1. Working with the media Promoting foster care and creating change

2. Who we are Jackie Sanders, media and communications manager Naomi Westland, senior media officer Matt Cooper, senior media officer Ellie Jones, media and communications assistant t: 020 7620 6425 e: media @ fostering.net www.fostering.net/media

3. What we achieve Raise the profile of fostering Highlight the need for more foster carers Change perceptions of fostering, foster carers and children in care Put pressure on decision makers, centrally and locally Support our members Build our reputation

4. The Fostering Network in the media 500 calls from journalists a year More than 40 news stories sent out to the media More than 1,000 pieces of media coverage, mainly national More than 100 TV and radio interviews with staff More than 60 media interviews with foster carers and young people Foster Care Fortnight 2009 coverage reached more than 30 million

5. Fostering in the media - positives Generally supportive and positive towards fostering Respect foster carers and difference they make Growing interest in fostering and the care system Issues and campaigns attracting lots of interest

6. Fostering in the media - challenges Media like a negative story Stereotypes of foster carers and children in care Interviewing children and young people in care Misleading and inaccurate coverage Competition for space

7. Educating and informing the media Role of fostering and foster carers is changing… And thanks to our work so is media perception… However, mainstream media still has ‘old view’

8. How we educate the media Together for Change Foster Care Fortnight Experiences of foster carers and young people Day-to-day press office

9. How we do it – Together for Change Launch Support survey Pay report – Love Fostering, Need Pay Future of Foster Care debate Cost of Foster Care report Media briefings

10. How we do it – Foster Care Fortnight Evolve the strapline and message Hard-hitting and topical news story Features, case studies, articles, radio phone-ins, events, celebrities, media partnerships etc. Adapt our message for different media

11. How we do it - case studies Essential for quality coverage Bring theme and message to life Illustrate stories creatively Provide an expert voice Database of foster carers and young people

12. How we do it – day-to-day National and trade news stories Comment and response on breaking stories and issues Opinion articles, letters to editors and feature stories Briefings and interviews Working with documentary makers, dramas and soaps

13. Working together… Sharing our plans - Foster Care Fortnight theme and guides Offering advice and support - Foster Care Fortnight workshops Ticker stories and news releases on our website Foster carers and young people sharing their stories What else can we do for you?

14. Thank you Naomi Westland Senior Media Officer The Fostering Network T: 020 7620 6425 media @ fostering.net