FCA Shaping The Future Of Fostering | Foster Care News

January 22, 2007

Foster Care Associates (FCA) is hoping to shape the future of fostering on an international scale when it attends the 2007 International Foster Care Organisation conference.

By sharing good practice, FCA aims to explore the innovative life story work it continues to pioneer within the fostering sector as well as examine the positive outcomes it achieves through its unique ‘team parenting’ approach in support of carers and looked after children and young people.

Under the theme ‘Fostering our Taonga : Children are our treasures as are those who care for them’, the IFCO XVth biennial conference will be held at Waikato University New Zealand, from February 11 – 14. Over 1000 delegates including social workers, foster carers and young people in care will attend the event.

“Meeting the needs of the foster carer is a priority and if we are able to implement support systems which are effective in managing the complexities of traumatised or emotionally scarred young people, then we are part way to achieving successful outcomes. We hope that by evidencing positive outcomes, FCA will inspire similar policy and practice across the globe,” said FCA co-founder, Jan Rees.

“Our life story work, in particular, demonstrates a deep understanding of the child’s emotional needs and tackles problems at grass roots level. The IFCO conference provides the ideal environment to highlight our approach in bringing clarity and balance to the lives of looked after children.”

FCA’s ‘team parenting’ approach recognises findings from research that a network of interlocking services are required to support carers of looked after children and young people. The model includes a range of support services which has resulted in an outstanding record in relation to educational achievements, an established therapy service and a children’s services team.

Established 12 years ago, FCA is Europe’s leading independent foster care agency with a network of 80 offices across the UK including Scotland and Wales as well as offices in the Republic of Ireland. Currently, the organisation provides quality placement of 2000 foster children who are placed with its 1800 foster families.