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Here are some suggested organisations that offer expert advice on fostering.

Fostering

CRB's done

14 replies

angel31dust · 13/09/2010 21:57

My CRB certs came in the post In less than two weeks. Skills to foster course now booked for October. Things are moving forward yay.

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SquidgyBrain · 14/09/2010 12:51

wooohooo :)

And October is just round the corner :)

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angel31dust · 14/09/2010 13:04

It's not til 3rd weeks but it will come round in no time. X

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SquidgyBrain · 14/09/2010 14:29

won't it just! it feels like it is a long wait until you get to panel - but trust me it will be gone in a heartbeat!

keep up upto date with how it is going :)

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angel31dust · 14/09/2010 18:47

Will do hon thanks x

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p99gmb · 14/09/2010 22:05

Hiya. Just wanted to tell you about our experience on the skills to foster course.

Very intense - we did ours over 4 saturdays - 2 sessions per day. Expect to be split up from your partner - very interactive. Someone will be taking notes about everything said and how you interact with others etc.

Very interesting and hard information at times - a few dropped out on our course which I think is the norm.

As someone approved only a couple of weeks ago and already with 2 lovely little ones, go for it girl!! I feel it is so rewarding already - just had our first visit with the kids SW and she really pleased and liked our positive feedback already.

All the very best, be yourself, be honest, they aren't looking for saints - they don't exist.

Keep in touch - its such a lovely time, this preparation, so enjoy.

It gets better!!!

:)

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angel31dust · 23/10/2010 00:15

We are on a 3 day course. It's going really well last day tomorrow. No one has dropped out there are 22 of us so we kind of expected some losses but everyone seems really committed to it. It is very interactive but we haven't been split up at all. It's slot of information on day 2 to absorb. Mostly common sense stuff I feel though. They lay on a lovely lunch for us each day. The adies running the course are super friendly we have 2 social workers and a foster carer running it. They are happy to chat privately with you after the day swell so if we are not comfortable talking with the group we can talk one to one. None of the ladies are writing anything down? Should they be? Our own supervising social worker is running it tomorrow so we are quite excited to work with him as he very nice. Will write again tomorrow about the final day to update in case anyone is due to attend the course soon.

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p99gmb · 23/10/2010 11:54

Hiya Angel.. glad you enjoying the course.. we found it very interesting, with so much to take in.. gosh, it was only March and seems so long ago now...

We did have someone making notes on us all, and we later heard about some of the comments about us - it was mentioned in the report that is written that goes to the approval panel - maybe yours just have very good memories!!!

You've still got a way to go yet but this is a major part of the preparation... the only bit of advice I can give to anyone - from a very inexperienced foster carer (we've had our first placement 6 weeks now) - is enjoy the process, there is NO RUSH, and to take this time to mentally and physically prepare.. we are loving are role, and thankfully NO ONE told us it would be EASY - because honestly, at times is ISN'T - and we must have the easiest kids to look after, but after 3 days of contact, we feel like we've lost all our hard work that we've done with them, and we are back to square one.. and that is sad for us...

So, everything they say on the course is true, it isn't rosy at times, its hard, tiring, and emotionally draining.

I'm not trying to put you off in the slightest.. just telling you like it is, as you need to prepare for the times when it is hard.. and like I say, I don't think we have a clue ourselves yet as to how hard it can really get...

Enjoy the course, enjoy the preparation and the time with your supervising social worker.. let things take their own pace and you'll be fighting fit to be ready for your first placement...

Keep us all posted.. its great to hear about people's experiences...

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angel31dust · 31/10/2010 23:56

Hi thanks for your advise p99gmb. The last day was good an easier day for sure. We did our evaluation form the night before and handed it over on the day. Got a call on Monday to say the social worker will be calling in a couple of days to arrange a visit but still waiting on that one lol. We have a friend that has been fostering for years so we were lucky enough to have a real insight into what lifes really like. With eyes wide open we are still looking forward to the challenges that come our way. It's the reward of giving children that helping hand in their times of need that drives me forward. We also hope to adopt oneday so this is a starting point for us. How long did your assessment take in the end?

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bottersnike · 01/11/2010 12:26

This is all really good to hear - we are starting our Skills2Foster course tomorrow evening, and then have 3 Saturdays this month.
We're excited, and really looking forward to it.

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p99gmb · 01/11/2010 13:20

Glad it went well for you Angel..

We got assigned our assessing SW about a month after finishing the course.. and she then came once a week or so..

some cancelled appointments - due to something 'happening' that she had to see to, so be prepared for that potentially happening...

We started seeing her in May and we went to panel at the end of August, so I think we did really good timewise.. suppose it can depend on what 'comes out', references and people she has to visit.. ours came to see me at work (as I worked with kids - I've since given it up as it wasn't practical), and saw 3 other referees and did a verbal with hubby's ex over the phone..

Nine days later, got our first placement - we've been very lucky thoughout..

For sure its rewarding, I say its the best and hardest job in the world.. but I'm a novice for sure..

Good luck with the process, and good luck to you too bottersnike.. its a strange journey but hey, if anyone wants an easy life, don't become a foster carer!!!

Keep posting..

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angel31dust · 02/11/2010 22:33

Hi we have our social worker coming next Thursday for first meeting. Sooooooo exciting

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bottersnike · 03/11/2010 12:29

First Skills2Foster session yesterday - really good. Another one this Saturday.
Lots to think about already :)

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shaz298 · 03/11/2010 13:53

Hi, Good luck everyone who is going through the process.

I am going to my first prep group on Saturday. Seems Barnardos only do a 2 day prep course, 2 full saturdays. Really excited ( and nervous) xx