Networking

Networking means working with other people to share information and develop professional or social contacts.

As a foster carer you will be working with lots of different people to help children have safe, happy and enjoyable childhoods.

You can view diagrams of the team around the child and the team around the foster carer (PDF 57 KB) or scroll down for a text version.

The team around the child

Each person who is part of the team around the child you foster has a different viewpoint, experience and skills. Put together their skills, expertise and knowledge help to make plans which will best benefit the children you care for.

• foster carer
• independent reviewing officer
• independent visitor
• supervising social worker
• education
  • teacher
  • teaching assistant
  • learning support mentor
  • educational psychologist
• health
  • health visitor
  • GP
  • speech and language
  • occupational therapist
  • school nurse
  • Child Looked After nurse
  • Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS)
  • Supporting Children and Young People Together (SCAYT+)
• family
  • parents
  • brothers and sisters
  • grandparents
  • aunties and uncles
• child's social worker

The team around you

Now that we've looked at the team around the child – let's consider the team around you – our foster carer!

• support network
  • your family
  • your friends
• support to permanence
  • supervising social worker
  • support worker
• support groups
  • newly approved support groups
  • local support groups
• mentoring scheme
  • your foster carer mentor
• fostering forum representatives
• fostering communities
• enrichment programme
  • social events
  • discounts
• SCAYT+