Congratulations

Congratulations to V and L following Panel Approval

4 January 2011 16:00

Both V and L feel that their vocation is with fostering and that they have the skills and aptitude to achieve excellent results with some of the most damaged children in the care system. Much of V's past work involved assessing need, which has proved very useful in her fostering role in providing high quality daily records. V has a professional approach to fostering, an ability to pass on relevant information to others and to work well in partnership with other professionals.
L provides an excellent role model to children and young people, who find both L and V very easy to talk to. L would be keen to engage interested children in some of the physical activities, which are his hobby as well as his employment. He is also a qualified masseuse.
V has a very gentle approach and both she and L have a non threatening and non judgemental attitude. V is patient, consistent with her boundaries and has stamina and 'stickability' with placements, backed by L's support. Both are able to set very clear, fair and firm boundaries but do so in an informed way, tailoring their approach to individual need and circumstances, therapeutically driven and mindful of trauma history. L is a problem solver and very calm in crises.
Both have past experience of interacting positively with foster children's birth family members and work well to contact plans. Both are prepared to offer a placement for whatever duration to meet a child's therapeutic needs. Previously they particularly enjoyed working with the younger age range, feeling that working therapeutically with a younger child offers a better chance to make a real difference in healing that child's traumas, and research would back this. They achieved positive change in the sibling placement where the needs of the five and seven year olds were very intense and complex. However, they are equally competent in looking after older children and would consider an older child if the match is suitable.