Basic IT Training on Thursday 14^th June 2012 11.00am – 1.00pm       

A need for basic  IT training has been identified during carer forums.     If you feel you would benefit from brushing up on your  IT skills, you are invited to come along to our informal basic training session which will be delivered by Zeba Newman and Maria Syred.    

   At the course you will learn how to:

• create files and folders
• save documents to files
• use email to send and receive messages

    The aims of the course are to provide participants with:

• basic information , knowledge and skills  they need to use a computer;
• guidance on opening and using Internet Explorer Web Browser;
• guidance on logging into Orange Grove Webcore to enable access to carer documentation and the “Five Outcomes For Children” guidelines;
• assistance with completion of Orange Grove documentation;
• guidance on how to  create folders and save documents.

The session will also allow time for attendees to seek support/ask questions relating to the standard Orange Grove documentation and procedures.

If you have a laptop, it would be helpful if you could bring it to the course with you to enable hands on training to be provided.

To book a place on the course,  please call the office on Tel: 01293 542286 or email denisesalmon@theorangegrove.co.uk AND        zebanewman@theorangegrove.co.uk

Aim of the training: 

For foster carers to develop an awareness of and an ability to act on concerns about the safety and welfare of children and young people in their care and to develop strategies to keep children safe from harm.

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the training, participants will:

• understand the structure and intended outcomes of the training;
• understand what to do if they have concerns about children and young people in order to safeguard and promote their welfare, using appropriate policies and procedures;
• be able to explain what is meant by child abuse and neglect and learn about the possible signs, symptoms and indicators of abuse and           neglect;
•  understand the impact of trauma and abuse on the behaviour of childre and young people;
•  develop strategies to keep children and young people safe from harm;
•  understand ways to manage some of the risks presented by new technology;
•  plan how to incorporate learning into their own safe care policies.

This training is mandatory.  If you have not attended safeguarding training in the past 12 months, you need to book a place on the course.       

To book your place please call the office on Tel: 01293 542286 or email denisesalmon@theorangegrove.co.uk AND zebanewman@theorangegrove.co.uk

A fun day was had by all who attended the Easter craft day at the Three Counties Office on Thursday 5th April. Everyone got into the spirit of Easter by making lots of Easter Crafts. We had a fabulous Easter Bonnet parade as you can see from the colourful Easter bonnets that were created!

All birth children are invited to come and join us for an activity day at the popular Kingswood Activity Centre.

Location: Kingswood Activity Centre, Grosvenor Hall, Kennigton, Ashford TN25 4AJ

Date: Wednesday 6th June 2012

Arrival Time: 9.00 am

Departure: 4.00pm

Please bring a packed lunch with you.

If you would like to attend, please call the Southern Counties office on 01293 542286 or Jade on 07900680490.

Louie won the jar of chocolate eggs for guessing the amount!

Louise won first prize for “pin the tail on the rabbit” which all the young people found very funny!

Thank you to Dayna and Kelvena for coming to help us.

Fleur De Lys Council Chamber Meeting Room, Town Council Offices, Inglenook, Market Street, Hailsham BN27 2AE

There  is limited car parking available on site but there is plenty of free parking within walking distance of the venue.

Access is via the garden at the rear of the Town Council offices.

Dates for forums in 2012 are:

• Friday 20th April
• Tuesday 15th May
• Tuesday 19th June
• Tuesday 17th July
• Tuesday 21st August
• Tuesday 18th September
• Tuesday 16th October
• Tuesday 20th November
• Tuesday 18th December

We look forward to seeing you there!

1. What do foster carers do?
2. Identity and life chances
3. Working with others
4. Understanding children in foster care
5. Safer Caring
6. Transitions
7. My Family Fosters

Maria Syred, a newly appointed Supervising Social Worker at Southern Counties office attended the last Skills to Foster Course as an observer and provided the following feedback:

“Overall attendance was excellent and during the first day it soon became apparent that we had a high calibre of potential foster carers.  Everyone engaged well with each other and willingly shared experiences which were valuable.  There were some excellent and thought provoking discussions, relevant queries and a great camaraderie which soon developed during the course.  From my viewpoint, the material was delivered with a friendly and professional approach and I felt it was well received and enjoyed by all.  This was backed up by the formal feedback received. ”

Attendees of our February Skills to Foster Course

Our next Skills to Foster Course will run between 26 – 28 April.