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Fostering is a very complex task, which often raises strong emotions in all participants at times when the going gets tough. The use of mediation can improve communication dramatically and therefore the life chances of the young people being cared for by those particular professionals.

The Fostering Network provides an advice and mediation service to 25 local authorities in England. Norfolk joined the service in May 2005, and more authorities are expected to commission the service from us later this year.

Foster carers, local authorities and independent fostering agencies all benefit from the delivery of this service, which helps fostering agencies in meeting the National Minimum Standard 22.9 under Section 23.1 of the Care Standards Act 2000, requiring agencies to provide independent support and assistance to foster carers subject to allegations.

One manager of a fostering service in the East Midlands said:

  • 'This service contributes to both our recruitment and retention strategy for foster carers'.

Comments from foster carers have included:

  • 'Thank you for your support when I was feeling helpless about my situation.'
  • 'Thank you very much for all your hard work and support over the past couple of years. The end result was fantastic and it has meant so much to me.'

The advice and mediation service works in conjunction with many of our other services. For example Fosterline, our new national helpline for carers, will refer carers on to an advice and mediation worker when more in-depth counselling, support and mediation is needed, but only if there is a service in their area.

The advice and mediation service is only available to fostering services by commissioning the Fostering Network to provide the service in their area.

How to access the advice and mediation service

  • If you are a foster carer, contact your fostering service to find out if they currently commission the advice and mediation service from the Fostering Network.

  • If you run a fostering agency which doesn’t yet offer this crucial support service for your foster carers, contact Hazel Halle, Director of Services, England, on 020 7620 6432 or email hazel.halle@fostering.net for more information.

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