BAAF
The grant recipient
BAAF (the British Association for Adoption and Fostering) is a registered charity and works to promote and develop high standards of practice for all those working with children who have been separated from their birth families.
The programme
What it aims to do
- help foster carers to develop the skills needed to support primary aged children with their learning
- raise the educational achievement of children in foster care
How it works
Foster carers from the London borough of Southwark attend a 10 week programme of group-based training sessions. The programme is designed to equip foster carers with the skills they need to:
- support their children's reading
- help with homework
- begin to identify learning difficulties
- understand school structures
This project is overseen by a board made up of representatives from BAAF, City University, The National Adoption and Fostering Clinic at the Maudsley Hospital and Southwark Education Support Service.
Results
The programme is being evaluated primarily for the impact it has on the children’s development, particularly in the area of literacy. The impact on foster carer knowledge, skills, confidence and engagement with the education of those they care for is also being monitored.
Mid term feedback has shown progress in the behaviour and literacy levels of individual children and the training is very popular with foster carers. Other foster care agencies are now being trained to pilot the course and BAAF is tracking children’s reading ages.
The funding and replication
SHINE has made a grant to fund part of the delivery costs for this project. Additional funding is being provided by other trusts and foundations.
If this pilot is successful BAAF aim to roll the programme out nationally by making it available through their regional agencies.
Funding: £57,862 to BAAF, over two years (2007-09)
Visit BAAF's website: http://www.baaf.org.uk
"Thanks to SHINE and our other funders we have the chance to develop a new training programme for foster carers that will give more primary school children the opportunity to achieve their full potential at school."
Fostering Development Consultant, BAAF
"In 2005 60% of children in care obtained at least one GCSE, compared to 96% of all children."
DoH Outcome Indicators for Looked After Children (2005)
"Less than one per cent of care leavers go to university."
Going to University from Care (2005)
"50% of children in care have experienced neglect or some form of abuse."
BAAF (2007)
"50% of boys aged 5-10 who are in care have a mental health problem."
BAAF (2007)
"25% of the prison population have been in care."
Prime Minister's Review on Adoption (2000)
"Children growing up in care are 66 times more likely as adults to have their own children taken into care."
Prime Minister's Review on Adoption (2000)
Quotes
"Thanks to SHINE and our other funders we have the chance to develop a new training programme for foster carers that will give more primary school children the opportunity to achieve their full potential at school."
Fostering Development Consultant, BAAF
"In 2005 60% of children in care obtained at least one GCSE, compared to 96% of all children."
DoH Outcome Indicators for Looked After Children (2005)
"Less than one per cent of care leavers go to university."
Going to University from Care (2005)
"50% of children in care have experienced neglect or some form of abuse."
BAAF (2007)
"50% of boys aged 5-10 who are in care have a mental health problem."
BAAF (2007)
"25% of the prison population have been in care."
Prime Minister's Review on Adoption (2000)
"Children growing up in care are 66 times more likely as adults to have their own children taken into care."
Prime Minister's Review on Adoption (2000)