Welcome to Starz Fostering
Starz Fostering CIC is an Independent Fostering Agency with a family feel, based in Emneth, Norfolk. Our agency provides trauma informed foster care arrangements for children and young people with our approved Foster Carers. Our fostering families are supported by a dedicated staff team who provide support and guidance 24 hours a day.
We are currently recruiting new Foster Carers in Wisbech, Kings Lynn, Sandringham, Downham Market, Holbeach, Spalding, Peterborough, March, Chatteris, Ely and surrounding areas.
We welcome applications from those new to fostering and from experienced Foster Carers looking to transfer fostering providers. To find out more contact a member of our team on 07765 456972 or email us at info@starzfosteringcic.co.uk.
In November 2022 we had our first Ofsted inspection since the agency was registered and we are proud to have achieved an overall rating of 'Good'.
Starz Fostering Mission Statement
The Starz Fostering’s mission is to create a sense of ‘family’ in the development of our services, ensuring children and young people remain at the core of our provision. The Starz ‘family’ will also encourage the children and young people to believe in themselves and ensure they have support available to help them achieve the best possible outcomes for their futures.
Starz Fostering Vision
- To provide safe, high-quality trauma informed and therapeutically underpinned foster care arrangement's for children and young people who are looked after.
- To provide an environment which enables children and young people to reach their full potential and achieve positive outcomes.
- For our Foster Carers and staff to remain passionate about providing the best possible service.
- To support children and young people fully into their most appropriate future setting, which could be returning to family, moving to independent living or being offered continued support through ‘staying put’ with their former Foster Carers.
- For young people who were permanently placed with their Starz Foster Carers to be supported by the Starz leaving care programme up to the age of 27 years old.
How We Achieve Our Vision
Recruit, Train And Supervise Excellent Foster Carers.
We offer excellent training and support to those interested in applying to becoming Foster Carers and our approved Foster Carers.
For our approved Foster Carers this includes regular supervision, we aim for supervision to be held once per month with a qualified Social Worker, bi-monthly clinical supervision with Verbatim Therapy and Consultancy Service, training, events for the children and/or family activities and regular consultation on the service we provide.
We also provide a very competitive fee.
Trauma Informed Service With Therapeutically Underpinned Care
We believe that by giving our Foster Carers quality, accessible and knowledgeable support and supervision they will be better equipped to care for and meet the needs of the children and young people placed in their care.
We provide additional training on the impact of trauma on children due to Adverse Childhood Experiences also known as ACE's from the outset, to help our Foster Carers and team to provide therapeutic foster care placements for the children and young people referred to our service.
More About Starz Fostering
Activities For Our Children And Young People
Our team organises several activities throughout the year for all the children and young people linked to Starz; this could include, graffiti workshops, pantomimes, attending local events or arts and crafts workshops.
We also hold competitions and consultations for the children and young people.
For further examples please visit the 'Past Events' section.
Children And Young People Who Are Members Of A Family Who Fosters
We realise how hard it can be for birth children to share their family with a new child. During home visits the Supervising Social Worker will aim to speak to each child and young person living in the home at least once every three months on their own with visits planned at times, they will be home.
We are currently working on a project with children whose family fosters to develop a ‘Welcome Leaflet’ detailing who members of the team are and how to contact us if they have any worries or concerns specifically tailored for the birth children of approved Foster Carers.
Life Skills And Preparing For Independence
Everyone at Starz is dedicated to providing the children and young people in their care with the skills and knowledge for their future independence. An experience Starz Foster Carer is working with the team to develop Starz Preparing For Independence Workbooks to support children and young people develop their life skills as they are preparing for their future independence. The workbook will cover a wide range of subjects including health, relationships, budgeting and life skills.
Starz also provides advice and guidance for Foster Carers who are considering caring for a young person in their care after their 18th birthday which is known as ‘Staying Put’.
Post 18 Support
All our young people who have been permanently placed with their Starz Foster Carers can turn to us for practical help and in some circumstances financial assistance up to the age of 27.
Life Story
Often children and young people who are ‘looked after’ will complete life story work with their Social Worker or a Professional Assistant from the social care team.
Our Foster Carers are supported by the team to keep a ‘Treasured Memories’ box for the children and young people in their care including mementos from days out and photos.
Where agreed support can be provided by a member of our team or by an Independent Social Worker to support a child/young person to complete their life story.
Consultation & Participation
We value feedback from everyone who uses our service. Every child, young person, Prospective Foster Carer and Foster Carer will be listened to, and their views actively inform our practice and the development of our service.
We also seek the views of the social care team, families of the children who are looked after (where possible), Panel Members and other service providers through consultation opportunities.
Equality, Diversity & inclusion Statement
Our Values
At Starz Fostering CIC we believe in the strength of diverse perspectives, backgrounds and communities and we always celebrate difference. As a community interest company we are fully committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable environment where our staff, contractors, volunteers and Foster Carers regardless of ethnicity, race, age, religion, sex, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, neurodiversity, ability or disability are valued, empowered, and have equal opportunities to contribute to changing the lives of children and young people and reflect the Foster Carer community we serve. We stay actively committed to the endeavour of sustaining a diverse culture that reflects the exceptional individuality of the children and young people we work with.
Our Vision
Our vision is to achieve a more equitable, diverse, and inclusive workforce by ensuring equality, diversity and inclusion is reflected in our values and embedded in our practises and individual behaviours. We offer a programme of equality, diversity and inclusion training for our staff and fostering community to educate and equip Foster Carers and colleagues with the knowledge and tools to promote anti-racism and value all strands of diversity & inclusion.
Our Responsibility
Starz Fostering CIC complies with the Equality Act 2010 and we understand our duties under it. Our equal opportunities policy and strategy aims to raise awareness of discrimination at all levels. It clearly explains how everyone is responsible for ensuring their behaviours and actions are in accordance with the policy. As an organisation we would treat any reports of discrimination seriously. Should such a report arise, Starz Fostering CIC will ensure it is investigated and appropriate action taken in line with our internal policies and procedures.
