News: 15 July 2024
New! Kooth Talks for London Healthcare Professionals
Kooth are holding a webinar for healthcare professionals across London. Kooth is the free and anonymous mental health service available to young people in North East London, including LB Redbridge. The session will include:
The session covers:
- An overview of how Kooth works as a mental health service
- The evidence base and outcomes from online delivery
- How we support you to refer young people to Kooth
- Q&As
Register in advance for dates at the beginning of August 2024 via here.
New! ACAMH Blog on EBSA (Emotional Based School Avoidance)
The Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health (ACAMH) have published an interesting blog on the mental health impacts for children and young people of school anxiety and EBSA.
UNICEF Children and Young People’s Survey
A new survey for children and young people has been launched as part of the Child Friendly Redbridge Programme. Please do share and encourage any children and young people you know to complete so that their voice is heard. There are voucher prizes to be won. The survey can be found on Let’s Talk Redbridge and the links is below:
Foster for Redbridge
Some see hard work. You see a Happy Ever After. Foster for Redbridge.
You could be the one to teach a teenager independence and help to guide and coach them into adulthood. Over 300 children in Redbridge are unable to stay at home for a variety of different reasons and need foster care. Be the change that they need and help to make a difference to their life.
If you have a place in your heart and home to foster a young person, please call us on 020 8496 3437, email hello@localcommunityfostering.co.uk or join us on our next virtual information session on 19 July 2024 10am to 11am. Visit https://www.redbridge.gov.uk/adult-and-childrens-services/fostering/?utm_source=Rscp&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=fostering to book a place.
Action for Children Advocacy Service for 16 and 17 Year-Olds
Action for Children is now offering a dedicated advocacy service specifically for 16 and 17 year-olds. The referral form is available via the link below:
What this means for young people:
- Know Your Rights: This service empowers them to understand their options for safe and secure housing under Section 20 of the Children Act.
- Get the Support You Deserve: Trained advocates will guide them through the process and ensure their voices are heard and they have impartial advice around there housing situation.
- Peace of Mind: This service can help navigate a difficult situation and offer a path towards stability.
How We Can Help:
- Let’s make sure all staff are aware and actively promote this service:
- At the point of referral
- At the point of identification: When social care identifies potential homelessness or family breakdown.
Spreading the Word:
The more young people know about this service, the easier it is for them to access the support they deserve. Let’s work together to ensure Redbridge youth have a safe place to call home!
Learning Resource for Social Care Providers
Grey Matter Learning is a resource made freely available for any professional or volunteer delivering social care within Redbridge/North East London. This includes family and friends carers, personal assistants and other roles. Find out more about the on-line training available by requesting an account via e-mail: training@greymatterlearning.co.uk
Duty to Refer – Homelessness
Guidance has been issued for professionals by the Local Authority on the duty to refer when a family are at risk of homelessness.
- LBR Duty to Refer – Homelessness – Guidance (PDF 91KB)
- LBR Duty to Refer – Referral Form – Homelessness (PDF 89KB)
- LBR Duty to Refer – Referral Form – Homelessness (Word Version for download)
Private Fostering Arrangements
Are you aware of a child who is being cared for by someone who is not a close relative for a period of more than 28 days? If so, they may be part of a private fostering arrangement. This is where someone who is not a close relative cares for a child under the aged of sixteen (or eighteen if the child has a disability). A close relative is considered to be an aunt, grandparent, step-parent, or a sibling. Other family members, for example, cousins or great aunts, are not classed as close relatives under the definition of private fostering. An example of a private fostering arrangement is a child from overseas, such as a student, being hosted by a family whilst being educated in the UK. All private fostering arrangements should be notified to the Local Authority. In Redbridge, this can be undertaken by contacting Children’s Services via 020 8708 3885 or by e-mail via CPAT.Referrals@redbridge.gov.uk . More information is available on private fostering on the Council’s website.