Ongoing Training

On 8th October Grahame Williams will be running a workshop around the “Three Stages of Play” for children under 12. This will be limited to 24 participants only. If you are caring for children under 12 and think that you need this training, please contact your Case Worker as soon as possible.

Additionally, Michael Burke will be running training for foster carers who are caring for adolescents. Further information will be provided in the next newsletter. 

Managing Hyperactivity

We have also recently made available via our online learning platform a module on how to manage hyperactivity, led by our senior psychologist, James Bellman.

To access this module, you'll need to sign in on this page: Online Learning Sign-in

If this seems to you like a big topic to tackle all in one session, don't worry, we have broken down James' training module in three practical videos:

• What causes hyperactivity?
• What strategies can we use to manage it?
• How can self-regulation help?
  
  

Cultural Fun Day Cancelled

Sadly we had to postpone the Fun Day due to Covid-19 restrictions. We will be running it again in the next school holidays. Your case workers will be in touch closer to the date.

Delays processing Working with Children Checks

We have been notified that there are significant delays in the processing of Working with Children Checks. The Office of the Children's Guardian has advised us to encourage our authorised carers and adult household members to renew their WWCC early if they are due. Allambi Care will send yo a reminder email 6 weeks before the due date. We strongly advise that you renew as soon as you get this reminder.

Helping Children and Young People Adjust to the 'New Normal'

The worst of the Covid-19 pandemic might be behind us, but for some children and young people, adapting to Covid-normal life may be hard. Here’s what you can do to help them cope.

Last year, the global pandemic affected everyone’s life in some way. But for many school-aged kids and young people, it was particularly disruptive, causing school shutdowns, the cancellation of milestone events and taking catch-ups with friends and family off the table.

If you worried about how that would affect your kids moving forward, you’re in good company.

This report published by the Australian Childhood Foundation in September 2020 found that almost a third of parents were concerned that the effects of Covid-19 would have lasting mental health impacts on their children, such as heightened anxiety and stress.

“Some children may still be experiencing Covid-related anxiety,” says Kirrilie Smout, a clinical psychologist specialising in the mental health of children and adolescents.

“This may stem from disappointment and sadness about what they might have lost – like a significant event such as a graduation – or anxiety about what new threats they may have to manage. Ongoing stress around their family’s financial situation as a result of Covid can also contribute.”

How to look for warning signs

According to Smout, some groups of children may be more at risk of experiencing anxiety due to the pandemic than others.

“Kids who were dealing with mental health concerns prior to the pandemic, those whose parents have been more negatively affected in an ongoing way, and children who had a bigger disruption to their lives, like a longer lockdown period, may be more likely to experience Covid-related anxiety, even now,” she says.

As for warning signs, Smout stresses that it varies considerably between different individuals.

“So, instead of a checklist of specific things to look out for, it’s important for parents to continue spending time and noticing how their children are acting and feeling, and to spot if there are any significant changes.”

If you’re worried, ask other people who are close to your children, like grandparents or teachers, if they’ve noticed any changes.

“Sometimes kids will talk to other adults in their life about things that they don’t always bring up with their parents,” says Smout.

Smout suggests acting on any concerns or changes in behaviour that stay around for more than a few days.

“Whether that’s noticing that your child’s moods are more up and down. Or perhaps they seem withdrawn or teary. Again, it’s less about specific signs and more about noticing things that are different or have changed for your child.”

You may find this article about how to recognise anxiety in your child helpful.

What you can do to support your children

This will differ depending on whether your child is five, 10 or 15, but Smout says, regardless of age, the following core principles remain the same.

• Ask questions

"The more you know about what’s worrying your child, the more you can support them." K Smout.

• Provide care, affection and encouragement

“A warm, supportive relationship between parent and child is one of the best ways to support good mental health in children,” says Smout.

“So, keep providing warmth, care, affection, open conversation and quality time together.”

You can also encourage your children to be open about any Covid-related things or situations that are still worrying them.

“Ongoing avoidance of things they’re afraid of usually makes anxiety worse, so encourage them to slowly do the things that scare them,” says Smout.

• Encourage healthy behaviours

This can start with helping your kids stay connected to their peers.

“Children and teens who have good friendships tend to have better mental health than those who don’t. So, as well as encouraging exercise, good nutrition and getting enough quality sleep, it’s important to keep nurturing friendship opportunities and helping your child develop good interpersonal skills.”

This article is courtesy of Beyond Blue. You can find more information about  supporting anxious children from their website:  Beyond Blue

Meet Belinda Groth

Foster Care Recruitment & Training Officer - Fostering & Permanency

Favourite Food: Seared scallops paired with a fabulous cold climate wooded chardonnay! AND cheese over chocolate!

To relax I: Go to the gym, cook and spend time with my two adult sons. 

Currently listening to: The Mindset Mentor podcast – a blend of neurobiology, psychology, early childhood development and cognitive behavioural therapy. 

Best thing about my job is: I love the diversity and flexibility of my role, from presenting training to meeting and interviewing potential foster carers and providing support to them throughout their fostering journey. I also work with a great small team. 

My Forever Family NSW

JULY 20 – 10am- Webinar. Supporting biological children while fostering

This webinar will explore how to best support your children through this journey, and help them understand the different support needs of children in care. It will explore some strategies and tips for you to support biological children on this journey.

JULY 21 – 7.30pm- Webinar. Anxiety in Children and Carers

Everyone feels anxious sometimes but together we can learn ways to work with those feelings towards a calmer household and selves.

JULY 27 – 10am- Webinar. Working Collaboratively with your Care Team

It takes a village to raise a child, however, for children and young people in care, that village can seem complex and difficult for their carers to navigate. This webinar provides a guide to understanding and accessing supports and services for children in care and creating collaborative partnerships with your foster child's team.

For more information and to register, go to: http://www.myforeverfamily.org.au/events