Support and Training
Carers are the most valuable resource Capstone Vision has, so a lot of thought, consultation and effort go into making sure carers have what they need to do their work.
What follows gives you some idea of the support you can expect:
- All those preparing to become foster carers will attend two days of Skills to Foster training followed by one day of CWDC Workshop training. This gives a detailed picture of what fostering is about and looks more closely at developing the skills and knowledge base you will need for a fostering career
- As with many careers, training is seen as an essential part of professional development and Capstone Vision organises a training programme on relevant topics. There are usually 12 training days per year organised at a venue near where you live. Subjects covered include Child Protection, Drug Awareness, Safe Caring, First Aid and Behaviour Management amongst others.
- Each carer has their own social worker allocated by Capstone Vision who will visit and phone as often as is necessary to support the placement. Formal supervision usually happens fortnightly.
- Carers have access by telephone to the Emergency Duty Team 24/7
- We provide Capstone Vision family get-togethers/days out for our carers and all the children in the home
- Where necessary, we provide appropriate support for carers’ own children who may be having a hard time with a particular child in care
- Where it is decided that a particular child would benefit from more formal therapy, carers are always part of that process and will meet with the therapist so that their insights and concerns are heard
- Carers are paid a significant allowance on a weekly basis and receive holiday/respite payments also.
- Carers are given free membership of Fostering Network, a national charitable body that provides training, guidance, insurance and legal support to anyone involved in the fostering sector.
- Support group meetings are held three times per year. These meetings are designed to bring together carers from the local area in a relaxed setting allowing them to network with each other; talk about their experiences and receive guidance from people that will understand; and possibly even make new friends.