Search for Learning and Development Services and Pathways

What is it? This is a new dedicated Induction, Training and Support Group for Connected Carers, Including Special Guardians
Why are we running it? We recognise that your situation is very different to that of main stream foster carers. The new role that you find yourself in now, is often not a pathway you may have planned on taking. Unlike foster carers, you are thrown in at the deep end without having had a course to prepare you for what lies ahead, and how ‘The System’ works. This course aims to do that as well as recognise the particular difficulties that you as ‘Kinship Carers’, whatever your role, face.
How will it run? There will be six sessions, each lasting approximately 2-2.5 hours, which will take place over the course of a year. It is hoped that you will attend all six, but as new carers arrive, they can join the programme at any stage. The sessions will be led in the main by Social workers from our team. There will be light refreshment of tea and coffee provided at each session, but it would be rather nice if we could take it in turns to bring and share some food. The first session will be catered for, but we will discuss how this works for future sessions at the end of our first meeting.

This session will focus on 'Keeping in Touch'.  The legal system refers to this as Contact, but this is a word that we know our children and young people do not like, so are trying to avoid it.

A dugs and alcohol worker will be facilitating a support group for foster carers, special guardians and adopters who currently have young people misusing substances. The course will cover: Why do young people take risks? Confidence to try techniques to help your young person explore why they are using substances. How to look after your young person if they are using substances. Currently no date is planned but a waiting list is being collated so that when there is enough interest this session will be organised. Please state in the 'Special requirements' section whether a daytime or evening session is your preference.

What is it? This is a new dedicated Induction, Training and Support Group for Connected Carers, Including Special Guardians
Why are we running it? We recognise that your situation is very different to that of main stream foster carers. The new role that you find yourself in now, is often not a pathway you may have planned on taking. Unlike foster carers, you are thrown in at the deep end without having had a course to prepare you for what lies ahead, and how ‘The System’ works. This course aims to do that as well as recognise the particular difficulties that you as ‘Kinship Carers’, whatever your role, face.
How will it run? There will be six sessions, each lasting approximately 2-2.5 hours, which will take place over the course of a year. It is hoped that you will attend all six, but as new carers arrive, they can join the programme at any stage. The sessions will be led in the main by Social workers from our team. There will be light refreshment of tea and coffee provided at each session, but it would be rather nice if we could take it in turns to bring and share some food. The first session will be catered for, but we will discuss how this works for future sessions at the end of our first meeting.

This session will focus on the transition of your role.

This training is delivered by specialist staff from South Gloucestershire Council & North Bristol Trust. It will draw heavily on case studies from the field to ensure delivery remains rooted in the context of the specific challenges & difficulties experienced by looked after children & young people.

The Virtual School value the time they spend with carers, and to enable this to be an even more successful partnership between school and home, would like to have more sessions available for meeting you during the course of the year. Each session will have a focus, but as ever, if there are topics we haven’t identified that you would find more helpful, please let Catherine Charlton know, by emailing: catherine.charlton@southglos.gov.uk

In this 1 day training, aimed at all supporters and allies of people who self-harm, you will be provided with the opportunity to: - Understand what self-harm is, and consider why someone might use this strategy as a way of coping with their experiences. - Explore some myths and the impact of stigma for people who self-harm - Hear about what people who hurt themselves have said about self-harm, and what they have found helpful in professional and personal responses - Explore some of the shared challenges faced by supporters of people who self-harm from a wide variety of settings - Gain knowledge and information in order to build confidence when supporting someone who self-harms, including harm minimisation and safer self-harm approaches - Consider your own wellbeing and emotional health needs in a supportive environment. The standard charge for this course is £60. Please refer to our Course Charges on the Home page for information on discounts and exemptions

Total Respect is a national training course, designed with the help of young people in care, about being in care. It aims to help adults understand the needs and experiences of children and young people in care, how we can listen to children and young people, act on their wishes and feelings, and what we need to do to make sure this is effective. Total Respect is unique in that care-experienced young people co-deliver the training. It is, therefore, an excellent opportunity for staff and counsellors to learn from young people themselves whilst developing their skills and knowledge to actively promote childrenðs rights and participation.

This ½ day training course is organised by South Gloucestershire’s Early Help Partnership Support Team and is targeted at professionals working directly with children and families. Recognising when families need early support is everyone’s responsibility and this multi-agency course aims to give professionals the opportunity to understand more about Early Help and how early intervention can help to improve outcomes for children and their families. This course will also cover basic information about the Early Help/ SAFeh assessment and the processes and procedures for making a referral to South Gloucestershire’s Children’s Services.

This 1-day course is for people working in an environment that involves disclosures of sexual violence/ sexual abuse. It Covers: - Barriers to disclosure -Current Sexual Violence Legislation -Discussions About Safeguarding -Information about trauma, flashbacks, and grounding techniques -The support needs of survivors of rape and sexual violence - Services that are available for survivors of rape and sexual violence. The standard charge for this course is £80 per day. Please refer to our Course Charges on the Home page for information on discounts and exemptions.

Children naturally go through loss and change but for some, especially those bereaved, it can be very difficult.

When children come into care or are adopted, it is only natural that they will feel a sense of loss, and if the separation from the birth family is looking to be over a longer period of time, it is likely that they will feel a sense of bereavement too. Having an understanding of this can help you to better cope with the difficult emotions that our young people are trying to deal with as well as give you strategies for how to communicate with your child or young person.

This overview of loss links to children of different age groups and provides suggestions for working with children and families.