As a local fostering agency with a family-focused approach, we know that the support foster parents get really matters. That’s why we’re passionate about giving you the help you need, when you need it most. From foster parent support groups, helping you connect with other like-minded foster parents, to training that we offer all of our foster parents, Clifford House has your best interests at heart at each step of your fostering journey.
Fostering can be a challenging career at times, so it’s crucial that you never feel alone, especially on some of the harder days. We’re passionate about building a community and ensuring that everyone involved in your fostering journey gets the right support at the right time.
So we wanted to take a closer look at the support groups and events that we offer our hardworking foster parents and why this is so beneficial.
Support from Clifford House
We’re proud of the help that we’re able to offer each of our foster parents. This local support is so important, as it means you get the help you need quickly and efficiently. As a small fostering agency, Clifford House is really passionate about the assistance and training that we offer, as we know how valuable it is to our foster parents.
Even things that aren’t strictly classed as a foster parent support group are just different opportunities for foster parents to meet up in the community, get guidance, and connect with the agency.
Carer support forums
One of the main foster parent support sessions that we offer is the foster carer forums. These run bi-monthly, and can be either face-to-face or online, and tend to cover a wide variety of topics. As well as structured forums, we also offer some more informal sessions.
Clifford House is always eager to get feedback from our foster parents to see what they would like us to cover in these carer forums, in terms of what works for them and what they find helpful. Some of the topics that we’ve covered in the past include:
- What does it mean to get constructive feedback?
- Why do children make allegations?
- What does it mean to be a therapeutic foster parent?
Occasionally, we’ll also run sessions on particular topics. Recently, our Registered Manager, Lesley Greenfield, ran a one-day intensive session on specific aspects of trauma-informed practice. We also invite Foster Talk to come and speak to our foster parents each year, as these sessions have proved popular from the feedback we’ve received.
Informal support sessions
Some of the more relaxed, informal support sessions we’ve hosted over the years include coffee and cake mornings, which give foster parents the opportunity to meet up and have a chat. They’re also a brilliant chance to make new friends and share your experiences, tips and tricks with each other.
We’re also lucky enough to work with a local community farm, and foster parents are always welcome to use that space. The farm manager has invited foster parents to use the kitchen area as a space for support if they want to meet up with each other.
Foster parent buddy system
Another form of support we offer here at Clifford House is to pair our new foster parents with those who have more experience. This buddy system gives you even more people to lean on when you need advice and guidance.
Connecting with other, more experienced foster parents in the local community is essential, especially when you’re at the beginning of your fostering journey. At Clifford House, we’re passionate about building local foster carer communities so no one ever feels like they’re on their own.
Annual events for all the family
As well as formal and informal support groups, we also hold a range of annual events so that our foster families can meet up and have fun.
This includes a pantomime around Christmas time, a Christmas meal and quiz, as well as a summer picnic in the park, which also includes games. One of our male foster parents usually runs the games, which are fun for everyone, and they then share a picnic in the local park. One year, this became a summer barbecue at the local rugby club.
There’s always something going on or in the planning stages. Events and activities for all the family are just as important as formal support groups, so we try really hard to find something that appeals to everyone.
Thinking creatively
The staff at Clifford House are always thinking of creative ways to support our hardworking foster parents. We’re always open to suggestions, too, if there’s anything that you want to try. What’s right for one person isn’t always going to be someone else’s cup of tea, so we’re always trying to adapt and modify what we offer.
That’s why feedback is so important to us. We love to hear from our foster parents about what works for them and what they find helpful. For example, we held a tea and cake afternoon in a really nice café that one of our foster parents had recommended. We’ve also held cheese and wine events and tried to implement Men Who Foster sessions.
Trauma-informed training with Clifford House
We take the training that we offer really seriously. Alongside the mandatory training that each of our foster parents has to complete, we offer bespoke trauma- informed training developed in-house by Clifford House staff. This also includes one-day trauma-informed sessions, too, so that you have the tools they need to do an excellent job.
The aim of this training is to empower you to make a meaningful impact on the lives of children in your care. Children who need foster care will come with trauma in some shape or form, as well as behaviours associated with that trauma. This trauma-informed care looks at the reasons behind behaviours and what might have caused them, rather than punishing a child for acting in a certain way.
Trauma can:
- Alter the way a person’s brain develops.
- Become stored in the body as well as in the brain.
- Happen at any age and stage of life.
- Not show symptoms until a later age.
- Take time to understand and heal from.
What other support is available for foster carers?
Aside from our amazing support groups and the other assistance we offer throughout the year, we also provide a range of other helpful benefits to our foster parents, including:
- A 24/7 helpline so that you can get help when you need it most.
- Training that can be tailored to you, delivered in person and via online.
- A generous fostering allowance.
- Free membership to FosterTalk.
- A dedicated supervising social worker, who can act as your first port of call.
Curious about fostering?
Do you want to know more about fostering and what this could look like for you and your family? Fill out an enquiry form on our website or give us a ring on 0800 369 8515 to speak to one of our friendly advisors. They can answer any questions you’ve got about fostering, and talk to you about the process.
As a small local fostering agency, Clifford House is able to offer the support our foster parents need when it matters most.