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Adoption NewsNational Adoption Week 2008Suffolk County Council’s Adoption agency is making an appeal to anybody that may be interested in the challenges and rewards of adopting a Suffolk child. “Potential adopters come from ALL walks of life” explains Patricia O’Brien, Portfolio Holder for Children, Schools and Young Peoples Services. “Our team are committed to finding families that meet our children’s diverse needs, and are always looking for adopters from different communities and will consider applicants form all backgrounds”. Last year 63 children in Suffolk were found a new family and legally adopted. 25 more children are today waiting for adoptive families. They include brothers and sisters, toddlers and children up to the age of 9. The Adoption agency is seeking people who have the right qualities, the stamina and the potential to understand the needs of these children. The Suffolk Adoption agency welcomes applicants from as wide a variety of backgrounds as possible. They include those who are married, unmarried, same sex couples, couples living together and in civil partnerships and single people. To apply to adopt you must be over 21, although there is no legal upper age limit, however you need to have a reasonable expectation of parenting a child into adult life. You could already be a parent or childless, and you don’t have to own your own home, as long as you have security and space to care for children as they grow. We particularly need adopters for children that have additional needs and uncertainties about their future health and development. Some of these children have a background of drug or alcohol misuse, learning difficulties or mental health problems. A number are of dual heritage and would benefit from families that can promote this. Some particularly need placements in North and West Suffolk where currently we have fewer adoptive families. Many of the children have experienced a difficult start to their lives and are all vulnerable and desperately need loving and secure family homes. The Suffolk Adoption agency supports its adopters from the day it receives their initial enquiries. This support continues throughout the adoption training and in-depth assessment. Working in this way ensures that applicants have time to reflect on their unique experiences, strengths and skills as a potential adoptive parent. An adoption social worker is also there to guide adopters through the different stages of the process, until a child is placed in the family. Even after the adoption order is made, support can continue. The agency now has a specialist team that provides this to children, adopters and birth families alike. Support comes not just from social workers and other professionals but also from adoptive parents themselves who are, after all, the ‘experts’! Speaking on this Patricia O’Brien, Portfolio Holder for Children, Schools and Young Peoples Services said: “The process for becoming an adoptive parent is rigorous, and that is as it should be. There are no blanket bans, so please don’t think we’ll turn you down because you’re over 40, single, or don’t own your own home! What we really need are people who can offer a child or sibling group a loving and supportive family for life, people who can help a child thrive in a new family.” If you would like to take the initial steps to finding out more about adoption, information sessions are being held on Tuesday 18 November at the Friends Meeting House in Bury St Edmunds and Endeavour House, Ipswich. To book your place or to get more information about adoption please call the Suffolk Adoption agency team on 0800 389 9417 or alternatively please email: adoption@socserv.suffolkcc.gov.uk Fostering NewsMixed BlessingsMigration of people of Black African and Black African Caribbean origin to the UK has led to the very creative development and diffusion of cultures, habits and ideas, and to new forms of cultural identity. This significant exhibition celebrates the spirit of the family in
the context of emerging new identities within African heritage and host
communities. It explores these complex diversities and focuses on the
positive strength of the family unit and the security it offers to children.
Thank youOn behalf of the Suffolk Fostering Recruitment team we would like to
thank everyone who supported this year's Fostering Fortnight, which
took place in May. We would also like to acknowledge the support of
a number of local businesses: Debenhams, Ipswich Somerfields, Bury St Edmunds, Diss & Sudbury Morrison's, Lowestoft & Beccles Asda, Stowmarket Sainsbury's, Haverhill Ebony Radio Town 102 Community Radio Fee-paid SchemeThe fee paid
scheme, previously aimed at the 5-18’s, has been extended
to include foster carers looking after children 0-5’s. Applications
are welcome from those who have existing experience of caring for, or
working with children with complex needs and/or in working with families.
This experience will most likely be gained from looking after children
in foster or residential care, although other relevant experience will
be considered. Fee paid carers will receive a weekly fee in addition to the allowance paid to cover the cost of caring for any child in placement. OFSTED Inspection
Children in Permanent placements
Some of the facilities that Foster Carers have access to
Tax levels for foster carersLegislation was passed in July 2003 that introduces a new system of taxation for foster carers. The Inland Revenue introduced a tax threshold, which should put an end to inconsistencies in the way in which foster carers are taxed across the UK and hopefully will simplify the process for the vast majority. You can download the Inland Revenue Factsheet explaining the new rules. Although in theory these tax thresholds do not apply to foster carers who look after children over the age of 18 (21 for disabled children) the Inland Revenue have made the following decision: Where foster carers continue to provide the same amount of care that was provided while the young person was in foster care and the payments are equivalent to fostering allowances, the Inland Revenue will apply the arrangements available to adult placement carers - which are broadly equivalent. The threshold for the adult placement scheme is £400 a week for the first resident in care at any one time and £250 a week for the second and third resident in care at any one time. If you have any questions about tax for foster carers, please contact your local Inland Revenue office. Suffolk Foster Carers AssociationSuffolk Foster Carers have their own independent support network, Suffolk Foster Carers Association. Every foster carer who works directly with Suffolk County Council is automatically a member. Working alongside the Local Authority, the Association has a number of support groups around the County who meet regularly to exchange ideas, information and experiences. The Association also holds an annual conference which is another opportunity for our carers to get together. The Conference is also visited by speakers representing a wide variety of organisations directly and indrectly involved in fostering provision. Less formally the Association organises functions where foster carers and their fostered children can meet and socialise. To find out more about the Association log on to www.suffolkfostercarersassociation.co.uk. You can also read about their activities in their newsletters (you can choose to open the Newsletters either as a word document or PDF by clicking on the words or the PDF symbol.):
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