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Foster carers from the Southern Trust have helped create a new learning resource aimed at strengthening working relationships between carers and the professionals who support children and young people. The 'Beyond Providing a Home' resource was developed with foster carers and is based on their experiences and was officially launched at an event attended by foster carers, social workers and colleagues from the Trust's Children's Services.
The resource aims to help staff better understand the foster carer role and work more effectively with carers. It includes a video in which foster carers share their experiences and highlight the importance of communication, inclusion and teamwork, encouraging staff to think about how small changes can make a positive difference to children, young people and foster families.
Millie Bellew, a foster carer involved in the project, said: "We wanted to share our experiences and help people better understand what fostering is really like. Foster carers are involved in every part of a child's life and because of that, we often get to know them in a unique way. We hope this resource helps carers and professionals understand each other better and work together for the benefit of children and young people."
Ryan McNeil, from the Trust's Social Services Learning and Development Team, who worked on the resource, said: "This resource gives foster carers the opportunity to share their experiences in their own words and highlight what makes a difference when professionals and carers work well together.
"We are grateful to everyone who contributed and helped create a resource that will support learning across services."
Colm McCafferty, Director of Children and Young People's and Women's Services and Executive Director of Social Work, said: "The best learning often comes from listening to the people directly involved, and this resource gives foster carers the opportunity to share their experiences and insights.
"Foster carers do far more than provide a home. They provide stability, support and encouragement for children and young people every day, and their experience and knowledge are incredibly valuable.
"I would like to thank everyone involved in developing this resource. Their contribution will help improve practice and, most importantly, support children and young people."
The resource will now be used by the Trust to support learning and strengthen partnership working with foster carers.
