The Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) role was created to provide scrutiny and oversight of the planning for children in care and to challenge local authorities when they feel a child’s best interests are not being served. However, critics say that IROs are too close to those they are meant to hold to account. Jerry Lonsdale […]
New website launched to support foster carers
A new ‘Food in Care’ website has been launched to provide practical support for those who look after young people in care. The website provides foster carers with a tool to support them with a range of food behaviour challenges that they may face with children in their care. The website can be used by […]
October Tax Deadlines for Foster Carers
Foster carers are classed as being self-employed by HMRC and need to register for self-assessment. Foster carers who are approved in the 2015/16 tax year (6 April 2015 to 5 April 2016) need to file a 2015-16 tax return. Carers have until 5 October to register as self-employed. To register, please click here. A paper […]
Black History Month – more foster carers needed
October is Black History month, and Fosterline wants to use this event to raise awareness of the need for more black and minority ethnic foster carers to meet the needs of children in care. People like Patrice Thomas who has been fostering for 31 years, caring for 156 children and been awarded an MBE by […]
New Year for Islamic and Jewish Communities
Could October Change your life as well as a Child’s life? We have just moved from summer into autumn which is evident all around us by the change in colours, weather and scenery. For some this marks the beginning of a new year. Both the Islamic and Jewish communities began their New Year celebrations on […]
New ‘Thinking About Fostering?’ book from CoramBAAF
CoramBAAF’s new book is a definitive guide to fostering in the UK. The book explores everything you need to know about fostering and what it involves, including the types of children who need to be fostered, why they need a foster home, what happens when a child moves in, and the emotional and practical realities […]
Anti-bullying week in England
The Anti-Bullying Alliance has published free resources for use during Anti-Bullying Week in England, which runs from 14-18 November 2016. These include lesson plans, assemblies and activities. Source: Anti-Bullying Alliance Date: 27 September 2016 […]
Talks to stem demand for care applications
Children & Young People Now reports that the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass) is working with the Ministry of Justice to “stem demand” in the number of applications being made for children to be taken into care. To read the article click here. For more information see Cafcass annual report and […]
Care Leavers Left Hungry and in Debt – England
Research published by the Children’s Society finds that large numbers of young people leaving care are having their benefits stopped, pushing many into debt and destitution. ‘The Cost of Being Care-Free’, found that 4,000 benefit sanctions have been applied to care leavers in the last two years, making them at least three times more likely […]
Child sex abuse inquiry will continue ‘without delay’
The inquiry into child sexual abuse will continue “without delay” and before a new chair is appointed, Home Secretary Amber Rudd has said, after the resignation of Dame Lowell Goddard. Ms Rudd thanked the New Zealand high court judge for her contribution to setting up the inquiry. The investigation was set up in March 2015 […]