AFFINITY “EXTRAORDINARY” TIMES

Foreword

It has been another extraordinary week in all of our lives, and the latest advice to stay at home wherever possible is causing enormous challenges for us all, but we appreciate everything that you are doing to keep your households safe and healthy.

We know that many of these challenges will continue for much the foreseeable future, and we will continue to offer our services as fully as we are able, during these difficult times. Many of you have been letting us know how you are getting on, in these early days, with photos of the young people enjoying or enduring education at home, getting involved in home exercise and other activities. It is brilliant to see, and one of these is at the end of this newsletter.

We continue to observe closely all coronavirus developments and continue to adapt and contingency plan for the future weeks and months ahead. It may be a rocky road, but one we are all enduring together, and I’m particularly proud of the entire Affinity family at this difficult time.

Andy Robins, Assistant Director.

Weekly Update on the Coronavirus

With all households now in an effective “lockdown” state, until at least the 13th April, some households are completely self-isolating, and others are with the exception of young people attending school. We are in regular contact with all of our foster carers, of whom some are showing symptoms of coronavirus. However, as yet, no staff, foster carers or young people have been officially diagnosed or hospitalised with the virus.

Additional Support for each household 

Due to the lockdown situation, we are providing support for extra resources for the Affinity Family Foster Carers. 

Schooling challenges

It is fair to say that we have been receiving a mixed bag in terms of provision being provided by schools, with some remaining open for young people with a social worker, and some closing completely including SEN schools. Where schools are closed, schoolwork should be provided, if not Virtual Heads are being contacted. Schooling expectations from local authorities also vary by each local authority provider and local authority social worker. We are working with each local authority corporate parent to negotiate these challenges, and each fostering household, to ensure suitable decisions are being made. However, the default position for Affinity is that young people should still be attending school where this is available, suitable to their needs and suitable to the needs of our foster carers.

Social Media

Our social media continues to remain open and providing potentially very useful content, including sites and links for educational matter and interesting activities during this time, on our Instagram page and Facebook page. We are, and will continue to, write helpful and supportive blogs with useful content and pieces to read of interest, so stay connected and tuned in!