Stuck on the CWDC workbook.

[stumpymosha]

I am in desperate need of help. I have tried to do it on my own but I am running out of time. My SSW doesn't even understand the question I'm on now. It's 5.6 understanding contexts. I have only two weeks to finish it now and I really need to have a look at some examples of answers to the remaining questions so I have an idea of what is expected of me. If anyone can show me some examples or help in any way, I will be extremely thankful. I promise I won't copy your answers, I just need an example to get myself going.

[somewheresomehow]

hi not sure about your workbook but when i was doing my level 3 child care course i found help and answers on the silkysteps web site
www.silkysteps.com/index.html
if you join up and put the question on there something may come up thats useful for you

[stumpymosha]

Thanks for the suggestion but silkysteps sent me here. :(

[Fosterangel]

Post the question 5.6 for us all to look at and we can send you some ideas. xx

[stumpymosha]

Understanding the development of chldren and young people.
Understanding contexts.
Evidence (summarise your evidence below.
I was thinking...
Our foster child has contact with his parents and 7 of his siblings twice weekly. This encourages him to keep and develop his relationship with his family and maintain his identity and heritage.We have learned about his religion and this helps us to support him in following the muslim traditions.
Our foster child is very quiet due to his past adversities and we encourage him to take part in our conversations at a pace comfortable to him.
We work with his social worker to ensure we understand his needs and are able to cater for them.This is discussed regularly with the review team during his LAC reviews and PEP meetings.
We liaise with his school and medical prfessionals to ensure his health and education are developing correctly........
The question is really vague and I'm not sure whether I have the right idea here. The answer I have given is way too long to fit into the box so maybe I've got it completely wrong. If not, does anyone have an idea of how I can shorten it yet still keep the right evidence in there please?

[Fosterangel]

Hi Stumpy - When I did the CWDC we were not restricted to the size of our answer and we could write as much as we liked as I did it on line. I did this so long ago and do not have a copy to hand but from memory here goes!

I think I approached this question from several directions - the first was looking at child development from Maslow's hierarchy of needs i.e. the child, in order to develop through many stages to a fully functioning adult needs to have all basic needs met in the first instance i.e. biological needs for food, shelter, sleep etc must be met for a child to survive. Building on that need being met, the next stage to help the child develop is keeping the child safe and secure, giving rules to live by and order to their lives and limits. The next stage to assist development is satisfying a child's need to feel part of a family and feeling that they belong and have good relationships. Next stage building on the previous ones is achieving good self-esteem and at the pinnacle you have a well-rounded and well developed child who has reach self actualisation and fulfillment. I gave examples along the way of how I achieved each stage with my foster children and how we saw them grow and develop and change into well rounded youngsters who were very much part of our family. We gave examples of how we see them enjoying their lives and achieving what they want to do in life. You can google Maslow's hierarchy of needs.

Secondly, I also looked a child development from attachment theory, and how as carers it was important to be a secure base to help the child develop a sense of safety and trust so they can explore their world and learn new skills, knowing you are there for them. Again, I used personal experiences with my foster children to show how I was a secure base for them when they felt unsure and how they learned to trust and enjoy new experiences over time.

You have identified the importance of your child's heritage and culture and it shows your sensitivity to the needs of your children and your awareness of their development which takes into account their background and birth family. That is a brilliant example and covers it all really. Encouraging your foster child to enter family discussions is all part of attachment (safe, secure base) so you have covered that too.

Also, you are mindful of health of your child and also education and following advices in PEP's and LAC's so really you have covered it all.

I am sure others have some more good ideas for you - hope you get a distinction!!

[Fosterangel]

I forgot to add that if children have been subjected to severe neglect and/or abuse they can come into foster care failing to thrive and developmentally delayed and need time and love to help them with their development.

[stumpymosha]

Thanks fosterangel. I'm doing mine online too but the boxes don't expand so I'm restricted to how much I can write.
I have 1 more standard that I'm stuck on now. It's Standard 7 Develop yourself. 7.1 Your role as a foster carer. I have answered most of it and am happy with what I have written. The only thing I can't do is C.Be aware of the particular issues for male, black and minority ethnic, gay and lesbian foster carers and the support available. Are there any foster carers that fall into any of these categories that could give me some ideas please?

[Kahuna]

Hi Stumpy - I did my CWDC over 2 years ago and this is what I put for 7.C - most of it based on research from the Fostering Network site [ www.fostering.net/ ]

Male, black and minority ethnic, gay and lesbian foster carer?s often face additional issues due to society expectations; women are traditionally seen as natural care-givers and some circles of society view men who devote their time to this role with suspicion.
Many male foster carer?s are afraid to hug a looked after child for fear of being accused of abuse, they don?t feel able to engage in the types of physical playing around like tickling or rolling around on the floor like they would with their own children.
Like any other carer, males carer?s have unique skills, experiences and abilities that they bring to fostering. However, they need to think about the role they play in caring for the child/ren, particularly when children have had negative experiences from men in their past.

It is often seen as a social stigma to foster care/adopt in ethnic minority families due to the emphasis on cultural blood-lineage and ignorance of the moral and religious merit

Gay and lesbian carer?s also face many prejudices from a society who regard nuclear families to be the only ones able to provide a stable and moral environment in which a child can thrive and flourish.

These prejudices, stigmas and suspicions should be challenged. Such families are just as able to offer the security, love, comfort and moral guidance to a child as any other ?traditional? family.


It's all fairly vague but enough to show that you have an understanding of some of the prejudices faced by carer's with ethnic/cultural/sexual differences.

Hope this helps.

[stumpymosha]

Thank you to those people that helped me with this. I know I didn't need much help but I did appreciate the help I received. I have finished and given it to my social worker today. I told her how difficult I found it to fill it in and she said that reading it, you can't tell I found it difficult. She was very impressed with my answers so a big well done to my helpers and thanks again.

[mcfcforever]

I have just sat down to start the cwdc workbook.

Ahhh. I just don't know where to begin.

I would be grateful for any help that's out there.

Anyone got an example of what they had written for question 1.

Desperate mcfc fan

[mcfcforever]

I have just sat down to start the cwdc workbook.

Ahhh. I just don't know where to begin.

I would be grateful for any help that's out there.

Anyone got an example of what they had written for question 1.

Desperate mcfc fan
[email protected]

[fasparent]

You can download Fostercare standards and procedures 2012. This is what book is baced on. Easy too follow you can quote standard saves going into
detail, shows you are aware of and actual read it , Most LA,s use this in training also NVQ 3 , can google it Hove council have a link.

[fostermumtomany]

hi all, I have my completed and certificated cwdc workbook right here with all the answers in it. let me know if you want some help xxxx

[BadabingBadabong]

Hi I'm ploughing through the workbook.
Can anyone help me with the following question....

What advice and information should be available to children and young
people to promote their sexual health, and when? What is your role as
a foster carer?
5.7b What help do children and young people need to develop their sexual
identity in positive ways? How would you respond to a child or young
person telling you that he or she is gay/lesbian or bi-sexual or who was
unsure of their sexual identity?

[Kahuna]

Hi Bada, for the first one I put something along the lines of:

Promoting good sexual health in children and young people include answering the child?s questions in an age appropriate manner.
Understand what the child is asking ? very young children often ask ?mummy, where did I come from?? resulting in mummy giving an abridged version of ?the birds and bees? when in actual fact, the child wanted to know because ?Johnny at school said he came from Manchester?.
Answer the child?s questions honestly and directly, but without elaboration unless it is asked for. Too much information confuses them and may make them too afraid to ask further questions.
Promote self care and self respect for their bodies.
Teach them that it is ok to say ?No? if someone touches them or does anything that makes them feel uncomfortable.
It?s ok to tell someone if someone has made them feel uncomfortable. People will listen, believe them and help them.
If they don?t want to speak to their parents/carers they can speak to their pastoral advisor at school, teachers, G.P, school nurse, Social Worker, other trusted adults such as grandparents/aunts/uncles or help lines.
Allow them to participate in PHSE lessons at school.


and for the 2nd one:

To enable children and young people develop a positive sexual identity they need to know that the changes in their body and emotions are normal.
If they are maturing quicker than their peers, reassure them that their peers will soon catch up with them.
If they are maturing slower than their peers, reassure them that they will catch up with their peers.
Confused feelings about their sexual identity are normal and not to be feared.
Advise them of help lines/websites that are available to help with sexual orientation issues.
Teach them the values of gender equality in all aspects of life ? home, school, work, relationships etc.

Hope this helps.

[BadabingBadabong]

Kahuna I love you!!
Thanks so much you've really helped.
Just section 6 & 7 to go now!

[Kahuna]

Buda - more than happy to help a fellow FC. PM me and I will forward you my whole CWDC book if it will help. I did the on-line version so have a full electronic copy available.
Though I do have to warn you that I did mine nearly 3 years ago and things may have changed since then. I have also realised that although the CWDC is supposed to be "central" i.e. the standards that ALL LA's are supposed to work towards, it's not always the case. BTW: I have done my work book 2 and half way through my diploma so have more material at your disposal if you need it.

[Kahuna]

arg - sorry - Bada x

[Kahuna]

Oh and whilst I'm here, can I reiterate something I said on another thread of the same subject ....

Don?t get bogged down with the ?sample question? bit?.you?ll be there forever if you answer all those too?.
And remember, where it says ?show an awareness? they are looking for an answer to related legislation/practices ? you do not have to provide examples.
If the question reads Demonstrate?then you should provide an example of where you have put the legislation into practice with the LAC in your care?

[BadabingBadabong]

Work book 2?
Nooooo, please tell me there isn't another one.
It's ok you can call me buda!

[MrsMLB]

Hmmmm my SSW gave me a link to the evidence workbook which I am to complete but its all about evidence and doesn't seem to be questions like people have stated here!?? Now I'm even more confused lol...arrrrgggggg! :-(

[jojofun22]

I'm just doing my CWDC also.. on standard 3 but really struggling what to put, had a look at 4 and well I'm about to throw it and missed a couple on 2 aswell xxx

[millmz]

Hi, I have just had my cwdc work book and have no idea on some of it. Would you mind sending it me too please. Also can only fit a certain amount of words in the box and it will not let me expand it. Any idea???!!!!

[belindafiddler]

i have just started the cwdc work book I am struggling on lots of answers from 2.1 anyone that came email me some answers much appriecated thankyou

[Roshbegosh]

Good luck, I hope someone helps you. I hated doing this when I started fostering, a waste of time and nothing to do with how well you care for a child. Utter bollocks, I feel your pain. I find SWs focus on these things and miss the glaring examples of bad care in the children's lives while they are in the care system, not with the parents that let them down but with the carers and services that often fail these children. Yet another demand made of us while neither we nor the children we care for can expect anything from the SWs.