A total of 240 foster carers in England and Scotland will be taking part in a £4m programme from June that seeks to use social pedagogy to improve the outcomes of looked-after children.
Led by the Fostering Network, the Head, Heart, Hands scheme will be trialled in six areas over four years.
The carers will receive training in social pedagogy, which focuses on children’s development and draws on a number of disciplines including psychology, philosophy and sociology. They will also get support from a team of 12 social pedagogues, including some from Denmark and Germany.
Robert Tapsfield, chief executive of the Fostering Network, says the approach can improve relationships between foster carers and children, leading to better outcomes. “In the UK, we have developed an approach that is focused on systems and processes, and tends to be risk-averse,” he says. “Social pedagogy fits with the move we want to make in this country to place more emphasis on relationships.”
Register Now to Continue Reading
Thank you for visiting Children & Young People Now and making use of our archive of more than 60,000 expert features, topics hubs, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:
What's Included
-
Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month
-
Email newsletter providing advice and guidance across the sector
Already have an account? Sign in here
