Investing in Children membership award for Midlands and North Fostering Team
“One of our ideas was to do more story work to share with others about how being in care is ok – which is starting to happen!”
Five Rivers fostered child, Investing in Children evaluation, February 2020
Great news! Our Five Rivers Fostering team in the Midlands and North has been accredited with the Investing in Children kitemark for the third year running. The assessor interviewed eight young people and asked if the fostering support team should receive the award; they agreed and endorsed the report.
The kitemark is national recognition of active inclusion of children and young people in dialogue resulting in change.
Groundbreaking participation projects that have grown from children in this region:
Input into our tendering process – ensuring children’s voice is heard by care commissioners
‘Care To Listen’ podcast – a series of interviews with successful people in care.
A new online handbook ‘Children Who Foster’ written by Aaliah, the daughter of fostering family, to help new families understand the experience of fostering.
Five Rivers’ Head of Fostering, Martin Leitch says;
“We are delighted that our young people have recognised the efforts that the Midlands and North team has made to include and connect them with the organisation and the wider world. These examples and many more have had a huge impact on our national policy and procedures. I cannot overstate the importance we place on their view and opinions – ensuring that changes we make are directed by young people”
This membership award is renewed annually and Five Rivers will ensure we keep on listening and creating opportunities for meaningful dialogue as part of our everyday organisational culture.
What is Investing in Children?
The Investing in Children Membership Award ™ Scheme recognises and celebrate examples of imaginative and inclusive practice with children and young people. Organisations applying for the wared have to demonstrate dialogue with young people which leads to change. However, children and young people have to provide the evidence for the organisation and endorse the report because it is a children’s and young people’s award
Find out more at the Investing in Children website http://www.investinginchildren.net