Animal Magic at Shuttleworth College

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Since being taken over by award-winning Bedford College, Shuttleworth College in Central Bedfordshire is enjoying the national limelight. While Bedford College is already famed for its educational expertise, Shuttleworth has been quietly getting on with job. Now the two are working together to improve opportunities and experiences for students. So now courses from agriculture and art to zoology are available under the Bedford College banner.

New to Bedford College is the area of animal care:

Carl Groombridge (manager/lecturer) of the Animal Care Centre at Shuttleworth College has an infectious enthusiasm about animal welfare, habitats and breeding programmes.

The Animal Care Centre is home to just about every family of species in the world and habitats include a tropical rainforest setting where the sounds of the forest give an added dimension to the environment.

Students come here to learn about animal husbandry, how to create and build habitats from scratch to meet wildlife standards and develop breeding programmes. The aim is to give students a taste of all aspects of animal welfare and management in preparation for careers from practical hands-on jobs to highly academic research and scientific opportunities.

Carl explained:

“We offer students the chance to develop their practical skills whilst working in a stimulating environment. We have a wide range of exotic species from amphibians, invertebrates, small mammals and reptiles, to birds and larger animals.

“The Animal Care Centre is rich with species and this is something that Ofsted recently commented on.

“Our links with the zoological industry gives our students an added advantage and they are encouraged to design and build habitats for animals that include the unusual and exotic so that their knowledge and skills are stretched.

“Practical learners benefit a great deal from hands on experience of caring for animals and we are pleased to welcome all students on visits from Years 10 and 11.

“From the moment students arrive to study at the Animal Care Centre they are on a learning curve that can open up opportunities to them in the animal world, some of which they would never have thought possible.”

Students working with lizards recently saw the full circle of the breeding programme, from incubation of eggs to the thrill of seeing them hatch. They work with animals including Chilean bird-eating spiders, giant alibino snails, chameleons, geckos, meerkats, snakes, rodents, llamas, emus, alpacas and many more including the more usual farm animals such as pigs.

The Centre will soon welcome a new visitor - Goliath the world's biggest bug.

Editors' notes

1. Shuttleworth College in Central Bedfordshire became part of Beacon Status and outstanding Ofsted winner Bedford College on 7 August 2009.

2. Issued by Manners PR for Bedford College.

3. For more info contact Sue Gough at Manners PR on 07921 514 940.

4. Photographs available.

5. For more about Bedford College see http://www.bedford.ac.uk/

Bedford College superwoman is very “special”

With the skills and talents of Super Woman and Mary Poppins, Steph Walsh takes on a variety of responsibilities focused on helping young people who need guidance and care.

As Lecturer in Childcare at Bedford College for the last 10 years and Special Constable with Bedfordshire Police for 17 years, Steph is to combine these skills in her new role in partnership with with Bedford College’s Assistant Director Raj Mandal to deliver a Level 2 programme in Public Services to the Police.

Wayne Humberstone (Special Constabulary Co-ordinator, Bedfordshire Police) says:

“We are keen to work with as many partners as possible across the county to encourage more individuals to become Volunteer Police Officers. The role is challenging and Volunteer Police Officers have the added advantage of gaining valuable transferable skills”.

Meanwhile back at home Steph has other duties:

As full time Foster Carer for nearly 10 years, Steph offers guidance and care to troubled and challenging teenagers. Up to 20 children aged 10+ have received Steph's care and support, from one night to eighteen months.
Working under the umbrella of the Youth Care Scheme in Central Bedfordshire, Steph was the first carer in the pilot scheme set up in 2005 and is now joined by 14 other full time foster carers. This offers young people aged 10+ years dedicated support in the home of foster carers on a one to one basis and 24 hours a day. Challenges for foster carers dealing with troubled young people include those who refuse to go to school or are excluded by school and those who abscond regularly and may be involved in criminal or anti-social activity.

Steph explained that her drive comes from the knowledge that many young people do not have the best start in life and deserve a chance and says:

“There are many rewards as a foster carer - and when you see an improvement in behaviour, confidence and independence it means so much. You need to have time and patience and be open to all situations - what fits with one individual may not fit with another.

“You get such a lot back but may not always see it straight away. It's important to have a relaxed attitude and not take things personally as a foster carer. Just when you think the young person hasn't listened to a word you've been saying - you realise they have.

“Often it means simply acting as a mum or dad and asking the young person why they are behaving in a certain way.

“At Central Bedfordshire we are a close knit team that support each other and work closely with police and social workers to get the best for the young people we care for.”

Young people who need support are carefully matched to families with similar aged children or where they will fit in. Steph can see how this works as her own son has shared his mum and home with other young people from the age of 5 years.

After leaving foster care, the young person may start semi-independent living or return home.

Steph's experience in foster care is also used to advise groups including:

Northamptonshire County Council's Fostering Panel, where she reviews applications for fostering.

Newly set up Contact Point, a web-based national system for professionals who may have a concern about child protection. The system shows the lead contact with responsibility for a particular child. It strengthens communication channels and child protection and is in response to the Laming Report. As part of the Shielding Review Panel, Steph is responsible for making sure information is kept confidential when needed.

Set up last year, the Children's Workforce Development Council sets standards for those working with children and foster carers provide evidence to show how they work to support young people. Steph sits on a development panel to verify portfolios from foster carers in Bedfordshire.

With all that work - what better way to relax than with a cup of tea and slice of cake.

Anyone else might just pop into a café - but not Steph. She has always dreamed of having a traditional tea shop where people can meet socially. Not one to sit back and dream, Steph is about to make the dream a reality.

The Tea Rooms in Wollaston, due to open in the autumn, will not only serve tea and cakes but can be hired out for events from christenings, anniversaries and birthdays for those aged 1-101.
Steph's energy and enthusiasm as a foster carer have brought her to the attention of national media, where she has appeared on the Paul O'Grady Show, BBC Breakfast Time and BBC Radio 4 all in support of foster care and the young people she champions.

-ends-

Editors' notes

1. Issued by Manners PR for Bedford College.
2. For more info contact Sue Gough at Manners PR on 07921 514 940.
3. For more about Bedford College see http://www.bedford.ac.uk/