Monday’s Fostering Blog
So it’s back to school today. We are relieved to get the routine back for Alice – we have learnt over time that she copes better when she has the structure and routine of school. Holidays can be a little waring, especially if like us you like a bit of down time. Unfortunately Alice does not cope with this and needs to know the plan for each day – what is happening, who will we see, what are we having for each meal and so on. So school bags are packed, lunch boxes filled, uniforms back out of the wardrobe, and off they go to school.
I have to admit, I loved the walk home from school on my own. I enjoyed the peace as I walked through the park and I looked forward to a cup of tea in peace when I returned home. No sooner had I finished my tea, my Social Worker from our fostering agency arrived for my monthly Supervision Meeting. Supervision is a chance to reflect on what has gone well and what has not gone well. It should be a chance to ensure that we are getting the right level of support. It can sometimes feel like a box ticking exercise, probably because I feel like I have got so much to do and haven’t got time in the day for these meetings. I also do not like conflict, so I don’t always say what I am really thinking – especially when I do not think we are aways getting the right support.
After finishing the paperwork for Alice’s CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service) Assessment, I took it to the CAMHS Assessment Centre which is on the other side of the city. By the time I returned home the school day was pretty much over and it was soon time to collect Alice and Lauren from school.
Alice came out of school all smiles. Looks like she has had a good day! Her teaching assistant came out to do hand over and told me how Alice had been telling her all day about her new wheelchair. That was so lovely to hear. From the way she acted when we went for the fitting, she gave the impression that she didn’t care one way or the other about it. So it was great to hear she was actually feeling positive about it. Just as well, because in just over a week she will be using it full time!
A Less Ordinary Family Foster Care Blog
