Category adoption

Could you be a Stepping Stones carer?

2 November 2022 · by · in adoption, Cllr Tessa Munt, Councillor Tessa Munt, Families and Children, fostering, Latest information, Press releases, Recruitment

Somerset County Council is highlighting the need to recruit more ‘Stepping Stones’ carers to support young care leavers.  Stepping Stones carers support young care leavers aged 16-21, who are making the transition from care to independent living, but are not yet ready to live on their own. This involves providing them with a safe place to stay, helping them gain important life skills […]

Celebrating Somerset’s Children Looked After and Young People

29 July 2022 · by · in adoption, Annual Achievement Awards, Cllr Tessa Munt, Events, families, Families and Children, fostering, Press releases, SEND, Social Care

The achievements of more than 360 Somerset children looked after and young people in care have been celebrated at the return of the Annual Achievement Awards. Somerset County Council recognised 364 children and young people for their outstanding efforts following nominations from social workers, leaving care workers, schools, and other Children’s Services professionals. The entrants […]

Food vouchers return for Summer Holidays

20 July 2022 · by · in adoption, Adult Social Care, education, families, Families and Children, fostering, SEND, youth services

Schools will once again provide food vouchers to families eligible for Free School Meals to combat holiday hunger over the summer holidays. Somerset County Council is distributing approximately £1.2m from the Government’s Household Support Fund directly to schools to help fund food vouchers for children eligible for Free School Meals over the summer holidays. The […]

Children and young people help shape the new Children and Young People’s Plan for Somerset.

19 July 2022 · by · in adoption, Children, Young People and Families Plan, domestic abuse, education, families, Families and Children, fostering, Prevention, Schools, SEND, Social Care

Children and young people from across the county have helped shaped Somerset’s new Children and Young People’s Plan, providing a link between what children have asked us to do and partners strategic priorities. The Children’s and Young People Plan has been co-produced by the Somerset Safeguarding Children Partnership with children and young people and strategic […]

Share your story for Foster Care Fortnight to win £500 in vouchers

3 May 2022 · by · in adoption, fostering, Latest information, Libraries, Press releases

Somerset residents of all ages are being encouraged to get creative for the chance to win £500 in vouchers for their short story,  To celebrate Foster Care Fortnight from 9th – 22nd May, Fostering In Somerset has teamed up with Somerset Libraries to run an exciting competition, encouraging people to visit their local library and […]

Adoption Judgement Press Statement – November 2021

25 November 2021 · by · in adoption, Cllr Frances Nicholson, Latest information, Press releases

Somerset County Council welcomed a High Court judgment acknowledging that decisions made in respect of the adoption of ten children in Somerset were in their best interests and lawful, despite procedural irregularities at the early stages of the adoption process. The High Court considered in September whether appropriate medical information had been requested of the […]

Celebrations for Children In Care

5 August 2021 · by · in adoption, fostering, Latest information, Press releases, Social Care, Uncategorized

The efforts and achievements of more than 360 Somerset children and young people in care have been celebrated at the return of the Annual Achievement Awards. 367 children and young people were recognised for their efforts through nominations from Somerset County Council foster carers, schools, social and youth workers and other Children’s Services professionals. The […]

Coronavirus – have a plan for your pets

22 April 2020 · by · in adoption, Uncategorized

Animal owners are being urged to think ahead about protecting their pets should they fall ill during the Coronavirus crisis. Whether furry, feathered or scaly; having a plan for how animals will be looked after if their owner become unwell makes life easier if it does happen. It will also mean the animal’s welfare won’t […]

Flying the Flag for LGBT Fostering

5 March 2019 · by · in adoption, Families and Children, fostering, Press releases

Somerset County Council flew the rainbow flag at County Hall this week, to mark LGBT Fostering week. Somerset County Council joined forces with other local authorities also flying LGBT flags, offering a symbol of support for those in the LGBT community, who want to make a difference to children’s lives. Caroline and her partner Liz […]

New Regional Adoption Agency will reduce waiting times for children awaiting adoption

12 April 2018 · by · in adoption, Cllr Frances Nicholson, Press releases, Social Care

Local authority adoption services in Devon, Plymouth, Torbay and Somerset are joining forces to become a single regional adoption service, under the banner Adopt South West. The move, required by the Government, is expected to improve the adoption process; making it simpler for adoptive parents, and quicker so children awaiting adoption are waiting less time. […]