UPDATE NO 226 16 December 2016

Research on Foster Care Placement Success

Vânia S. Pinto (DPhil Candidate, Department of Education REES Centre for Research on Fostering and Education, University of Oxford) has written:

I am a PhD student at the Rees Centre, Department of Education, University of Oxford and I am conducting a research about foster care placement success. I aim to collect data from foster carers and supervising social workers from across the nine different regions of England.

I have received approval to conduct this research by ADCS (ref: RGE160425), and my study was already included in the ADCS e-bulletin. From the South East, Bracknell Forest, Medway and Milton Keynes decided to collaborate in my study, however, I need the collaboration of one more local authority. Would it be possible for you to circulate the information of my study to the remaining 16 local authorities of your region?

If you have any doubt or if you wish to receive any further information please let me know.

Thank you so much, best regards, Vânia

Perspectives on assessing foster carers: A cross-country comparison of the factors that are associated with successful placements.

Currently looking for local authorities to participate in a research study to improve the understanding of the associations between foster carers’ attributes and placement success. The study will test out standardised measures which could be useful in future for the selection and training process of foster carers.

This research aims to achieve a deeper understanding of successful fostering, through analysing which types of foster carers’ attributes are associated with looked after children’s emotional, social and behavioural outcomes and potential for placement stability. It will look at the relationship between foster carers’ attributes and looked after children’s outcomes in England and in Portugal.

It is expected to involve a total of 325 foster carers in England along with their supervising social workers. Both will be asked to complete questionnaires about foster carers’ attributes and looked after children’s outcomes. A similar process will be followed in Portugal.

If you wish to be involved in this study or if you would like to receive further information please get in touch with Vânia Pinto

Self Evaluation Framework 2016 – now called SE DCS Peer Challenge

This week details of the SE DCS Peer Challenge have been sent out to colleagues participating in the newly titled SE DCS Peer Challenge. (Previously called Self Evaluation Framework 2016). The opening event will be held at Easthampstead Park Conference Centre on 23 January from 9.30-4.30. 

If you have received the explanatory email, please confirm the delegate lists by 7 January. If you have not received an email from Anna Wright this week, and you want to participate in the event on 23 January, please contact Anna on 07415 099245.

Leadership Development

We continue to offer our successful portfolio of Leadership Development Courses all of which have been positively evaluated by delegates.

We are offering LAs the opportunity to train their own trainers for all our courses. Our aim is to increase the capacity and capability across the region  to ensure future sustainability within LAs. Courses can also be delivered with adult services and/or for schools. Please contact Di Smith, details below, if this is of interest to you. 

All courses are run in-house in the LA who provides the venue. Each course is accompanied by a range of training resources for the delegates including a comprehensive handbook. The current courses on offer are as follows and details of each course and the costs for each can be found by downloading the April 2016 Leadership Development Prospectus. 

Coaching to Improve Performance

Embedding a Coaching Culture

Leading Change in Times of Austerity

Step Up to Leadership   

We can also arrange one-to-one coaching, especially to support newly appointed 2nd and 3rd tier managers

If you require further details or wish to book a course please get in touch with Di Smith (contact details below)