The summer holidays are nearly here! In this blog we have put together some of our top tips for foster carers supporting babies, children and young people over the school break.
Note: in this blog we use ‘children’ to refer to babies, children and young people.
1. Change of routine
The summer holidays can be exciting, but for some children the change of daily routine may be unsettling. Planning each week ahead of time can be helpful to ensure everyone in the home knows what is going to happen each week.
You could get everyone involved with designing and drawing a summer holiday calendar together and agree a central place where it is going to be kept or displayed. It may be helpful to keep some parts of the day/week consistent if this is an area where your foster child struggles, for example keeping mealtimes or bedtime routines similar.
2. Time with family and friends
Some children may find the summer holidays a particularly challenging time to be away from their family and friends. Plan and agree family time (contact) and visits with friends in advance and how this will be managed if you or they are going away on holiday. Some children may enjoy creating a scrapbook or journal of their activities to share with their families or friends.
For more advice on supporting children with family time, take a look at our webpages here.
3. Safety over the holidays
The school holidays can be a peak time for using online social media and gaming for young people - see the guidance from Skips Safety Net here to help them stay safe online.
Increased time outdoors in warm weather may lead to a higher risk of sunburn. Make sure children are protected by encouraging regular use of high factor suncreams, suitable clothing such as sun hats etc., and where possible avoiding exposure to high temperatures during the hottest time of the day (typically midafternoon in the UK). Increase drinks available such as water and diluted juices to prevent dehydration.
The summer is a popular time to visit beautiful beaches and open water and whilst enjoyable, there is an increase in accidental drownings during the summer holidays and teenagers may be at particular risk. See the link from the Royal Life Saving Society here for safety tips to keep everyone safe whilst enjoying the outdoors.
4. Low-cost activities
From going on a picnic to taking a trip to the local library, there are lots of fun activities which are low-cost but will create lasting memories!
Check with your fostering service if there is any additional funding for holidays or days out and if they have arranged any activities (this will vary amongst fostering services). For lots of free or low-cost school holiday activity suggestions, check with your local council, community information boards and see the resources below:
- CBeebies: 25 Fun and Free Family Activities for Summer - BBC Tiny Happy People
- BBC Good Food - from baking, cooking, crafting and activities: Cheap School Holiday Projects For kids | Good Food
5. Preparing for September
It’s never too early to start planning for the back-to-school time in September. Make a note on your calendar for a date to go back to school shopping and make sure you have clear information from the school regarding uniform requirements in advance of the summer break where possible or check out the information on their website.
Make sure you understand if any additional financial support is available from your fostering service to help with the cost of new uniform (policies may differ on this) and keep any required receipts or proof of purchase if required. Making sure your foster child has the correct stationery and equipment will also help create a positive start to the new term.
If your child is attending a new school or has been in your care a short while and will be travelling to school independently, it may be helpful to practice the route with them to build familiarity and confidence.
Transitioning to a new school can be an anxious time for some children. Make sure they have an opportunity to visit in advance (often arranged by the schools during the summer term). Encourage the child to talk about any worries and discuss strategies together for overcoming any concerns. Maintaining positive relationships with peers during this time can also be important, so encourage this whenever possible.
6. Space for self-care
The summer holidays can be a busy time, and it’s important to find time for you! This might be enjoying time with friends whilst the child in your care is on an activity, reading a book, or enjoying an uninterrupted bath! Make time for you part of the planning.
The Fosterline team wishes all foster carers and young people a happy summer holiday!
