Hello and Welcome to the Chrysalis Care blog spot


Chrysalis Care is an independent fostering provider, looking after children in London and the home counties. We have been operating since 1997 and have an ‘outstanding’ reputation.

As you will be aware there are many issues and topics highlighted by the media regarding looked after children, foster care, social services and children not being taken into care with tragic consequences.

The Chrysalis Care blog spot will be a forum where some of these topics, issues and other thoughts associated with fostering and looked after children will be discussed by staff, foster carers and perhaps some young people. I hope you enjoy them and please feel free to comment.

Allé Pflaumer, Director

Wednesday 14 November 2012

Apples and Pears, climbing the stairs to greater understanding of food allergies in children

Chrysalis Care ran a fantastic training session today, delivered by Mandy and Chetali of ‘Apples and Pears health’ and as a trainer and lecturer myself, I could descend into a monologue about the excellent training style, which was accessible and responsive (because of course, I am never ever judgemental about such things). However, it is my role as a parent of a child with allergies that inspires this blog and for any foster carer or in fact, child care worker, this training is perhaps more generically necessary than is given credit for.

Firstly, for dispelling common myths about what is and isn’t an allergy and acceptable ways of diagnosing allergies (avoid the fads!)...and also refer to a specialist to make this diagnosis….this said as a reflection upon how tempting it can be to ‘diagnose’ at home based upon trial and error and subsequent elimination. Secondly, considering the range of signs and symptoms to watch out for – far more than I realised and I will certainly be looking with a keener eye in future. Crucially, how to respond in an emergency situation, in the severe case of an Anaphylaxic reaction, which whilst inevitably scary, much surely be less so when informed with how to deal with it. What a wonderful accompaniment to our paediatric first aid training.

Finally, the health service can be a daunting one to approach sometimes and a session facilitated by people who work within this service, with useful signposting and a valuable handout to take away, can be an empowering experience. It certainly was for me. For more about allergies and children and about the work that ‘Apples and Pears health’ do, visit: www.applesandpearshealth.co.uk.

Joanna Oliver

Strategic Development Executive

Tuesday 23 October 2012

In the spirit of not wasting a good crisis!

I went along to the London Care Services special educational needs (SEN) and children in care (CIC) Autumn conference last week and what a fantastic mix of speakers were there to address us.

The enigmatic Camila Batmanghelidjh founder and Director of ‘Kids Company’ captured my attention and creativity, with her impassioned presentation about the neuroscientific implications for the ‘abandoned child’. Camila calls for a paradigm shift (yes please….) articulating an overview of this necessary step-change, reminding us of the power of early attachment experiences and in how they can cause a form of brain injury. In particular, she promoted the need for re-parenting via a ‘salad bar’ approach that is a definite move away from ‘one size fits all’ (oh yes please!). As if that wasn’t enough inspiration, I was moved almost to tears by care experienced young adults who underscored the need for respectful recognition of the impact of nurture (or lack of) on our potentiality. Straight talking Annie Hutchison reminded us all that in spite of adversity, a little love goes a long way. Kali Perkins and Arthur Lea from the Deptford based ‘Heart and Soul’, sang their way into my heart with Kali’s self penned renditions. Luke Rodgers courageously revisited his 14 year old self and honoured us with sharing in aspects of his journey to becoming the compelling young man he is today.

Well done to the organisers of this event, who managed to intersperse the serious business of Ofsted Inspections and fee reviews alongside the even more serious business of keeping the child at the centre of what we do.

Joanna Oliver

Strategic Development Executive

Friday 21 September 2012

Finding the flexible spaces

En route to the office today, I was thinking about the dichotomy we face. There is an emphasis on less bureaucracy, for instance, via the Big (or is it big?) society agenda and the hot topic of ‘delegated authority’. Against this backdrop of more ‘freedom’ to be autonomous, is the increasing demands to evidence that we are undertaking effective practice, for instance requests from Local Authorities to prove that we CRB check our foster carers and staff. It seems that reference to robust systems, policies and procedures and being rated Outstanding by Ofsted is not enough. But that’s not the main point of this blog…..

….within this risk averse, highly legislated context, we need to maintain our ability to be creative, to be innovative, to respect our status as ‘Independent’ providers. We must hold onto this. The temptation is to become almost robotic in our response to the almost overbearing ‘requests’ for information and to lose sight of our own capacity to ‘find the flexible spaces’ that surely exist. We have known for a long time, that there is no ‘one size fits all’ and that in order to provide high quality care for children and young people, we need to be able to, as far as possible, respect the uniqueness of each situation.

After all, we are not selling refrigerators.

Joanna Oliver

Strategic Development Executive

Tuesday 28 August 2012

Growing children.......is letting them go

The role of the foster carer is awe inspiring. A significant factor in their role is in caring for a child and ensuring they feel a genuine sense of belonging and acceptance, yet also being ready to let go of the child when the time is right. That right time may not always feel right and may not always actually be right...it may be influenced by limited access to resources, or an unwelcome change in the child's circumstance. If fortunate, the right time will be when the child is ready to move on; When they are ready to leave behind the part of their lives that has served them thus far; When they are ready to move on to develop the skills needed to make a potential future life change.

The story of Tony, who is the teenager with autism profiled in a recent BBC4 programme, epitomised this perfectly. It is inevitably difficult for most parents or care givers to say goodbye to the life they shared with their child, especially when that life has been as colourful and multi dimensional as the one that I imagine Tony shared with his family. The overriding factor must have to be what is in the best interests of the child, as Tony's mum recognised, as she dropped him off to his new home in a small, residential provision. Fighting back tears and offering watery smiles, she proclaimed how happy she was for her son to be starting 'a new phase in his life' and as she poignantly and honestly added, 'and so are we'. Bravo.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01lyczl for a link to the programme and bbc.co.uk/actionline for more information

Joanna Oliver
Strategic Development Executive

Wednesday 1 August 2012

Care Home kids…..looking for love….

What fantastic TV viewing this recent BBC3 programme made . Ashley Jean-Baptiste is an incredibly compelling presenter, whose passion for the subject area is undeniable. Knowing a little about his story and his affinity with the young people he spoke with, made the programme believable – a real ‘slice of life’. As someone who has succeeded through the care system and knows all too well the impact of a childhood spent in foster homes and residential childrens’ homes, Ashleigh conveyed to us the pain of being a ‘care home kid’, who fundamentally just wanted to belong somewhere, to someone.....

……yet, he embodies the characteristics of a modern day hero – who came through that pain with a strong religious faith, an inspirational formal education and a wonderful humility and empathy for the circumstances that others, including his own mother, experience. This is a definite must see programme http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01l92z5/Care_Home_Kids_Looking_for_Love/.

Well done BBC and thank you to Ashleigh and the other young people in the programme for giving so much of yourselves to highlight the plight of children and young people who are looked after. The closing comments made by Ashleigh were most striking and serve as a reminder to all of us who may be exposed to demotivation, demoralisation and perhaps even desensitisation – especially in the face of ‘efficiency savings’: “In the care system, the main thing should be love”.

Joanna Oliver

Strategic Development Executive

Thursday 7 June 2012

We are ‘Outstanding’….but what does it mean nowadays?

At Chrysalis Care, we are extremely proud of our Ofsted ‘outstanding’ status. We have always been outstanding and were ‘excellent’ beforehand. We know all too well, the hard work and commitment that is required, not only in the weeks leading up to and during the Inspection but also on an ongoing basis. This leads me to consider what it means to be outstanding nowadays. For all of us who compile PQQs and tender documents, we know that our Ofsted rating is only one consideration amongst many and is becoming increasingly less of a priority, as ‘efficiency savings’ demand greater focus.

So, what does it mean to be ‘outstanding’ nowadays? I have noticed that at recent public forums, conversation around whether one is ‘outstanding (proclaimed loudly) or not (said in a quieter voice and perhaps accompanied by a justification), has shifted focus to a much more philosophical one, debating the validity of the Ofsted rating. This is not to say that the rating is not important, per sé but consideration to it in context is unsurprising in times of austerity measures. In spite of a more concerted effort to focus on the experiences and outcomes for children and young people, the Ofsted process is ultimately a culmination and recognition of being able to produce the evidence! Inevitably, this brings us back to the age-old discussion about how investing in paperwork can compromise the time afforded to ‘face-to-face’ work – and we all know that engagement is the essence of social work – but that’s another blog!

A key question is, if our efforts are centred on achieving ‘outstanding’ at the expense of the time that the largely bureaucratic tendering process demands and then in reality, those providers who are successful in the tender process, achieve this with a ‘good’ or even ‘satisfactory’ Ofsted rating, what is the true value of ‘outstanding’ nowadays? I’m sure the debate will continue……….

Joanna Oliver, Strategic Development Executive

Wednesday 23 May 2012

A right Royal celebration!

Our Registered Manager, Ian Dixon, attended the Fostering Network’s ‘A celebration of Fostering’ event last night, at the Royal Festival Hall. The event gave an opportunity to celebrate the fantastic work of foster carers nationwide and in light of the recent focus upon adoption, through the well publicised ‘Give a Child a Home’ initiative, the spotlight upon foster carers was extremely welcome.

Amongst some fantastic and powerful testimonies, speeches and performances from care experienced people and foster carers who also represent the Fostering Network at Board level, Tim Loughton MP, the Children’s Minister, gave a speech to be reckoned with. The speech, which Ian describes as ‘impassioned’, can be found at: http://www.education.gov.uk/inthenews/speeches/a00202579/timloughtonspeaksfosteringnetwork . Importantly, Tim Loughton asserted that the drive to support the fostering task is a priority, that there is a need to reduce bureaucracy and to recognise the professional autonomy of foster carers, stating that: “Foster carers are consummate professionals and we need to treat them as such. For too long, this simply hasn’t happened.” Hear, hear. Tim went on to say: “I am very clear that we must continue to support foster carers to do the best possible job. To make them feel valued. And to recognise the life changing role they play.”

The voices of children and young people and the wider foster care workforce have been rightly centralised, so if you have anything to contribute to the growing dialogue about the importance of foster care, ‘Tell Tim’ at:

http://www.education.gov.uk/childrenandyoungpeople/families/childrenincare/telltim

Joanna Oliver, Strategic Development Executive

Wednesday 2 May 2012

Blog – Preparation for Leaving Care?


I’m not a great fan of labels. In fact, I am possibly diametrically opposed to them, for the restrictions that they can place on the individuality of people, especially people who may experience social oppression and systematic stereotyping, such as our children and young people who are looked after. Today, my position is in jeopardy as I consider all of the young people who are about to leave the care system and who though in age are ‘ready’ (yet, are many of us really ready at that age?), do not have the emotional capacity to manage the transition. I’m talking about the young people who may be expected to move from the containment of their ‘specialist’ school to an FE college. I’m also talking about the young people who have not been formally assessed (and won’t be) for dyslexia but are showing clear signs that they are. Then there’s the young person approaching the age where they are expected to be able to budget and navigate public transport but this is in no way feasible for them because they are demonstrating signs of Aspergers syndrome.


None of these young people have formal labels and hence, none of them are receiving additional support or considerations that they do not and will not fit or meet the criteria for a smooth transition into independence. In the absence of a label, there is of course the tacit knowledge of the foster carer, who may have the insight into the specific needs of a young person but without the label are not supported by the system to source what is needed to meet these needs.


So no, I’m not a fan of labels but I am considerably more opposed to young people not receiving the support they truly need, to be who they truly are and who they can be, in society. Surely this is the true intention behind ‘preparation for independence’?


Joanna Oliver


Strategic Development Executive

Thursday 16 February 2012

FC Comments

Really enjoyed all training I have done with Chrysalis so far this year.

All courses although vastly different have been not only enjoyable
but very good for future practice.  

FosterCarer Nov 11

Tuesday 14 February 2012

I’m not like Tracy Beaker!

Congratulations to Young Minds for their research with looked after young people. I was privileged to attend the seminar with my social work colleague, Katy, held at the South Bank Centre last night and it has left an indelible imprint upon me – Ian Dixon, said it is almost palpable today – I can’t stop raving about the event.


In a climate where we are encouraged more and more to centralise children’s voices, this event made no apologies for doing just that…from South Bank’s artist in residence, Lemn Sissay’s impassioned words about the ‘superhero-like’ skills and capabilities of children who are looked after and his fantastic autobiographic poetry, through to the ‘letter to a corporate parent’, a culmination of words from looked after young people in Worcestershire, read out by Jenny Clifton from the Office of the Children’s Commissioner.

Charlotte Levene from Young Minds delivered the ‘findings’ of her work with young people; the content was compelling and the delivery was respectful of the creative input of young people and alongside Beattie’s eloquent and imaginative conveyance of the work contributed by young people to the ‘Flourish’ project, this made for a powerful, emotive, timely and inspiring event.

It was great to hear from Sarah Brennan, who reminded me that ‘passion’ for work with young people is an inherent thread that permeates the hierarchical structure, an important message in current times when eyes are on efficiency savings. Inevitably, we at Chrysalis Care will continue to keep our eyes on ways of doing ‘more for less’ but our ears?....well they are firmly tuned into the voices of young people.

Joanna Oliver

Strategic Development Executive.

Tuesday 31 January 2012

Our Foster Carer

One of our foster carers, Avril Head has fostered 140 children over 30 years and is featured in the Times newspaper (January 24th 2012).  Visit the article for more: http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/public/sitesearch.do?querystring=Avril+head&p=tto&pf=all&bl=on

Thursday 26 January 2012

No Ceiling to Hope? – Working for a Better Society

Today, I have read two news items that have struck a chord – firstly, the XLP Annual Report (http://www.xlp.org.uk/) and I also downloaded the sample chapter from Patrick Regan’s latest book: ‘No ceiling to hope’. The work of XLP is inspiring and I look forward to attending their open day on 1st March 2012. They produce some t-shirts – must get one – with slogans such as: ‘I refuse to believe this is a lost generation’. As someone committed to enrichment and a believer that there truly is no celing – it IS possible for young people (or anyone, whatever age) to turn themselves around and with the right support and guidance and environment, to make better choices, for their own lives, for their community and for a better society.



The other news item was a link sent to me by my colleague, Julie Collins, which was from the CEO of the NSPCC, Andrew Flanagan (http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/andrew-flanagan/child-protection-we-need-a-rethink_b_1176853.html). Again, Andrew is clearly passionate about the protection of children and in the commitment of us all: “It's not just a 'Big Society' but a 'Better Society'; a society that does not look to others to act, but is willing to act themselves.” Hear, hear - our social responsibility is absolutely key to making the changes that policy and legislation clearly cannot.


This is a bitter sweet blog…Andrew promotes that dwindling resources now be redirected to the priority of younger children but what about all of those young people who surely cannot be considered the lost generation (?): Is the choice that crude? This is not a criticism of the latter news story (a blog worth airing in my view) but it does bring to the forefront the complexity of the struggle.


Yes, babies and young children need to be protected and nurtured. Yes, parents and families need to be supported and empowered. Yes, young people need to be provided with supportive and inspiring environments to flourish and make good -no great – choices.


At Chrysalis Care, we believe in children – a child is a child until they are eighteen years old – please let us never forget this. There are other agencies that do fantastic work with adults, confirming the ‘hope has no ceiling’ mantra. It is imperative that we do not give up on hope for better – if we believe, we can achieve.


Joanna Oliver, Strategic Development Executive

Tuesday 24 January 2012

Chrysalis Care supports ‘Give a child a home’

Our Registered Manager, Ian Dixon, was recently invited to meet the Prime Minister and other Senior Ministers and Directors for a round table discussion about fostering and adoption. This event was on the national news albeit he didn't get into camera shot!

Ian said: “This was a proud event for Chrysalis Care and demonstrates that (as fostering providers), we DO have a bigger, as in the Bigger arena on how we shape fostering in the future. It was a short meeting but nonetheless, good for us at Chrysalis Care and I hope the discussion helped the Prime Minister have a better understanding of how we all work together.”

At Chrysalis Care, we are committed to contributing to improving the services that children and young people receive, so that they can have the positive life experiences that all children should enjoy. We are extremely pleased that fostering and adoption is receiving the attention that it is and valued being invited to be a part of this event.

visit: http://www.giveachildahome.co.uk/

Ian Dixon/Joanna Oliver

Thursday 19 January 2012

Crisis looms for foster care in 2012

At least 8,750 new foster families need to be found across the UK in the next 12 months to avoid a crisis in foster care in 2012, the Fostering Network has warned today (20 December).

The new figures show the scale of the challenge for fostering services as they struggle to provide the right foster homes for all the children who need them.

The number of children in care who need foster homes has risen for five years in a row, and is continuing to rise. There is also an ageing foster carer population and around 14 per cent of the workforce retire or leave every year.

Without these extra families, too many children will have to settle for second best. This might mean living with a foster carer who is a long way from the child’s home, school and family, or who does not have space for their brothers and sisters, or even living in residential care when fostering has been identified as the right option.

Robert Tapsfield, chief executive of the Fostering Network, said: “These figures are alarming – we could be facing a real crisis when looking to provide the most appropriate care for children who cannot live with their own family.

“All children in care need a family they can grow up with who can love them, be ambitious for them and help them achieve their potential. For a growing number, foster care is the best option.

“By becoming a foster carer people can help the children they welcome into their homes to have the best possible opportunity of a positive future, do well at school and be successful in later life."

An extra 7,100 foster carers are needed in England, 1,000 in Scotland, 550 in Wales and 100 in Northern Ireland.