Reading foster carers recognised for outstanding contribution and long service
Brighter Futures for Children’s independent fostering agency (IFA) staged the online awards and dinner evening on Tuesday 8 June.
Foster carers were gifted a takeaway dinner of their choice to enjoy during the celebration of their fantastic achievements.
The fostering team were joined by special guests, including Reading’s Executive Director of Children’s Services Deborah Glassbrook, to celebrate foster carers who have been fostering for between five and 25 years, and newer recruits.
Ms Glassbrook said: “It is a vocation for our foster carers to make a lasting and positive impact on children and young people in care from Reading and elsewhere. We are so proud of them all.”
Brighter Futures for Children’s IFA, which is not for profit, also congratulated foster carers who are new to the team and have completed the required training, support and development standards, which is an essential milestone for newly approved foster carers.
Fresh for this year, the IFA introduced a new award for Outstanding Contribution to Foster Care. BFfC IFA staff were asked to nominate foster carers who, they believe, had gone above and beyond to support a child or young person in their care.
Nicola Gilham, Chair of the BFFC IFA committee, who presented the awards on the evening, said afterwards: “The number of nominations received for outstanding contribution demonstrates how respected and valued our foster carers are.
“Congratulations to all the foster carers who received an award. It was wonderful to be able to thank them for the vital role they play in the lives of Reading’s children and young people in care.”
Marjorie Small (pictured above) was one of three foster carers who received the outstanding contribution award. Marjorie has fostered with BFfC for four years and was nominated for her exceptional care of a young boy with complex needs.
The social worker who nominated her said: “Ms Small is a fantastic advocate for the young man in her care, especially when it comes to education.”
Ms Small said: “It was a privilege to receive this award. Every child deserves a loving home, and a forever home. It is always so rewarding to be a foster carer and it is an honour to be recognised for doing a good job. I wouldn’t change it for the world!”
If you would like to learn more about fostering in Reading visit: www.readingfostering.co.uk
Brighter Futures for Children’s fostering team take on the #JerusalemaChallenge
What better way to spend a sunny morning than in a stunning Reading park, learning the steps and ‘moves’ to take on the ‘Jerusalema dance challenge’.
That’s what staff and foster carers from Brighter Futures for Children did recently, joined by children and young people in care, who were on hand as unofficial teachers!
Fostering teams across the UK have been challenging each other to perform the dance routine, which went viral last year, to raise awareness of fostering and the fantastic opportunities it brings to those who decide to foster.
The song behind the dance means “go with me, protect me and take me home”, which resonates with the role of foster carers, who welcome a child or young person into their home until they can either go back to their family, stay in settled foster care or are adopted.
After being challenged by Foster4 Cheshire West, Chester and Halton and Warrington, Brighter Futures for Children’s fostering team danced away with the stunning backdrop of Caversham Court Gardens. They have now passed the baton and challenged Havering Council’s fostering team to do the same.
You can watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmgguRRT0WY
Di Smith, Board Chair of Brighter Futures for Children, said: “The Jerusalema dance challenge is a fabulous, fun way to spread the word about fostering.
“Well done to everyone who took part in the Reading challenge which demonstrates the wonderful spirit of our foster carers. I hope the video is enjoyed by many people and helps raise awareness of our need for more local foster carers.”
Could you rise to the challenge and become a foster carer in Reading? We’d love to hear from you and, no, you don’t need to be able to dance!
To learn more about fostering, visit www.readingfostering.co.uk, call 0118 469 3020 or email foster@brighterfuturesforchildren.org.
Invitation to deliver summer activities for Reading children
Organisations across Reading are being invited to bid for funding to provide activities for disadvantaged children throughout the summer holidays.
Brighter Futures for Children (BFfC), which provides education and children’s services in Reading, is co-ordinating the programme as part of the government’s Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme.
The company is interested in hearing from a range of providers who could offer enriching activities and healthy food for young people who are eligible for benefits-related free school meals.
The Department for Education is making up to £220m available to local areas to deliver the HAF programme over the Easter, summer and Christmas holidays in 2021.
BFfC is looking to work with a range of providers across the borough, including community-based and voluntary organisations, existing holiday care providers, schools, childminders, sports clubs and creative and performing arts groups.
Funding will be considered for organisations that can prove they can deliver:
- High quality enriching activities which includes at least one hour of physical activity
- A healthy, nutritious meal
- Skills, activities/classes aimed at helping children and their parents to make healthy and affordable choices
- A positive legacy that lasts longer than the experience
Deborah Glassbrook, Reading’s Director of Children’s Services, said: “The Holiday Activity and Food programme is an important scheme for children and young people who have some disadvantages, so we want to make sure we can offer the best possible range of activities.
“We are looking for local organisations that are able to provide fun and enriching activities and nutritious food which will allow children and young people in Reading to be more active and eat more healthily over the summer break.
“I know there is a huge variety of organisations in Reading that would be able to provide excellent activities for our young people and I would urge them to contact us now.”
Further information for potential providers of holiday activities can be found at: https://brighterfuturesforchildren.org/about/holiday-activities-and-food-programme/
Any organisations interested in working with the HAF progamme, please contact: Ciaran.delaney@brighterfuturesforchildren.org
Note to editors
For more details about the Holiday Activities and Food programme, visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/holiday-activities-and-food-programme/holiday-activities-and-food-programme-2021
Foster Care Fortnight: Why keeping children in care rooted in Reading makes a difference
Brighter Futures for Children’s Independent Fostering Agency (IFA) is encouraging the people of Reading to learn more about being a foster carer during Foster Care Fortnight, which runs from 10-23 May 2021.
In Reading we have, on average, 270 children and young people in our care. We would like as many of them as possible to stay in the borough with a loving family.
Where it is safe to do so, children and young people have told us they would prefer to be looked after close to home. This means they can stay at their school, be near their friends and, if possible, have contact with their family. This instils a sense of belonging and minimises disruption to their lives.
We do not have enough local foster carers in Reading so some young people, like 15-year-old Nick*, have had to move away.
Nick had the idea of planting a cherry blossom tree in central Reading, to help himself and other young people in care to feel ‘rooted’ in the town. We collaborated with Nick and Ethical Reading, Reading Borough Council and Reading Tree Wardens to make that idea a reality.
Planted outside Reading Town Hall in February 2020, the Rooted in Reading tree is a powerful symbol of connection for Reading children and young people in care, especially those living further away.
Throughout Foster Care Fortnight, Brighter Futures for Children’s IFA is encouraging people to visit the tree to read the lovely messages that young people have shared about why it is important for them to stay rooted in Reading.
Foster carer Rachel* said: “Children who are in foster care experience so much change and loss in their lives. Helping them to remain in Reading means they can stay connected to friends and makes things like staying at their school and having time with family members much easier. They need as much stability and security as we can provide – being rooted in Reading can really make a difference.”
Di Smith, Board Chair of Brighter Futures for Children, said: “Our wonderful foster carers play a vital role in the lives of children and young people in care and I would like to thank them all.
“We want to keep Reading children in Reading and we need more local people to become foster carers to make that happen.
“I would urge anyone who has thought about foster caring to contact us to find out more. As well as being a rewarding role, our foster carers receive a great package of training and support and become part of a friendly network of fellow carers.”
Brighter Futures for Children staff and foster carers are hosting a stall on Broad Street on Thursday 20 May and an online information session on Tuesday 25 May at 5.30pm, for people to learn more about fostering. To join and find out how you could help keep a young person, like Nick, rooted in Reading, visit our website at www.readingfostering.co.uk, calling 0118 469 3020 or email foster@brighterfuturesforchildren.org.
*Names have been changed to protect identities.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
Brighter Futures for Children took over the responsibility for the delivery of children’s services in Reading, including children’s social care, early help, education services (including SEND) in December 2018 and the fostering service from March 2019.
Foster carer Rachel* is available for media interviews. Please contact David.millward1@brighterfuturesforchildren.org to arrange.
Brighter Futures for Children becomes Fostering Friendly employer
Brighter Futures for Children (BFfC), which delivers children’s services in Reading, is delighted to announce it has become a Fostering Friendly employer, giving extra support to staff who foster children and young people.
Ahead of Foster Care Fortnight, 10-23 May, BFfC launched the scheme, which is accredited by The Fostering Network, in recognition of the valuable contribution foster carers make to our society and especially the lives of children in care in Reading.
Brighter Futures for Children has its own Independent Fostering Agency and is actively seeking foster carers from within Reading
Di Smith, Board Chair at Brighter Futures for Children, said: “We are keen to encourage fostering in Reading and understand that foster carers who work with us may need some flexibility in order to meet the needs of their fostered child.
“Foster carers who work with BFfC will be offered paid leave to attend training or meetings relating to fostering. Employees will also be offered paid time off when a child is first brought into their care to give them the chance to welcome and settle them into their new home.
“We hope this will offer some support to our current staff who foster and encourage others to consider fostering alongside their career at Brighter Futures for Children.”
If any Reading-based company would like to learn more about becoming a Fostering Friendly organisation to support local people to foster local children, please contact the Brighter Futures for Children IFA: foster@brighterfuturesforchildren.org
Find out more information about the Fostering Friendly scheme at: https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/get-involved/championing-fostering/fostering-friendly
Brighter Futures for Children chosen as research partner in safeguarding study
A £1.9m project studying safeguarding risks faced by young people outside their home will look at innovative work being carried out by Brighter Futures for Children (BFfC).
The Innovate project is exploring new ways of combating safeguarding risks such as sexual and criminal exploitation, peer-on-peer abuse and gang affiliation.
Researchers will be analysing trauma-informed practice implemented by BFfC within its service delivery. This recognises the impact traumatic experiences in childhood may have on the life of a young person and emphasises resilience and recovery.
The study, led by the University of Sussex and funded by the Economic and Social Research Council, will also look at the work of five other organisations across the country.
The focus will not just be on whether and how different approaches lead to beneficial and effective services in the six organisations but on what factors stimulate innovation in social care and enable it to flourish.
Di Smith, Board Chair of Brighter Futures for Children, said: “We are excited to be selected as one of the partners in this study which are at the forefront of developing new ways of supporting children and young people.
“Brighter Futures for Children is implementing the trauma-informed approach as an innovative way of addressing the needs of young people experiencing risk or harm in Reading. We are looking forward to working with the research team and sharing how this approach is being successfully put into practice at BFfC, schools and other partner organisations.”
Find more information about the The Innovate Project at: https://theinnovateproject.co.uk/
View the press release from the University of Sussex at: http://www.sussex.ac.uk/staff/newsandevents/?id=55292
First choice primary school places offered to 90% of Reading children
Ninety per cent of Reading parents have been offered their first choice of primary school for their child this year.
Brighter Futures for Children (BFfC), which delivers education services in Reading, has ensured all primary school pupils in the borough have a place for September.
The number of first choice offers has increased from 83% last year and 97% of Reading parents have been offered one of their top three preferences, compared with 95% in 2020. Only two per cent of parents were not offered one of their preferences compared with three per cent last year.
BFfC received 1,804 applications for primary school places this year compared with 2,042 in 2020. However, the number of applications received after the deadline has brought the figure close to the forecast number of 1,948. Late applications have still to be processed
There were 145 pupils who needed an infant to junior school transfer this year. Reading has only two schools for which this transfer is necessary and 100% of on-time applicants received their first preference.
Prof Dr Kate Reynolds, Director of Education at BFfC, said: “We are pleased to be able to offer so many Reading families a place in one of their top three primary school choices this year and delighted that 90% have received their first choice.
“Pupil numbers can fluctuate year to year for various reasons and I would like to thank our school admissions team for ensuring all primary school pupils in the borough have a place for September.
“I would also like to personally thank Reading’s brilliant primary schools for the amazing work they have done for their pupils and families throughout the pandemic. It will be such an exciting time for all children starting at their primary schools in September and I send them our very best wishes.”
Reading primary school place offers 2021/2020
| 2021
(%) |
2020
(%) |
2021
(pupil numbers) |
2020
(pupil numbers) |
|
| 1st preference offers | 89.73 | 83.44 | 1625 | 1753 |
| 2nd preference offers | 5.36 | 8.85 | 97 | 186 |
| 3rd preference offers | 1.66 | 2.76 | 30 | 58 |
| 4th preference offers | 0.5 | 1.19 | 9 | 25 |
| Pupils offered divert | 2.15 | 3.33 | 39 | 70 |
Parents can find more details of primary school admissions at: https://brighterfuturesforchildren.org/schools/admissions/primary/
Children’s company commits to agile way of working
The company which provides early help, education and children’s services in the busy Berkshire town has made a commitment to allow staff to choose when, where and how they work, in accordance with their roles.
Agile working allows individuals to decide whether they base themselves in the company’s town centre office Monday to Friday, work mostly from home or set themselves up in a café or other location a couple of days a week.
Senior leaders at BFfC supported the move to more flexible working arrangements after seeing how successfully staff had adapted to providing vital services to families in Reading throughout the pandemic.
The company’s agile working statement of commitment says staff are trusted to deliver, perform and contribute to the highest standards and that flexibility is the norm and not the exception.
It goes on to say performance will be judged on results rather than presence and people will have the opportunity to lead balanced and healthy lives.
Di Smith, Board Chair of Brighter Futures for Children, said: “Agile working is a win-win for everyone as it allows staff to work in a way which suits them and enables them to perform their best for the company, and ultimately for the children and young people of Reading.
“Spending time and money sitting in traffic or standing in a train carriage during peak travel times makes no sense when work can be carried out just as effectively elsewhere or at a different time of day. Agile working also underpins our commitment to inclusion and reduces our impact on the environment.
“Of course, some roles are more suited to agile working than others, but we believe a flexible approach will help create more motivated and productive teams and individuals to deliver the best possible services to Reading’s children and young people.”
Agile Working was introduced following a pilot in which 93% of BFfC staff involved said they would like to continue working from home after lockdown, and 83% said it provided them with greater flexibility and freedom of choice.
Brighter Futures for Children, a not-for-profit company, wholly owned by, but independent of, Reading Borough Council, came out of government intervention in February following continued improvements to its services.
Find out more about Brighter Futures for Children and career opportunities at: https://brighterfuturesforchildren.org/.
Celebrating the contribution of Reading’s young carers
The incredible work of young carers in Reading will be celebrated by Brighter Futures for Children (BFfC) on Young Carers Action Day tomorrow (Tuesday 16 March).
It has been a particularly difficult year for young carers because of the coronavirus pandemic, resulting in less social interaction with friends and family.
BFfC’s youth workers have been holding a weekly virtual youth club for young carers throughout the year and are holding a special session tomorrow.
Young people with caring responsibilities make a vital contribution to their family and the local community all year round but also need access to help and support themselves.
The weekly virtual sessions held by BFfC’s targeted youth worker team give young carers a chance to stay in touch with their peers and speak to members of the team about any concerns they have. They can also share their thoughts and feelings or just talk about what is going on in their lives.
Youth workers have also been contacting parents throughout the year to offer a listening ear and signpost to support where needed, including the offer of food parcels during the school holidays.
The team are sending out party packs to the young carers who take part in the virtual weekly sessions to hold a special get-together for Young Carers Action Day. These will include festival items, such as glow sticks and bunting, a drawing pad and game.
They will also receive Just Eat gift vouchers to allow them to have something to eat while taking part in a quiz and other fun activities during the session.
Blank cards and envelopes will also be sent out to give young people the chance to write down their thoughts and feelings around what it is like being a young carer and how the last year has been different for them. They can then be sent to the youth workers.
Deborah Glassbrook, Director of Children’s Services in Reading, said: “Our wonderful young carers make an amazing contribution to their families and the community. I would like to take this opportunity to thank them all.
“The last year has been a difficult one for all children and even more so for young people with caring responsibilities who have been unable to get out and meet friends and other family members during lockdown.
“Young Carers Action Day is an opportunity to mark the incredible work of young carers but our youth workers are there to support them all year round.”
The Targeted Youth Team can be contacted by phone on 0118 937 6545 or email to ryp@brighterfuturesforchildren.org.
More information about the youth service, support for young carers, mental health advice and much more can be found on the Young People Zone on the Brighter Futures for Children website at: https://brighterfuturesforchildren.org/young-peoples-zone/young-carers/.
Share a story for World Book Day 2021
Brighter Futures for Children (BFfC) is aiming to create a virtual bookshelf for Reading’s children and its Board Chair will be reading one of the amazing stories recommended for World Book Day on Thursday, 4 March.
BFfC Board Chair Di Smith will be reading Doughnuts for a Dragon, by Adam and Charlotte Guillain and illustrated by Lee Wildish, which will be available to watch on its website www.brighterfuturesforchildren.org on World Book Day.
This year’s theme for World Book Day is ‘Share a story’ and we are encouraging schools and families across Reading to take part.
The annual event is a worldwide celebration of books and storytelling and aims to promote reading for pleasure among children and young people.
We have suggested to schools that they encourage pupils to record a short video clip sharing the title of the book they like the most, showing their favourite page and talking about why they enjoy it so much.
They can post the videos on school websites or social media which BFfC can then share on its social media channels. The suggestions will also be used to start building up a virtual bookshelf of Reading children’s favourite stories.
As part of our bid to get Reading reading we will also be promoting World Book Day throughout the week on social media: @BFfC_Child on Twitter, @readingyoungpeople on Instagram and @BFfCChild on Facebook.
Prof Dr Kate Reynolds, Director of Education at Brighter Futures for Children, said: “Reading books is a great joy and World Book Day is a brilliant way to engage children and young people in this activity.
“Even very young children can be introduced to the pleasure of reading by having a wonderful story read to them. I look forward to seeing video clips from children talking about their favourite books.
“There are a huge range of resources for children of all ages on the World Book Day website with lots of ideas for fun, free and easy ways to take part.”
Reading Library Service will also be participating in World Book Day with a £1 book token being given to every child who borrows a book during March from Central, Caversham and Tilehurst libraries (while stocks last). They can be swapped for one of the £1 titles available from participating bookstores when they reopen or used against any full price book or audiobook.
A specially commissioned ‘story hunt’ from local storyteller John Kirk will also be available online with a medieval themed tale featuring Reading Abbey, in recognition of the abbey’s 900th anniversary this year.
Cllr Ashley Pearce, Reading’s Lead Councillor for Education, said: “World Book Day is a great opportunity for children and young people of all ages to come together and celebrate the joy of reading for pleasure.
“Academic studies have shown that spending just 10 minutes per day reading and sharing stories with children can make a crucial difference to their future success, and it’s fun for everyone. This is most definitely something I have discovered with my own children in the last couple of years.
“I’m sure we all have fond memories of a book we read as child and World Book Day gives children the opportunity to have a book of their own. Why not visit the website for inspiration, visit a Reading library and get reading.”
For more information on World Book Day, including free online events and activities visit: https://www.worldbookday.com/.
To join a Reading library and find out about opening arrangements during lockdown visit: https://www.reading.gov.uk/leisure/libraries/
The video of Di Smith, Brighter Futures for Children’s Board Chair, reading Doughnuts for a Dragon, by Adam and Charlotte Guillain and illustrated by Lee Wildish, will be on this page of the company’s website on Thursday.