources see the Social Inclusion Information main page

New Stuff

Stock Ideas & Information Resources

  • New Books by BAAF:
    1. Managing Difficult Behaviour by Clare Pallett, Kathy Blackeby, William Yale, Roger Weissman and Stephen Scott with Eileen Fursland £10.95 + £1.92 VAT, BAAF, March 2008, 100 pages: Managing Difficult Behaviour is a unique handbook that aims to provide foster carers with new skills to help them improve a child’s behaviour. Full of useful tips, case examples and exercises, this handbook addresses key areas including: how to be good at giving praise; giving positive attention; establishing boundaries; using rewards; helping children learn from their actions; giving instructions, using time-out. The techniques and strategies set out in this book are not difficult to understand or to put into practice. The improvements in relationships and in children’s behaviour will make every day seem easier and more manageable. Managing Difficult Behaviour does not provide all the answers. But it does set out ways in which foster carers can help children, in their own way and in their own home. To find out more visit: http://www.baaf.org.uk/res/pubs/books/book_managedifficult.shtml
    2. The Family Business by Robert Marsden £7.95, BAAF, March 2008142 pages: The Family Business is the true story of the adoption of William, a little boy with cerebral palsy, by a middle-aged couple with three birth children. It tells of the journey William and the other members of the family made to get to the point where they felt they were a whole family. The story describes the doubts of the parents in the early days, the confused feelings of William, and some of the frustrations and humorous adventures the family has had in the “disability world”. Narrated by the adoptive father, this is an honest and realistic account of adopting a child with a disability and the impact of adoption on the whole family. It explores the challenges of day-to-day family life and the importance of focusing on the child’s personality rather than his disability. Above all The Family Business provides a positive, upbeat account of the growth of love and the cementing of family bonds. To find out more visit: http://www.baaf.org.uk/res/pubs/books/book_fambiz.shtml
    3. Together in Time by Ruth and Ed Royce, £7.95, BAAF, March 2008, 148 pages: Together in Time is the open and honest account of Ruth and Ed Royce’s journey from childlessness to celebrating as a family. From a dual perspective, each with their own anxieties, expectations and vulnerabilities, they look back on their decision to adopt, to the fear that their family was falling apart, to their experience of music and art therapy, and then on to their decision to adopt for a second time. Would they ever get to the bottom of their son’s deep-seated problems with drums and tambourines? They weren’t so sure… They record their feelings about the events that transpired and show how creative therapies helped them come together as a family. To find out more visit: http://www.baaf.org.uk/res/pubs/books/book_togethertime.shtml

    How to order these titles: Order online at http://www.baaf.org.uk/res/pubs/books/book_managedifficult.shtml Or call our publications sales team on 020 7421 2604. Or email pubs.sales@baaf.org.uk (LACJ 09/04/08 & 18/04/08)
  • The guide, "Moving on: a self-help information guide for young care leavers in England and Wales" (http://www.info4movingon.org.uk/) has been updated to include more emphasis on London info. (LACJ 15/04/08)
  • The Banana Kid - A frank and revealing memoir of growing up black, female and in care, written by Valerie Mason-John £9.95, BAAF, March 2008, 242 pages. This is the spirited story of Pauline, who spent her childhood and teenage years moving in and out of foster homes and back and forth to Dr Barnardo’s Village in Essex. Valerie Mason-John’s frank and revealing memoir of her childhood and adolescence is an important story powerfully told about growing up black, female and in care. [Previously published under the title Borrowed Body, won of the MIND Book of the Year award in 2006.] To find out more visit: http://www.baaf.org.uk/res/pubs/books/book_bananakid.shtml How to order these titles: Order online at: http://www.baaf.org.uk/res/pubs/books/book_bananakid.shtml Or call our publications sales team on 020 7421 2604 Or email pubs.sales@baaf.org.uk Please note BAAF always require prepayment.(LACJ 25/03/08)
  • Morris and the bundle of worries, Written by Jill Seeney, Illustrated by Rachel Fuller, £9.95, BAAF, December 2007, 24 pages: This charming picture book for young children explores the importance of sharing worries and thereby learning to cope with and manage them. All young children have worries, but looked after children may have more worries than most as they lack the reassurance and security of permanent stable life. Although Morris has many worries, their exact nature is left unsaid, enabling adults to use this story with any child suffering with any worries. A booklet – My Book of Worries – is included at the back of the book for children to draw and write about their own worries and concerns.To find out more visit:http://www.baaf.org.uk/res/pubs/books/book_morris.shtmlOrder online at http://www.baaf.org.uk/res/pubs/books/book_morris.shtml Or call the publications sales team on 020 7421 2604, Or email pubs.sales@baaf.org.ukPlease note prepayment always required. (LACJ 11/12/07)
  • For further info about a collection of LAC's poetry and art-work produced by Knowsley & St Helens Library Services email Gilly for a copy of the flier, or email contact the project: righttoread@knowsley.gov.uk (LACJ 05/12/07 - an update from the original entry on this project on 24/11/07)
  • Knowsley & St Helens Library Services (as part of their PHF Right to Read project) have produced a collection of poetry & artwork by looked-after young people and their carers. Copies are available from: Knowsley Right to Read Project, Kirkby Library, Newtown Gardens, Kirkby, Knowsley L32 8RR, Email: rightotread@knowsley.gov.uk, Tel: 0151 443 4296 (LACJ 24/11/07)
  • Who Cares Trust have just produced "WOW" (World of Work), a CD-ROM for care-leavers with info about career choices, job hunting and being employed. See: http://www.thewhocarestrust.org.uk/professionals.htm#wow (LACJ 05/11/07)
  • I CAN, the Children’s Communication Charity works to develop speech, language and communication skills for all children. Our particular focus is children who find communication hard. I CAN work to ensure all people who have a responsibility to children and young people, either directly or indirectly, from parent and teachers to policy makers, understand the importance of good communication skills. They have a conference coming up on in Islington on 28th November 2007 on the links between language and social exclusion http://www.ican.org.uk/home/Conferences/Language%20and%20Social%20Exclusion.aspx (LACJ 03/11/07)
  • A subscription form for the award winning 'Who Cares?' Magazine for Looked After Children is attached to the bottom of this page. [LACJ 17/06/07]
  • The National Leaving Care Advisory Service is launching a new website in October: http://www.leavingcare.org/ [LACJ 23/07/07]
  • John Vincent summarised tips from various libraries about working with foster carers (LACJ 15/07). Email Gilly at SINTO Office if you want a copy. Also available is Nicola Yuill's report on East Sussex's 'Right to Read' project encouraging informal literacy in LAC, working with foster carers.
  • The Who Cares? Trust (for Looked After Children) is delighted to announce that the best selling Health Booklets have now been re-written and re-designed, and are once again available to purchase http://www.thewhocarestrust.org.uk/publications.htm e-mail: Susie.Hall@thewhocarestrust.org.uk (LACJ 10/09)
  • The Yorkshire Max card website has opened: http://www.mymaxcard.co.uk/ (LAC 12/04/07) Contact erica.ramsay@mlayorkshire.org.uk for details of the MAX card scheme for LAC to get Access to museums and galleries etc.
  • In February 2007 the Out For Our Children website goes live at www.outforourchildren.co.uk The site, authored by lesbian parents, aims to reach and inform all carers and educators of young children, as well as other parents. The site contains activity suggestions for educators, guidelines on the law and government policy, book & resource lists, weblinks and stories from the group about our children’s experiences at nursery. (LACJ 31/01/07)
  • Derbyshire's Big Book Bash festival for Looked After Children won the Improving Outcomes for LAC ward at the national Community Care Awards (p8 UM Jan-Feb 07)
  • Society of Chief Libarians have agreed that children and young people who are Travellers/ Looked After Children/ Refugees & Asylum Seekers can return library materials to any library in the UK without any overdue charges being made. The library will then return materials to the originating library free of charge. For further information, contact: Assoc of Senior Children's & Education Librarians (ASCEL) Vice Chair, Lesley Sim lesley.sim@westsussex.gov.uk ; The Network - tackling exclusion in libraries, museums, archives and galleries, John Vincent john@nadder.org.uk ; Youth & Schools Panel (YASP) of CILIP, Chair, Liz Dubber lizdubber@lycosmax.co.uk ; Society of Chief Librarians (SCL), Chair, Rob Froud RNFroud@somerset.gov.uk
  • "Foster Family" series now available again from Amazon. See: http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss_b/026-7407353-4970832?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=ure+%2B+foster&Go.x=14&Go.y=9 (LACJ 20th Sept 06)
  • The Who Cares? Trust Drugs Booklets have now been re-written and re-designed, and are once again available to purchase: Who Cares? about drugs is a full colour, accessible booklet targeted at 12 – 18 year old young people living in public care. It is a completely revised and re-designed edition of the current booklet first published three years ago. Contact Susie Hall, Marketing Manager, The Who Cares? Trust Direct Line: 020 7017 2773, Web: http://www.thewhocarestrust.org.uk/publications.htm (LAC 2nd Oct 06) AND The Who Cares? Trust About Cash CD ROM is also now available to buy. (LACJ 23rd Oct 06)
  • The National Information Forum has just published a self-help information guide for young care-leavers in England and Wales, Moving on. It includes sections on rights, sources of legal advice, finding somewhere to live, benefits, budgeting, education, volunteering, employment, additional help for disabled young people, "information for living" (eg police, libraries, debt, etc), health, "someone to talk to" (eg about bereavement, despair, mental health). Further details from the NIF, tel: 020 7402 6681; email: info@nif.org.uk The information is also available on a newly-launched website at: http://info4movingon.org.uk/index.htm (LACJ 9th Oct 2006)

Staff Training


Funding

  • The KPMG Foundation provides grants for projects with disadvantaged people, with particular emphasis on unlocking the potential of children and young people up to 30 years of age. Particular groups of interest include; Refugees; Young offenders; Children and young people who have been in care; Children and young people with dyslexia/literacy difficulties. The Foundation considers applications once a year, and throughout the year they capture all organizations keen to apply for funding on a database. If you would like your details added to the database email kpmgfoundation@kpmg.co.uk. Once the Trustees agree a funding date they will write to all organisations on the database providing them with details of how to apply. For further information visit: http://www.kpmg.co.uk/about/foundation/ap.cfm (WTYL 15/10/07)
  • A new Public Service Agreement (PSA) is aimed at reducing social exclusion amongst the most vulnerable adults. The socially excluded adults PSA focuses on increasing the proportion of at-risk individuals in settled accommodation and employment, education or training, which represent the core foundations of normal, everyday life which the majority of people take for granted. Four client groups are covered by the PSA. They are particularly vulnerable to multiple forms of disadvantage and include: care leavers; offenders under probation supervision; adults in contact with secondary mental health services; and adults with moderate to severe learning disabilities. For more see: http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/social_exclusion_task_force/

Background Reading

Anyone who really wants a lot of background reading material should sign up to The Network's jiscmail list for looked after children run by John Vincent (see the first bullet point below). Some of the reports from this circulation list are shown below, but this may change as this Wiki develops its own identity.
  • "The Network - tackling social exclusion in libraries, museums, archives and galleries" (see www.seapn.org.uk ), coordinates a number of email lists (using JISCMAIL) including one for Looked After Children. To subscribe, simply send an email to john@nadder.org.uk . To send an email to the list, email lac@jiscmail.ac.uk;
  • Consultation on the new Equality Framework for Local Government (http://www.idea.gov.uk/idk/core/page.do?pageId=8488097 IDeA have produced an updated version of the Framework for consultation (http://www.idea.gov.uk/idk/aio/8493290 ) – they want views from local authorities that have implemented the Equality Standard, and the deadline is 16 Aug 2008. This new version picks up particularly on changes in local demography (including migration), and simplifies the process, whilst also broadening the definitions “which includes the groups that enjoy legal protection against discrimination – race, gender, disability, religion or belief, sexual orientation and age – but also encourages authorities to work with other groups who may face disadvantage and discrimination, such as white working class boys, looked after children and groups like Gypsies and Travellers whose needs have often been ignored.” (WTYL 07/07/08)
  • Staying Put Pilot Programme: DCSF have just launched this new programme to support young people staying with their foster families beyond the age of 18. See: http://www.dfes.gov.uk/pns/DisplayPN.cgi?pn_id=2008_0115. Of the 10 successful pilot local authority areas, the following are in the SINTO area: Lincolnshire; North Yorkshire; York. (LACJ 26/06/08)
  • Lambeth Council's webpages for looked after children are called G2K (http://www.g2k.org.uk/), and have just won 'Best Interactive Media produced by Young People for Young People' in the Children & Young People Now annual Positive Image awards. (LACJ 19/06/08)
  • Looked after children: good practice in schools Ofsted have produced a very brief outline of 'what works': http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/assets/Internet_Content/Shared_Content/Files/2008/may/lkdafterchild.pdf (John Vincent comments that 'it doesn't seem to include reading' (LACJ 27/05/08)
  • DCSF have just published: Outcome Indicators for Children Looked After, Twelve months to 30 September 2007 - England. http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000785/index.shtml (LACJ 07/05/08) And for a Critique by C&YPNow of these figures: See: http://www.cypnow.co.uk/bulletins/Daily-Bulletin/inDepth/807312/?DCMP=EMC-DailyBulletin (LACJ 08/05/08)
  • A new project, based at Salusbury WORLD, welcoming refugee children and young people. http://www.sharedfutures.org.uk:80/ (LACJ 02/05/08)
  • The latest figures from DCSF for England are available at: http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000785/index.shtml (LACJ 26/04/08)
  • Community Care website. Briefings on “the bigger picture”
    http://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/List.aspx?NavigationID=153&SlotPageID=32 This expert guide section of the Community Care website has very readable briefings on a wide range of topics. Although intended for those involved in the social care sector these could be very useful background for library staff. Topics covered include Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children, (WTYL 10/03/08)
  • The Government's plan for implementing the changes required, which were identified via "Care Matters", has just been published: http://www.everychildmatters.gov.uk/_files/CareMattersTimetodeliver.pdf (LACJ 29/03/08)
  • Literacy & the Children's Workforce Development Council (CWDC) Standards: http://www.fostering.net/resources/newsletter/february08/feature.php - an article from the Fostering Network (LACJ 01/03/08)
  • Caring for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children and young people – China and Somalia by Eileen Fursland, £2.00 each, BAAF, February 2008, 20 pages approx. To find out more visit: http://www.baaf.org.uk/res/pubs/books/book_cuasc.shtml How to order these titles: Order online at http://www.baaf.org.uk/res/pubs/books/book_cuasc.shtml ; Or call our publications sales team on 020 7421 2604; Or email pubs.sales@baaf.org.uk Please note BAAF always require prepayment. [British Association for Adoption & Fostering, Saffron House, 6-10 Kirby Street, London EC1N 8TS, tel 020 7421 2600, email mail@baaf.org.uk ] These pamphlets aim to help foster carers and others learn about the circumstances that unaccompanied asylum-seeking children and young people have experienced, the effect of traumatic events on these young people, what their needs are likely to be, what issues are important for them now, and how they can help these young people cope with the profound changes in their young lives. There are also three other country specific pamphlets focusing on Afghanistan, Eritrea and Iran. (LACJ 26/02/08)
  • The transcript of an interesting speech by the Parliamentary Under Secretary for Children, Young People and Families is available at: http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/speeches/search_detail.cfm?ID=725 (LACJ 06/12/07)
  • The Scottish Government's recently publlished strategy document, Getting it right for every child in kinship and foster care - see: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/205513/0054689.pdf (LACJ 08/12/07)
  • The National Information Forum have launched their new report Towards A Better Life (December 2007). The report considers whether young people leaving care are getting the information they need. It follows a survey of randomly chosen young people, some having left care, others about to do so. It is set in a context of truly shocking statistics. The survey sought to bring out: what problems the interviewees faced in getting information; the extent to which they were able to get information relevant to their needs; their awareness of services both locally and nationally. It was found that, in practice, information provision is essentially reactive rather than proactive. The young people interviewed had access to information, but they were able to get the right answers only if they had the initiative to ask and know the right questions. The Forum believes that information poverty – the failure to provide information and support to help to make sense of it - contributes substantially to social exclusion. The report makes seven recommendations towards a better life; some of them expensive, but infinitely less costly than dealing with the wreck of young lives, and essential if every child really matters. To obtain a copy, contact the National Information info@nif.org.uk, tel: 020 7402 6681, fax: 020 7402 1259. (Summary of NIF Press release sent round in LACJ 14/12/07)
  • Ofsted has just published this report by the Children's Rights Director, which summarises responses by young people to the recent consultations on different aspects of care. http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/assets/Internet_Content/Shared_Content/
    Files/2007/nov/childrens%20messages.pdf     (LACJ 23/11/07)
  • DCSF have just published "Children looked after in England (including adoption and care leavers) year ending 31 March 2007": http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000741/index.shtml (LAC 18/11/07)
  • For a brief intro to the new plans for care leavers, plus discussion of what happens to young people when they are forced to leave care before they are ready. See: http://www.childrennow.co.uk/news/index.cfm?fuseaction=details&UID=4a5a24fa-2739-44b4-b7c2-ce453d85f6e8 (LACJ 17/10/07)
  • Care Matters: Time for Change, a White Paper (building on developments from the Green Paper, Care Matters) has just been published. It can be downloaded from: http://www.dfes.gov.uk/publications/timeforchange/index.shtml. It mentions particularly Knowsley's Right to Read project, and the MLA NE/Yorkshire's MAX Card schemes. [LACJ 25/06/07]



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