Special Edition
S,F.C.A. Update
Welcome to our special edition e-news.
Following our successful collaboration with Staffordshire Foster Carers Association at the annual BBQ we are excited to hear of the associations plan to hold an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) to elect additions Officers of the association.
So why the excitement? Well Three new positions have been created "Communications Officer" - "Event organiser North" - Event Organiser South" along with nominations for "Chair" - "Vice Chair" and "Secretary" to compliment the "Treasurer" and "Vice Treasurer" presently in office.
The deadline for Nominations closed at midnight on the 8th October and there has been one nomination for each position, the skill set that these new Officers of the association will bring with them (if elected) joined with the experience of the present Officers gives Staffordshire Foster Carers Association a Management structure that would not be out of place in a small dynamic business.
see all the Nominees HERE
As the EGM is scheduled for the 20th October we thought we would take the opportunity of asking the potential new Chair Sharon Chetwynd (if elected) a few questions.
What will be your 1st priority if elected to Chair?
I believe to develop a strong and sustained Association I will need to develop a strong network of communication both to the Association and from the Association, I hope to work with support groups to develop this two way network, during the year I also hope to organise drop in meetings around the county ( I feel it will be important that the association is seen to be mobile and not fixed in one area it is a large county and I want to involve all Staffordshire Foster carers)
From this network the association will be able to take concerns and questions to the fostering service as a united voice of Staffordshire Foster Carers.
As a united community of Foster Carers we will have strength, integrity, and opportunities to develop collaborative partnerships with other organisations working in the fostering community for the benefit of Staffordshire foster carers and the children that we all are so passionate giving successful futures to.
Where do you see Staffordshire Foster Carers Association being this time next year?
Simply put, at the centre of Staffordshire Fostering, a vibrant active association that meets regularly with fostering management to communicate the feelings of carers and any concerns that arise, to be the lead in creating and developing ideas and events that further strengthen the fostering community to better support our carers. By working as one united force to turn possibilities into opportunities to create a working partnership with departments associated with fostering, and importantly create the financial structure needed to apply for Full Charitable status to further the associations ambitions to support Staffordshire Foster Carers.
Do You Have a final message to Staffordshire Carers If Elected?
If elected I have many ideas that I would like to put into practice, I will also be asking for ideas from Staffordshire Foster Carers it is after all THEIR association.
I would like to champion a move towards Carers and workers across the many departments involved in looked after children to be trained together so that everyone can benefit from each other's perspective, concerns and ideas, by sharing our knowledge it becomes another's.
I will also look at how as a united association we can develop a supportive network for carers that go through the allegation process, something that I know many carers have commented on in the past is how they would have appreciated someone to talk to that understands where they are at that moment.
There has been recent press coverage of a Union for Foster carers, this will be something the association will watch carefully as we all understand the financial implications that being a foster carer presents especially when we have no children in our care, in retirement - only a state pension to look forward to and the need at times for a short break from what in some cases can be a traumatic placement. But with or without a union I intend for this association be strong, united, able and willing to challenge when needed, cooperate when possible and become the credible voice of Staffordshire Foster Carers.