Date: 21st May 2024
Time: 12:00 - 13:00pm

About the Event:

This Foster Care Fortnight, together with our partners at Norfolk County Council, we are hosting a free webinar event to share insights into how virtual reality can be used to improve foster care journeys for some of society's most vulnerable children, young people and their families.

The theme of Foster Care Fortnight for 2024 is #FosteringMoments, celebrating moments that define fostering journeys, big and small. The moments that build confidence, make young people feel safe and create memories. During our event we will be sharing examples of how VR has created memorable #FosteringMoments for professionals, foster carers and children across Norfolk County Council.

Join us as we step into the shoes of a child, gaining unparalleled insights into the impact of trauma on young lives.

Background:

Every year, more than 55,000 children in England are placed into the care of a foster family, accounting for 70 per cent of children in the care system – a statistic that is not dissimilar in Norfolk.

There are currently 805 children in fostering placements in Norfolk, including agency placements, out of a total of 1,220 looked-after children in the county.

In response, Norfolk County Council have partnered with Cornerstone, a leading provider of trauma-informed virtual reality training solutions in health, education, and social care, to implement the programme across all foster carer journeys. The partnership was established with an aim to reduce the number of foster care placement breakdowns across the county.

What to Expect:

• Learn about the implementation of Cornerstone VR in foster care journeys in Norfolk.
• Explore how VR training can strengthen foster care journeys and reduce foster care placement breakdowns.
• Understand the importance of empathy and understanding in providing effective care.
• Hear firsthand accounts from the team at Cornerstone and Norfolk County Council on the partnership and its outcomes to date.
• Experience stepping into the shoes of a child as we provide exclusive 2D previews of some of Cornerstone’s virtual reality films.

Why Virtual Reality:

Cornerstone VR pioneers trauma-informed virtual reality experiences tailored for professionals and caregivers working with vulnerable children and families.

Our award-winning platform, already adopted by Fostering Teams covering almost 50% of local authorities, Independent Fostering Agencies, Regional Adoption Agencies, Virtual Schools, NHS Trusts, Schools, Universities, Ambulance Services and the Police, utilises VR to increase comprehension of a child's emotions and trauma.

Through a series of short 360° VR immersive films, where the user can live the experience of an abused, neglected or exploited child, our programme is designed to enhance empathy and understanding of early-life trauma and its continued influence throughout childhood, adolescence and into adulthood. This empowers our users to consider potential emotions, trauma, and possible triggers, thereby improving the care, support, and guidance they can provide to individuals of all age groups.

Our immersive experiences cover key topics across our sectors, including:

- Abuse, Neglect & Trauma

- Child Criminal Exploitation

- Child Sexual Exploitation

- Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Awareness

- The Digital World - Social Media and Digital Platforms

Studies show that Virtual Reality learners are four times faster in understanding, 3.75 times more emotionally connected to the content, four times more focused, and 275% more confident to act on what they've learned.

Our user feedback shows that 96% of users have deeper understanding of the child's perspective and would consider alternative ways to approach situations with children and young people following the use of the Cornerstone VR Programme.

Find out more here.

This webinar offers a unique opportunity to explore the transformative power of VR technology in understanding childhood trauma. Whether you're directly involved in foster care or simply passionate about making a difference in children's lives, this event is not to be missed.

Have a question? Contact us on: [email protected]

Speakers:

Shalene Lemmie- VR Service Manager at Cornerstone

Clea Newman - Team Manager, Fostering Team and Fostering Recruitment Team at Norfolk County Council

Lucy Beck - Senior Social Worker, Fostering Recruitment Team at Norfolk County Council