Support for Hackney foster carers

Therapeutic support group

Hackney Council runs a fortnightly therapeutic support group for its foster carers. This session is led by the Consultant Matching Social Worker and an in-house Assistant Psychologist.

This group provides a therapeutic space where foster carers can meet to discuss difficulties they are experiencing, and draw on support from each other and professionals. It also draws on content covered in the Nurturing Attachments course particularly in relation to therapeutic parenting and trauma-informed approaches.

We encourage foster carers to check-in and practice mindfulness as part of their self-care, whilst using reflection to think about the children and young people they look after.

Please speak to your social worker if you would like to join the next session.

Men’s support group

This support group was introduced to meet the various needs of Hackney’s male foster carers and to improve the working relationship between carers and professionals. These sessions take place every two months and are facilitated by male fostering social workers.

The aims and objectives of the group are:

• to provide a platform to share fostering experiences
• to provide peer support and learning
• to provide a platform for male carers to express any worries, fears or concerns they might have
• to help male carers feel more confident in their role
• to discuss being a positive role model to the children and young people in your care.

Clinical support

Our Clinical Service offers consultation and direct working opportunities to all our fostering households.

Foster carers should speak with their social workers if they would like to access these support.

Our clinical team also runs the 12 week Nurturing Attachments and Fostering Changes training which is designed to provide carers with tools to understand the impact of different attachment styles and how to provide care that is therapeutic in its approach.

Foster/Connected carers forum

The Foster Carers Forums is our quarterly service led meeting that brings together service professionals and foster carers to discuss and share updates about the service. It is also attended by invited guests to provide information on external services accessible to Hackney Foster Carers.

The forum is a great place for our newly approved foster carers to meet and share their experiences.

Hackney Foster Carer Council (HFCC)

The HFCC exists to provide a strong network among Hackney foster and connected carers, as well as our supported lodgings hosts.

They help to challenge and shape practises within the service and create positive experiences for children in care.

Their ‘Let’s talk about it’ coffee mornings are a great and informal way to meet other carers, share experiences, tips, ideas and concerns.

We recommend all Hackney foster carers join their Whatsapp group to stay up to date with details of organised events for carers throughout the year.

The Fostering Network (FN)

We are a registered member of the Fostering network, and therefore provide all our approved foster carers with Foster Carer membership.

The Fostering Network supports foster carers in a range of ways, including their helpline that can advise carers on many aspects of fostering, from income tax and benefits to allegations.

They support the development of foster carers’ skills and abilities through their wide selection of online resources, publications and training, all of which are discounted for members. These provide relevant, up to date and practical information that will help foster carers to provide the best possible care.

They also connect foster carers and fostering service members through events, providing the opportunity to hear about the latest developments in fostering and to meet others from the fostering community.