Kinship Care autumn 2016

Dates Datesto to remember remember September 2016

Mon

Tue

Wed

7

Thu

Fri

Sat

1

2

8

9 10 Skills to care course

Sun

3

4

5

6 Back to School!

11

12

13 14 Skills to care course

15

16

17 18 Central Library Code Club

19

20 21 Skills to care course

22 23 Kinship Support Group

24 25 Build an Android @ Central Library

26

27 28 Skills to care course

29 30 SGO Support Group

October 2016 Mon 3

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Sun

1

2

7

8

9

10

4 5 Social Work Professionals Event 11 12

6 Older Yet Wiser Training Begins 13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20 21 Kinship Support Group

22

23

24 Half term week off

25

26

27

29

30

31 Halloween

28

TSDS workshops start 1st November

& Special Guardianship

Autumn 2016

The Max Card is available to all Kinship and SGO families. To order your card please con‐ tact the Kinship Care Team on 0113‐2474654.

We no longer deliver cards so we ask you to collect them from Kernel House.

So what is the Max Card?

The Max Card is a discount card for foster families, Special Guardians and families of children with addi onal needs.

Families simply show their Max Card upon entry to a venue in order to obtain free or discounted admission. The scheme is designed to help those families save money on great days out at castles, zoos, bowling alleys and more.

We aim to provide a sense of community through s mula ng learning experiences and enjoyable days out for everyone. We work with local authori es and selected chari es, who administer the cards to eligible families in their areas.

Here are just some of the local a rac ons available to you at a discounted rate: 

Diggerland



Eureka



Harewood House



Hollywood Bowl



Lotherton Hall



Temple Newsham



Tropical World



Thwaite Mills



Jorvik

This years pantomime’s presents……..

All Rudolf has ever wanted to do is to pull Santa’s sleigh. But only the best reindeer get to do that and the best reindeer don’t have red noses.

When you’re the only reindeer with a bright red nose it’s difficult to fit in, but even Rudolf has to go to school – Reindeer School. It’s not just magical sleigh rides and all you can eat carrots; it takes a lot of hard work to make the grade to pull Santa’s sleigh especially when you’re the ‘red nose reject’.

But, with a li le help from The Ugly Duckling, and a gentle reminder of how special he is… who knows what can be achieved when Santa calls?

und aro

s unt o c s di ite n on e webs o a h

form ck out t .co.uk n i

e d r e r ch mo axca UK

m For e y h t w.m ww

25th November ll 31st December ckets on sale now at the box office!

Support Groups 2016 Feel free to come join us, it’s a great opportunity to meet carers alike, have a cup of tea and a biscuit and be the first to know what’s going around Leeds! For more informa on speak to your Supervising Social Worker or come on the day.

The Special Guardianship support group will run on the following days: 29th September October

- Kernel House

- no group

The support group for kinship carers will run on the following days at the Minerva Suite, Trinity Centre 22nd September 20th October

24th November

- Minerva Suite, Trinity Centre

24th November

15th December

- Minerva Suite, Trinity Centre

15th December

Please could all Special Guardianship carers provide us with an up to date email addressed to ensure we can send out any information updates.

For more information on anything in the newsletter please don't hesitate to contact us on 0113-3783429 or email us on kinshipcareadmin@leeds.gov.uk

This winter, Carriageworks Theatre is once again teaming up with one of the country’s leading pantomime producers, Paul Holman Associates, to present the much-loved story of Cinderella.

It’s me to be charmed by the classic rags to riches fairy tale of downtrodden Cinders, forced to serve her jealous step sisters and wicked stepmother. She’s off to the ball, so why don’t you come too?!

With best buddy Bu ons and a magical Fairy Godmother on hand, Cinderella’s certain to escape the misery of her dastardly diva sisters and find true love in the arms of a dashing price. But the course of true love never did run smooth…in fact things may be a li le rocky and raucous before romancing reigns supreme!

2nd December ll 7th January ckets available now at the box office!

Halloween Crafts!

Transform a rubbish bag and some tape into a skeleton you can wear!!

Instruc ons: Lay out the bag with the opening at the bo om. Cut a hole in the top for the head and one in either side for the arms.

With chalk, draw on the shape of a skeleton.

You will need: Black bag White s cky tape Chalk Picture of a skeleton

Cover the chalk lines with the white tape. Tip: to do curves with the tape cut lots of small pieces and overlap them to create a small bit of curve at a me.

SafeBase is for all adoptive families and other permanent carers, including families with older children and teenagers.

The SafeBase Therapeutic Parenting Programme aims to strengthen relationships between parents/carers and their children. SafeBase helps build permanence for children to feel safe and secure.

A 4-day Therapeutic Parenting Programme

The programme has 3 parts: A Family Session The filmed session will take place at an arranged venue close to your home. This is an opportunity to observe the interaction between you and your child. We then arrange a follow up feedback session providing a valuable insight to any difficulties your child may have.

You will need: Plas c bo le lid Black acrylic paint Wiggle eyes Glue or double sided tape 2 black pipe cleaners

On-going Support Groups

Due to an overwhelming response from our carers we will be running another SafeBase Programme towards the end of 2016,

We provide regular support groups which are a chance to meet up and refresh learning from the programme.

If you feel this would be beneficial to you please contact your Supervising Social Worker or the Kinship Care Team on 0113-3783429

Instruc ons: Carefully make a hole in the rim of the lid if you intend to hang the spider. We used a metal kebab skewer.

Paint the lid black and leave to dry. Cut the pipe cleaners in half so that you have four pieces.

Use glue or double sided tape to a ach the middle of the pipe cleaner lengths to the back of the lid. You will end up with eight legs s cking out. S ck on the wiggle eyes.

Instruc ons:

You will need:

Paint the paper cup black and paint the ball green. Leave them to dry. Glue the ball to the cup.

A paper cup A polystyrene ball Black paint Green paint PVA glue Black wool Black paper or card Wiggle eyes Green cra foam Star s ckers

Cut some lengths of black wool for your witch's hair, and glue them to the top of the ball.

Draw around a small plate on to black paper or card. Cut out 1/3 of the circle. Roll into a cone and glue the edges. Put a bit of glue around the inside of the cone and s ck onto the ball.

Cut a rectangle of black paper or card about 10cm by 3 cm to form your witch's arms. Cut two hands from green cra foam and glue them to either end of the rectangle.

This involves both education & practical techniques & will help you to feel more competent & effective as a parent/carer. It will help to reduce family stress levels & bring fun & laughter back into your home. Parents/ Carers who have been on the programme comment that it has helped them to interact with their children more effectively.

IMPORTANT: FINANCIAL INFORMATION YOU NEED TO KNOW AS A KINSHIP FOSTER CARER Please be advised that carers are not eligible to Claim Child Benefit, Child Tax Credit or any other related benefits for a child placed in their care if approved as a Kinship Foster Carer or Caring for a child on a Temporary Fostering Basis. As a kinship foster carer whether fully approved or on a temporary basis, the department provides a weekly maintenance allowance that is chid ‘age related’ for the duration of the placement – this is specifically for the upkeep of the child placed. For up to date information on weekly amounts and allowance levels, please refer to the FN16 (Financial Policy) document which is reviewed annually and sent out to carers or speak to your Supervising Social Worker.

Glue the paper around the back of the cup, so the ends reach around the front.

We strongly advise any kinship foster carer who is in receipt of Child Benefit, Child Tax Credit or Related Benefits for any child placed in their care to stop claiming these benefits. It is regarded as fraud by the government to knowingly claim child benefit, child tax credits or related benefits in addition to fostering allowance. If you have any concerns/queries about this, please contact your Supervising Social Worker or the Kinship Care Team Manager on 0113 247 4654.

S ck on the wiggle eyes and add a green foam nose. Decorate with star s ckers. Put your witch on display!

NB: This does not apply to Special Guardians, Special Guardians can claim Child Benefit and Child Tax Credit if applicable.

Personal Education Plan Review

Summer in Leeds

As many of you may be aware, the current Personal Educa on Plan (PEP) and process requires reviewing. As part of this development the Virtual School has consulted with foster carers and facilitated a session with schools, carers and social workers to gather opinions and feedback on how the process may be improved to be er reflect the needs of the young person and how the ‘corporate parent’ can work together to support educa onal progress and achievement.

Some of the key areas of discussion have been around gathering foster carers and child’s views and how best to keep the document live. We have also considered how these mee ngs can be more produc ve by ensuring that essen al progress and a ainment informa on is captured and available prior to the PEP mee ng.

The Kinship Care Team would like to say a special thank you to Maxine Kelly for all her efforts in organising this summers events for our carers and their children.

We would welcome any other views, comments and sugges ons you may have. Please send them to the Virtual School inbox: virtualschool@leeds.gov.uk

Pupil Premium Plus Grant Payments

Older Yet Wiser Workshops Free 2-hour prac cal group workshops over 6 weeks Seacro Children’s Centre

Do you ever look a er your grandchildren?

Are they 8 years old or under?

Can you a end all six free workshops?

South Parkway, Seacro , Leeds LS14 6EP Thursdays 10 am – 12 noon

Find out more about:

October 6, 13, 20, November 3, 10, & 17, 2016

*Improving rela onships *Our brains and emo ons

Bookings: contact ChildsSide on 07519860089

*Engaging coopera on

Or Email: info@childsside.com

*Coping with stress

Pupil Premium Plus (PP+) Summer Term grant payments (for Leeds children and young people who are currently in care) have been made to schools during June.

The Pupil Premium Plus grant payment is allocated to schools/se ngs by the Head of the Virtual School and a looked a er child is eligible for a no onal grant payment of £1900 in the financial year 2016-17. Leeds currently splits the full grant payment across the summer term (£634), autumn term (£633) and spring term (£633). Children looked a er by other local authori es may be subject to different funding arrangements.

Designated teachers may need to liaise with the school business manager or finance officer to help them iden fy who the payment has been allocated for. Children on Special Guardianship Orders who were previously on Care Orders and looked a er by the local authority should s ll be s ll en tled to Pupil Premium. Every school should have a Designated Teacher for Looked A er Children who have the responsibility from promo ng the educa onal needs of children on Looked A er and ex Looked A er Children and young people. The Designated Teacher role is o en fulfilled by the school SENCO (Special Educa onal Needs Co-ordinator).

It’s A Double Celebration for Leeds Boxer Josh Warrington th

Josh Warrington has every reason to smile. On July 30 in front of a packed Leeds Arena of 9000 people, Josh successfully knocked out opponent Patrick Hyland in the 9th round, winning the World Title Eliminator Fight.

No doubt one of the proudest spectators at the fight was Josh’s dad Sean O’Hagan. Sean is a kinship carer, and together with his partner Miranda they look a er Sean’s young grandson. Prior to becoming a kinship carer, Sean was a boxing trainer, for Josh and other young boxers. Sean said that he is s ll takes a very ac ve role in Josh’s training but combines this with caring for his grandson. He admits that it can be a difficult balance at mes ‘but it’s l worth it’.

Willow Young Carers Service What is Willow?

Willow is a service for young carers aged 5-17 living in Leeds. We support children who are caring for, or affected by, a family member with a physical illness, disability or mental health issue.

What support does Willow offer?

We work alongside young carers to develop their skills and strengths to achieve their own goals. Young carers may be supported by Willow to reach their goals in a variety of ways including: 

One to one and group support

Sean said that the recent fight was ‘very exci ng’ and said that ‘Josh dominated from start to finish’



Speaking to other agencies and professionals about help

Just 3 weeks a er the fight, Josh and his partner Natasha had a ‘fairy tale wedding’. The couple have been in a rela onship for 7 years, and were married at Allerton Castle. Sean described the wedding as ‘amazing and wonderful’.



Ac vity days



Support around educa on, training and employment



Raising awareness of young carer issues



Helping parents and carers to improve the health and wellbeing of their children.

Sean and the family are hoping that the celebra ons will con nue as he explained, ‘Josh’s next fight will be at the end of the year, and will be for the World Title’. This is definitely one to look out for!

Kinship Service Staffing Assessment Team: Brenda Dring—Manager Social Workers: David Stead Gina Davies Hazel Rogers Helen Par ngton Kevin Harley-Roberts Leicia Price Lauren Brooks Michelle Graham Riana Volker Katerina Iacovou—Social Work Assistant

Admin Team: Abbie Richardson Rachel Thompson Susan Abosch

Sessional Workers: Hayley Hartley Lisa Murray Sharpe Shirelle Mcfarlane

Please note the disguises in the photo below

Referral Anyone can make a referral to Willow.

Simply call on 0113-2622851 and ask for a referral form.

Or the form can be found at www.barnardos.org.uk/willow.

Training Opportunities

Support Team: Wendy Sanderson— Manager Social Workers: Bev Hudson Bev Sanders Brenda Nicholas Carly Williams Gill Morgan Lisa Smith Rita Okpala Stephen Mirfin Social Work Assistants: Lynne Barton Rachel Tetley A number of students will also be joining the team over the following year to complete their placements!

TSDS Training - all kinship foster carers must complete this training within 18 months of being approved. The course is a 2 hour weekly session for 6 weeks beginning on 1st November.

We have two excellent training programmes running throughout the autumn which are open to any carers who would like to a end. Both courses are held at Kernel House, Killingbeck Drive, (opposite Asda on York Road), LS14 6UF Skills to care - A four part course ran over four weeks of two hour sessions beginning Friday the 9th of September 10 – 12am.

For more information or to book a place contact us on 0113-3783429

Introduction to Social Work Professionals On Tuesday 4th October Leeds City Council will be holding an evening of talks for carers where a range of professionals will explain their role.

The planned mes are as follows: 6:30 - 7:15pm Helen Pollard & Louise Tatchell In‐ dependent Reviewing Officer 7:15 - 7:45pm Shelia Looker Looked A er Chil‐ dren’s Team 7:45 - 8:15pm Mechelle Holley Independent Visi‐ tors Service 8:15 - 8:45pm Fostering Reviewing Officers

Venue: Carriage works, Millennium Square, Leeds City Centre.

Places are very limited so please only book onto a course if you are confident of your ability to a end, tel: 0113 3950270 to book.

There are six Specialist Inclusive Learning Centres (SILCs) in Leeds. One in each of the five areas of the city and a further SILC for children with severe Behavioural, Emo onal and Social Difficul es (BESD SILC). A SILC school will provide teaching to children and young people who have severe and complex difficul es and are unable to access mainstream provision.

If your child is func oning at a higher level and is academically able to access mainstream school but s ll requires specialist staff, then they may be able to a end a partnership school. A partnership school has teachers that are employed by the SILC but work in a mainstream school.

A further op on is a resourced provision, these are based in mainstream schools and each one has its own specialist area, for example; speech, language communica on, moderate learning difficul es and severe learning difficul es.

Children are fully included in the mainstream school, whilst receiving the specialist interven ons they need to address their individual needs.

Please see below a list of schools in Leeds that offer specialist provision.

Resourced Schools: Allerton Grange High Allerton High Gledhow Primary Roundhay High School Brigshaw High Corpus Chris Catholic College Grimes Dyke Primary School John Smeaton Community High Parkland Children’s Centre Parkland Primary Richmond Hill Shakespeare Children’s Centre Shakespeare Primary Whitkirk Primary Co ngley Primary Middleton Primary New Bewerley New Bewerley Children’s Centre Windmill Children’s Centre Hollybush Children’s Centre Swallow Hill Hawksworth Wood Primary Ireland Wood Primary Ralph Thorseby High

SILC Primary Schools: Hearing Impaired Speech and Language Difficul es Speech and Language Difficul es Specific Learning Difficul es Complex Physical and Medical Difficul Severe Learning Difficul es Speech and Language Difficul es Severe Learning Difficul es Generic 0-5 Moderate Learning Difficul es Complex Communica on Difficul es Hearing Impaired 0-5 Hearing Impaired Complex Physical and Medical Difficul Hearing Impaired Speech and Language Difficul es Complex Physical and Medical Difficul Generic 0-5 Generic 0-5 Generic 3-5 Speech and Language Difficul es Speech and Language Difficul es Complex Physical and Medical Difficul Complex Physical and Medical Difficul es/ Visually Impaired

Kippax Ash Tree Whitkirk es

Windmill Holybush Brudenell Rawdon St Peters

es

SILC High Schools: Boston Spa School

es

Temple Moor Rodillian School Farnley Park Priesthorpe

es

Allerton High Benton Park Guiesley