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BBC News London
Watch our General Secretary Robin Findlay on the evening news at BBC London and also on listen to him on BBC London Radio.
Landmark Tribunal Claim
Three of NUPFC members are bringing a landmark Tribunal claim for foster carer’s employment rights. The Employment tribunal has heard the factual evidence on 20 to 28 June 2023. Such is the importance of this claim the Government, Secretary of State for Education, has intervened and has given evidence. The parties are back in December 2023 to make legal submissions.
Retention and Recruitment Report
Disappointed that they felt justified in spending the money on this. More research and a report saying exactly the same thing with no solutions. Also from a union point of view, there is just one tiny paragraph on allegations, whats that all about?
The misuse and kangaroo courts of allegations control foster carers and keep them silenced working in a climate of fear. This acutely affects retention and also recruitment as foster carers are the best recruiters. What else do you find disappointing about this ‘research’?
UK gig economy workers
Because foster carers are basically like ‘gig economy’ workers, it means we are misclassified as self-employed when we are really ‘workers limb b’ as we can only work for one organisation, can’t work elsewhere, are told what we can do, when and how and have a contract, and we most definitely cant send a substitute to do our work.
Increase in Qualifying Care Relief
This tax information and impact note is about an increase in qualifying care relief for foster carers and other types of shared lives carers.
This measure increases the amount of the income tax qualifying care relief available to foster carers and shared lives carers, and automatically increases the relief each year in line with inflation.
Top Tips for foster carers on ensuring information is correct, accessing data and rectification
One of the biggest issues we have found in allegations are false or misleading reports, especially where opinion is being put forward as facts to panels.
In which other sector would this be acceptable?
Help and support created for foster carers, by foster carers
We all love FosterWiki at the union because it’s written by foster carers for foster carers. It’s independent, impartial, instant access and totally free and has so much information you can access at your fingertips.
Employers: recognise a trade union
As an employer you may need to work with trade unions that represent groups of your employees, sometimes known as bargaining units.
Trade unions will negotiate with you on working conditions, for example pay and holiday. You need to recognise the trade union before they can negotiate with you.
The FosterWiki response to the Government’s Care Review Implementation Strategy
The Founder of FosterWiki, Sarah Anderson gives her views on the latest Government’s Care Review Implementation Strategy.
What is the Ayanay Psychological Accreditation
Ayanay pronounced A an A, is the first psychological Accreditation Service in the UK to recognise, collaborate and support all professions that benefit from psychological awareness. Ayanay Psychological Accreditation, affectionately known as APA, launched on 4th July 2019, with a dedicated focus to Elevate, Provide, Increase, Create Positive Mental Health.
Consultation on Discretionary Council Tax Relief for Foster Carers
Our Secretary Robin has contacted Liverpool City Council about this recently on behalf of our member. Make sure you take part in the consultation.
Start date: Monday 16th January 2023
Closing date: Monday13th February 2023
Solihull children’s services report looms as kids in care almost double
At one of our meetings with Department for Education last year we mentioned Solihull Council and especially children services did not appear to be fit for purpose and gave examples.
This article shows that carers voices can be heard if directed through the correct channels.
Foster carers reconsider role amid cost of living crisis
More than half of foster carers have considered giving up the role due to the rising cost of living, a survey has found.
Sarah Anderson, the founder of FosterWiki – an information service for foster carers – has warned that the system will be 26,000 foster carers short by 2026 “if nothing is done to address this serious problem”.
The survey of 1,064 foster carers found that 54 per cent had considered resigning due to soaring living costs.
Robin Findlay BBC Look East Interview 21-07-22
Robin Findlay, General Secretary, NUPFC spoke to BBC Look East about alligations of bullying an intimidation of foster carers by councils.
Milton Keynes foster carer ‘mistreated to stop me questioning’
A foster carer said she believed she was mistreated and bullied by a council to stop her questioning the authority.
Claire, not her real name, said Milton Keynes Council referred her inappropriately to safeguarding and “intimidated” her in meetings. She felt it came after she started to “speak on behalf of some of my children”. An ombudsman later found fault “causing her injustice”.
INDEPENDENT BODY TO REPRESENT FOSTER CARERS DURING ALLEGATION PROCESS
Sarah Anderson, a leading campaigner for the rights of foster carers to receive a fully independent body to represent foster carers during allegations processes, says that so far allegations have mimicked disciplinary proceedings in every area except one, where it comes to the rights of the carer.
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