For this session you will need:
Film: Fostering, adoption and permanence
Film: Have you heard their cry?
Film: Becky’s story
PDF: Fostering roles
You will need to print and cut these prior to the session.
You will also need to source some lego bricks!
You may also be interested in:
Film: Alice and Phil's story
Alice and Phil share their story of becoming foster carers in their twenties.
Read Fran's story: My foster family changed my life
Having experienced care as a teenager, Fran shares her beautiful and inspiring story.
Article: What is a home for good?
An overview of different children's and young people's experiences and explanation of the types of care they may need.
Film: You know what a foster carer looks like, don't you?
Made for Father's Day, this film features male foster carers from a range of professions, from a fusion scientist to a former England football captain.
Article: What the Church needs to know about moves
Further information on permanence.
Article: What the Church needs to know about being called to foster or adopt
How choosing to foster or adopt can be a response to God's call.
Read Julie's story: It's safe to say I wasn't maternal
Julie offers emergency and respite foster care as a single carer, and she shares her courageous story of responding to the need that grieves her heart.
For this session you will need:
Film: Five ways you can affirm a child’s identity
Film: Imperfect people
Film: Ruth and Jon’s story
PDF: Disciple names
You will need to print and cut these prior to the session - you could also print an extra copy so you have the answers, but don't cut it up!
PDF: Family quotes
You will need to print and cut these prior to the session.
You will also need a flip chart or large paper and chunky pens, and some packs of 'Top Trumps'.
From the journal:
PDF: Adoption triangle
Film: Sibling relationships
You may also be interested in:
Read Meli and Satya's story: Together in a home for good
Two sisters who had to be separated when they came into care, but went on to be adopted together
Article: What the Church needs to know about trauma
Helping us to understand that all children in care or with a care background have experienced trauma, and how we can respond to support them.
Blog: Things I worry about
A new adoptive mum reflects on her experiences and the things that concern her.
Read Kamal's story: Finding family in the UK
At just fourteen years old, Kamal travelled alone for seven months after he had to leave his home in Sudan. After finally arriving in England, Kamal went to live with Laura and her family.
Article: Moses, adoption and the Church - Part 1: Family
Exploring family and all its complicated and wonderful variations
Article: Moses, adoption and the Church - Part 2: Identity
Exploring the ongoing identity challenges many looked after children may have.
For this session you will need:
Film: Unanswered questions
Film: Rachel’s story
PDF: Would you rather?
PDF: Web of support
Print enough copies so that everyone will have one.
You will also need a flip chart or large paper and chunky pens.
From the journal:
Film: Developing parenting skills
The journey of infertility:
Article: What the Church needs to know about infertility
Infertility has been much misunderstood in Christian culture and in the Church. This article explores infertility from a Biblical, Church and personal perspective.
Film: We can do better: infertility
Filmed at the Home for Good summit 2015, Rachel Gardner explores this subject.
Film: Rachel's story
Rachel Gardner shares her journey through infertility to adoption.
If infertility is a part of your journey, you may want to visit the website of our good friends, Saltwater & Honey, who are a community of Christians exploring infertility, miscarriage, childlessness and faith. We hope you find peace and support.
You may also be interested in:
Read Julia's story: 'Because you look after me'
Julia shares her story of adopting her son as a single person and how they have made it through challenges together, with a great support network around them.
Article: What the Church needs to know about parenting vulnerable children
Understanding why and how parenting may need to be different when caring for vulnerable children.
Blog: I wait
A foster carer reflects on persevering through challenges.
Read Lisa's story: Holding on for our children
Lisa was challenged by our call to care for vulnerable children and went on to adopt siblings.
For this session you will know:
Film: Understanding neglect and abuse
Film: Marks out of ten
Film: Care leaver outcomes
PDF: Emoji faces
Print enough copies for the group to either work as individuals or as teams.
PDF: Food stories
Print and cut a few copies so the group can read together.
PDF: Church support stories
Print a few copies so the group can read together.
You will also need a flip chart or large paper and chunky pens, and Toy Story 3 on DVD,
From the journal:
Article: What the Church needs to know about support through application, assessment and waiting
Exploring how to support those going through the process to foster or adopt.
You may also be interested in:
Film: Simon's story
Simon shares his story of being a foster carer, and how his church has supported their family.
Article: Everyone has a role. So what's mine?
A reflection on the role that the Church can have in the lives of vulnerable children.
Film: Could you be a part of the story?
Made for Adoption Sunday 2016, this film helps us see the different areas of need and how the Church can be involved.
Article: Supporting fostered and adopted children and young people in church groups
Tips and guidelines on how to support fostered and adopted children and young people.
Blog: Everyone needs a village
Julie reflects on the people around her who support her fostering journey.
Article: What the Church needs to know about the real impact of support
An article based on the church stories from the session.
For this session you will need:
Film: Understanding attachment
Film: Family photographs
Film: Letting go
PDF: Hold on or let go
Print enough copies for the group to either work as individuals or as teams.
PDF: Hold on or let go answer sheet
You will also need a flip chart or large paper and chunky pens.
From the journal:
Further information: Early permanence
Film: Safi's story
Information on attachment:
Article: What the Church needs to know about attachment
Article: 20 ways to engage and support children and young people with attachment difficulties
External site: The attachment lead network
List: Recommended books
You may also be interested in:
Article: What the Church needs to know about FASD
Written with the support of the FASD Network, this article offers a basic understaind of Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders.
Blog: 'I'd like to foster but I couldn't let them go...'
A foster carer reflects on their experiences.
Film: Sus' story
Sus shares her adoption story.
Article: Reflections from a prospective foster carer: A big decision
A prospective foster carer shares their experiences of preparation training and the ongoing decision process.
Read Sarah and Robert's Story: Making room
Sarah and Robert share their story of making room for vulnerable children through fostering.
For this session you will need:
Film: Claire’s story
Film: It’s not rocket science
PDF: Orphan heroes
Print enough copies for the group to either work as individuals or as teams.
PDF: Orphan heroes answer sheet
PDF: Social workers
Print a few copies so the group can read together.
You will also need a flip chart or large paper and chunky pens.
From the journal:
Film: Paperwork, processes and honest answers
Information: All about adoption
Information: All about fostering
You may also be interested in:
Film: Adam's story
Adam shares his adoption story.
Read Sandra and Harry's story: Fill it with something worthwhile
Sandra and Harry share about their realisation that they could be part of the solution.
Film: Fostering teenagers
One of the groups of children most in need of loving foster families is teenagers.
Article: Making sense of introductions
What are 'introductions', why do they matter and how can we support adopters and foster carers who are going through this process.
Read Kevin's story: Responding to the need
Kevin shares his story of responding to the need for foster carers in his area.
Article: A reflection for world social work day
Taking a moment to recognise all that social workers do in their role working with looked after children.
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