The last week has seen some of Affinity’s work practices return to some new normality, but as we know, future plans for a new normality at large, including school re-openings, are dependent on the UK’s R (or Reproduction) rating (which indicate the number of people a single infected person will go on to infect). At the end of last week, this allegedly stood below the Government’s target of 1, which is good news.
This could mean their “Step 2” commencing from next week, which includes a phased return to schools, particularly primary and nursery. We will not, of course, know this until the Government confirm it, and it still leaves a lot of questions, including the rest of schools, work arrangements, seeing friends and family, and when other services in “Step 3” might open including shops and pubs re-opening, which are tentatively planned for July.
What we do know, is that each and every one of you continue to make us, and the young people you care for, immensely proud. The reports of home schooling, activities, creative thinking and keeping up morale continue to lift us all. The good news is that we are, it seems, heading in the right direction in beating this virus, but please don’t be complacent, and stay safe. We will see what Boris has to say in his address tomorrow.
Andy Robins, Assistant Director.
Affinity remains at full strength in our staffing levels and have no cases of Covid-19 in staff, carer or young people. Our office team of Izzy, Joanie and Karen are now back at Ingatestone Hall, working with relevant social distancing measures and hygiene practices in place.
Our Participation and Support Workers are out in the field again following the Government’ Social Distancing guidelines. Support is being offered to all P&C placements and prioritised for other young people depending on individual needs. Support sessions are shortened due to the restrictions on where they can go, but this is an important stepping-stone in restoring our practice.
New support group sessions are taking place in the first week of June, over 14 smaller virtual sessions, hosted by a Social Worker, Lesley our Practice Manager or Greg our Registered Manager. If you are not on one, and would like to be, please let us know asap!
Our Mental Health Training has seen a huge amount of interest from you, which is brilliant. So much so, we have put on an additional date of training. This training, delivered by an external trainer, will be run between the 17th and 24th June. You should all have the dates that you are booked in, so please save these!
A very warm welcome to two new foster carers who were presented to Foster Panel on 23rd May. They live in Bexley and have moved to Affinity from another Fostering Agency and are looking forward to the family feel that Affinity is renowned for. Their Supervising Social Worker is Julie Cook who will be supporting them through their induction and they are really looking forward to young people being placed with them. Welcome!
Our social media continues to remain open and providing useful content, including sites and links for educational matter and interesting activities during this time, on our Instagram page and Facebook page. We are also, and will be providing more, useful blogs with similarly useful content and pieces to read of interest, so stay connected and tuned in!
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