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Debra Gibbs Baker: Director
- Approved Foster Carer: Local Authority 1984-1998
- Chairperson Foster Care Executive Committee Surrey 1986-1992
- Independent Foster Care Consultant 1992 - 1999
- Manager Foster Carers Out of Hours helpline (Local Authority ) 1998-2001
- Director Fostering Support Ltd 1999 - ongoing
Credentials
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Consultant and Speaker:
- British Agency Adoption and Fostering
- Association Directors Social Services
- Federation Department des Assistannts
- National Foster Care Association
- Fostering Network
- Reference Group Quality Protects
- Fostering Services - getting the best from Policy Audit
- Foster Care, A National Perspective (ADSS)
- UK Working Group (DoH) UK National Standards in Foster Care (1999)
- UK Working Group (DoH) Code of Practice Recruitment Assessment Approval Training Management and Support of Foster Carers (1999)
- Foster Care in Crisis (NFCA)
- UK National Standards and Regulations
- Allegations and Serious Concerns; a survival kit for Foster Carers
- Investigating Allegations and Serious Concerns; how to support Foster Carers
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Ann Murphy: Mediator Counsellor
- I qualified as a Social Worker in 1995, following which I was employed within local authority children and families teams until 2001, where my work included Child Protection, Youth Offending, Children with Disabilities and Children Looked After. I then moved to the Fostering and Adoption Service, a post I held until 2009. I have 4 grown up children and 3 grandchildren (soon to be 4). The knowledge and understanding gained from being a birth parent, child-minder, foster carer and adopter has provided me with a wide range of experience from each of these roles. I have significant and substantial personal and professional experience, gained over many years, and believe that I am in a unique position to provide practical and emotional support to foster carers and to fostering services alike.
Brief Profile
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Qualifications:
- BSc. Honours Applied Psychology – 1993
- Diploma in Social Work – 1995
- Masters Degree in Social Work – 1996
- Certificate in Counselling Skills for the Helping and Teaching Profession - 1999
- Post Qualifying Award in Social Work – 2003
- Admitted to the General Social Care Council on 21st March 2005 and re-registered on 21st March 2008 (Registration No: 1052318)
- Registered Child Minder, Local Authority: 1982 - 1987
- Approved Foster Carer, Local Authority: 1983 – 1997
- Chair Person, Local Authority Foster Care Association: 1989 - 1991
- Social Worker, Children and Families, Local Authority: 1995 – 2001
- Supervising Social Worker, Adoption & Fostering, Local Authority: 2001 – 2009
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Laura Coan: Counsellor
- Laura has been providing counselling for over 3 years, helping people over the phone as well as meeting with clients coming into the centres.
- She is a member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). Laura is experienced in counselling people with a wide range of issues including drug addiction, depression, mental health issues and abuse.
- Laura’s studies in counselling saw her gain certification over 3 years ago. She is currently developing her practiced skills whilst studying for a professional diploma at London College of Chelsea and Kensington as well as working towards her accreditation with the BACP.
Brief Profile
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Education:
- Certification counselling (2006)
- SIT training (2008)
- Professional Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling (ongoing)
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Rebecca Thomas: Mediator Counsellor
- I qualified as a social worker in 1987, specialising in work with children and families. Following this I worked in a child care team for Hampshire County Council until 1991 undertaking all aspects of child protection, family placement, and direct therapeutic work with children and their families. After this time I stopped full-time work to raise my family. Since then I have been employed on a freelance basis first by Hampshire
County Council to undertake adoption assessments and more recently by Portsmouth City Council to undertake foster carer assessments. My husband and I were also approved by Hampshire to provide
emergency foster placement and subsequent respite care for a specific child during the early 1990s. I believe the experience I have gained throughout my training, as a social worker practitioner, parent
and foster carer has given me the skills, insight and empathy to
undertake this role in supporting foster carers in an informed and
professional manner.
Brief Profile
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Qualifications:
- BA Hons Degree in Applied Social Studies
- CQSW (Certificate of qualification in Social Work)
- Admitted to the General Social Council on March 27th 2006 and subsequently re-registered on March 27th 2009. (Registration Number: 1123435)
Membership:
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Mike Thomas: Mediator Counsellor
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I have been involved in foster care for 30 years, having worked as a family placement social worker, and managed local authority and independent services. I am also a foster carer and have been for nearly 20 years, having fostered for both LA’s and IFA’s. Foster carers undertake a difficult job and in this role need proper training and a professional approach. This extends to receiving the correct support through the difficult process of allegation and concern. Having been on both sides of this issue I bring a unique understanding of all aspects of the process and will be able to provide practical and emotional support in an informed and professional manner.
Brief Profile
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Credentials:
- Approved foster carer since 1989
- Manager of fostering services (local authority and independent agency)
- Independent foster care consultant 2003/4 and 2009 to date
- Fostering network Board of trustees 1988/1991
- FRG conference 1989
- IFCO conference Dublin 2009
- tFN conference York 2009
- tFN trainer 1995-2005; 2009 to date
- Independent trainer 2005 to date
- Fostering Recovery in Traumatised Children (with T Philpott) JKP2009
Consultancy/Speaker/Training
Publications
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Katie Thackray: Support Officer
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I am currently studying Applied Child Psychology at University and hoping to do more practical work with Children in Care when I qualify.
My own childhood experiences have lead to me feeling passionately about children in the Looked After system and I feel by helping foster carers through difficult times it will help ensure that children go on to receive the best care possible.
My role in the office is mostly administrative but I am often the person people will speak to first when they call. I also arrange meetings and appointments for the team, liaise with Social Workers and Team Managers and I am always available to answer any questions any one might have.
Brief Profile
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Qualifications:
- Foundation Degree in Social Studies
- Professional Certificate in Business Management
- MSc in Applied Child Psychology (ongoing)
- Foundation Degree in Counselling (ongoing)
- Student Member of the British Psychological Society (Membership No: 242378)
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Mediation Counsellor required; carrying out Mediation between Foster Carers and Fostered Children / Young People / Parents / Social Workers or Community members in connection to allegations or complaints in order to retain or return placement stability.
This person should be a Member of British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy or Open College Network accredited in mediation skills have an understanding of children and young people with complex emotional and social needs and of the fostering role, be able to work independently within supervision and have good recording reporting skills.
This person will have an Enhanced CRB certificate and an ability to retain paramount focus on the welfare of the child.
This role is flexible in terms of pay and conditions to suit the right person.
Please apply in writing to:
Debra Gibbs-Baker
The Old Chapel
Stroud
Hampshire
GU32 3PD
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Copyright 2003 . Debra Gibbs