Celebration of York's foster carers

Six York foster carers will accept a professional certificate from Professor David Fleming, the Vice Chancellor of York St John University, at a special celebration event this evening.

The event, which coincides with National Care Leavers Week, will honour the successful completion of the UK’s first ever accredited foster carer course.

The Foundation Certificate in Trauma and Attachment was developed through a partnership between York St John University and City of York Council, with support from the York Children and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS).

The course offers a unique opportunity to develop theoretical and practical understanding of trauma and attachment, which affect most children in foster care. The sessions also provide a safe and supportive environment where foster carers can share their experience and knowledge. Students also gain university credits, which can be used to develop further studies.

Eoin Rush, Assistant Director, Children’s Specialist Services, City of York Council, said: “Our partnership with, and investment in our foster carers is at the heart of our strategy to achieve the best possible outcomes for looked after children in York. I hope that gaining a university accreditation will not only help foster carers better support the young people in their care, but will also help raise the profile of the vital and life changing work that they do. To have the first course of its kind in the UK here in York is testament to the status with which foster carers are held in the city.”

Delia, who became a foster carer 10 years ago, is one of the six who successfully completed the certificate. She currently looks after a teenage boy on a permanent placement, and says that the course was life-changing:

“Doing the certificate has made such a difference to our home life. I got to study my foster child, and learn more about his behaviour. Now I feel like I can see the whole picture. Foster children can’t always explain what they are feeling, or why. Our home life is much calmer now because I understand why he’s reacting in a certain way.

“The course also taught me that it’s OK for me to show emotion. I don’t bottle things up so much now. Our group of six has kept in touch, and we support each other. We’ve all gone through the same experiences, so we know how each other feel.”

“Before this, there were no qualifications out there for foster carers. This course gave us a way to say ‘look, we matter!’ I’d recommend it to anyone.”

Katie Simpson, Head of Partnership Development at York St John, was one of the course tutors. She said: “The certificate was introduced in partnership with City of York Council to recognise the value of supporting the professionalisation of foster carers. The group worked exceptionally well together and were a pleasure to teach. We hope the celebration event will acknowledge their achievements and highlight the value of this unique learning experience.”