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FCA promotes local fostering needs through new website service

Foster Care Associates (FCA), reportedly the UK's largest Independent Fostering Agency, has added a new geographically targeted section to its website to provide locally-based fostering information and placement needs to its visitors.

Under the heading 'Your local FCA', the website now offers readers information about FCA and fostering in their local area, divided between the agency's 14 operating regions.

Visitors can now access regional FCA news, information about forthcoming fostering events in their community and learn more about their local fostering team through FCA staff profiles. There is also a range of local FCA foster carer stories to give a better insight into becoming a foster carer as well as information about the specific placement needs in line with Local Authority referrals. Directions and contact information for the company's regional and local FCA offices complete the individual sections, which are presented via a tabbed format.

With over 80 local offices spread throughout the UK, the new website feature adds better scope for FCA to communicate its range of locally based support services to potential and existing foster carers. It also complements the wealth of existing information about becoming a foster carer and wider fostering information through a total of over 500 unique pages.

Marie-Louise Allred, Marketing Manager for FCA, commented: "People who enquire about fostering tell us how important knowing about our local infrastructure and support services is to them. The new website section presents this information in a simple and easy to access format so that prospective carers can learn about the staff, carers, young people, events and offices in their local area.

"Fostering can be an isolating role so knowing what an agency has to offer in your local area is vital in the decision making process. Over the next few months we will be adding even more local information to these sections so that prospective carers really understand what FCA has to offer in their community."

The provision of a locally based service is central to the agency's unique Team Parenting approach to foster care, which is based upon the principle of delivering a holistic range of therapeutic support services to the foster carer and to the child. Team Parenting is proven to achieve positive outcomes for looked after children and young people across the UK.

The new website functionality is part of a wider phased redevelopment of the FCA website, which includes a new Home page and a forthcoming new Media Centre.

FACTFILE:
Foster Care Associates (FCA), part of the Core Assets Group Ltd, is the UK's leading Independent Fostering Agency, with offices operating throughout England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Working in partnership with Local Authorities and Health Trusts throughout the UK, FCA aims to provide 'quality care in a family setting' for over 2600 foster children who are looked after by the agency's 2200 foster families.

www.thefca.co.uk

Pocket savings with FREE sport sessions for kids from YAZOO

Keeping your children entertained after school can be an expensive, time consuming business with the rising costs of after school clubs, coupled with your hectic work schedules!


It is little surprise to find mum and dad struggling to juggle every day life while sticking within a weekly budget. The latest Which? survey (July 2011) states that 86% of British adults said that compared to a year ago, their grocery bill has increased, meaning day-to-day savings have become an even higher priority for families. To help save families time and money, YAZOO has teamed up with Premier Sport (Playball in Ireland) to offer free sport activities for kids, worth up to £15.00 per session.

Whether it’s before school, during lunchtime or at the end of the school day, Premier Sport provides kids a whole host of activities available at flexible times to suit parent’s needs. With cheerleading, dancing, football and tag rugby on the agenda, kids can stay active and healthy, but equally importantly, just have fun.

YAZOO milkshake is the perfect drink for children after playing sports as a recent study found that active children are better off drinking milk than water or sports drinks. Parents can also feel confident that YAZOO is a healthier alternative for their kids as it’s school approved.

Signing up to a free activity couldn’t be simpler; after purchasing a multipack of YAZOO Chocolate, Strawberry or Banana, log on to the website, www.yazoo.co.uk and enter the unique code to produce a voucher for a free activity session with Premier Sport. Mums and dads will then be guided to the Premier Sport website to sign up for their child’s chosen activity. Premier Sport activity clubs are available across the UK, making it even easier for mum to keep the kids entertained during the working week.

For further information on this offer, please visit http://www.yazoo.co.uk

That's Holiday: Free Car Booster Seats To Take On Holiday

That's Holiday: Free Car Booster Seats To Take On Holiday: Independent luxury travel company Classic Collection Holidays ( www.classic-collection.co.uk freephone 0800 294 9315) is giving complimentary booster seats

Little Terra Develops Online Guide To Child Back Carriers

Child back carriers are enjoying a growth in popularity, as parents enjoy the freedom and convenience of taking their youngster about the town or country without the limitations of a pushchair. But, choosing the right type of carrier can be a challenge, with so much choice and variety in the marketplace.

Now Little Terra has produced a free downloadable guide to help you make an informed choice when selecting a children’s back carrier.

Available online at www.littleterra.co.uk/choosingchildcarriers the guide is packed full of information including fitting, frame construction, weight considerations and accessories.

Carolyn Budding, the managing director of Little Terra, said: “Child back carriers are invaluable pieces of gear when spending time outdoors with a youngster.

“They enable people to navigate across places that might be more difficult to access in a pushchair, such as over stiles during countryside walks, and children enjoy the elevated position and close contact to the carrier they offer.

“We recommend that carriers are generally suitable for children from six months who can sit unaided. However, coupled with the age factor, there are a number of areas to consider when purchasing this type of equipment and we hope this guide helps signpost people to make the right choice.”

www.littleterra.co.uk

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Happiness is all in a Cuddle: HUGGIES® Natural Fit release Oxytocin survey results

Parents should have as much cuddle time as possible with their newborns. Because new survey results released today by HUGGIES® Natural Fit and Netmums, revealed that almost two-thirds (62%) of new mums are unaware of the benefits of the hormone Oxytocin, when caring for their little ones.

Reassuringly though, over half (55%) strongly believe cuddling is the key to encourage a stronger bond with their baby but 22% do not know why.

HUGGIES® Natural Fit’s independent spokeswoman, Dr. Carol Cooper says: “Oxytocin has long been dubbed the cuddle or love hormone and is produced in high levels during both cuddling and breast feeding.

“Becoming a mum for the first time can be a daunting task. It’s therefore important that more mums are aware that there are so many more benefits to cuddling your baby.

“In fact, research by the Basel’s Institute of Psychology claims mothers with high levels of Oxytocin adapt to motherhood far easier and are less likely to suffer from post-natal depression. Postnatal depression can last up to two years post birth which indicates that the more tactile contact a mother has with her child, the better for both parties.”

The research also revealed that while more than half of mums (52%) cuddle their baby immediately, 42% believe that they should wait so that the baby does not expect immediate attention.

Dr. Cooper comments: “Research has shown that babies who aren’t comforted when they need it actually become more demanding, not less. Parents eventually discover from experience, that there is very little to be gained by waiting for a baby’s cries to reach a crescendo - babies that have reached this point are much harder to pacify.

Dr. Cooper also speaks of the wider social implications associated with a lack of physical affection: “Evidence shows that the part of the brain, known as the Orbitofrontal Cortex, may not mature properly in babies who do not receive enough affection. This region of the brain is still mysterious, but it acknowledged as being vital to decision-making and emotional processing.

“It’s clear that mums are already building a bond with their little ones through a cuddle but I do hope this survey shows all mums that there are many more benefits beyond the initial feel-good factor of a cuddle.

“To put it simply, where there’s mum with high levels of Oxytocin there is a happier mum and a baby getting lots of cuddles and the best start in life.”