If you choose to make fostering a part of your life, it is a fulfilling and rewarding role. Being a foster carer is a vital and valued profession, but it's so much more than a job. As a Foster with us foster carer you'll have the opportunity to positively change the lives of children and young people in our region as well as impacting the community itself.
The joy of shaping lives
Whether you can commit to long-term, short-term, emergency or respite fostering, you will discover opportunities to:
- shape the life of a child or young person for the better
- support families in the region
- build long-term bonds with children
- model healthy relationships and help children learn how to build trust
Sharing your heart and home can shape a child's life and their future for the better. You can give a child a place to call home, feel safe and help them learn how to build trusting relationships.
Benefits of becoming a foster carer
A career that challenges and rewards
Being a foster carer is not a 9 to 5 job. It can be challenging, but it is also hugely fulfilling. There are few careers that compare to the rewards of fostering, sharing the small moments that show the difference you have made to the lives of children and young people.
A role that fits around your life
Our foster care advisors work with you to advise you on the best type of fostering to work around your life. So although it’s not 9 to 5, it could mean it’s the most flexible role you’ve ever had.
Payments and allowances
We want foster carers to feel supported for the important job they do. Receiving fostering payments and allowances doesn't impact most benefits and there are financial incentives, such as a dedicated tax-free allowance and Qualifying Care Relief.
Training and development
Once you have become an approved foster carer, you will be able to access the continuous professional development programme delivered by your local authority.
Fostering training is designed to help you build specialist knowledge and expand your skills. It will help you to understand the experiences, behaviours and needs of the children and young people in your care so you feel prepared for the challenges ahead.
Part of a professional team
Social workers, support workers, counsellors, and education specialists will form part of a team, with you at the centre to champion the best plans and outcomes for your child. The team will work together to give you and the child in your care the support you need.
Meet new people
As a Foster with us foster carer, you'll join a community of dedicated and welcoming regional fostering families. Our fostering families come from diverse backgrounds but share a common motivation - to make a difference to the lives of young people in our region.
Members of the Foster with us fostering community regularly come together to support one another on their fostering journeys, take part in social activities and build friendships.
Mentoring scheme
From the minute you make the decision to start the application process, you will be matched with an existing foster carer from the mentor scheme. They will assist you every step of the way. This relationship can last way beyond the approvals process, and offer another form of support for you. In time you may decide to offer some of your experience and knowledge by becoming a mentor for new prospective foster carers.
New experiences
As a foster carer, you will give the children and young people in your care new life experiences, introduce them to new interests, activities and support their learning and goals. In turn, they may do the same thing for you, sharing some of their hobbies and dreams with you, and providing new experiences and opportunities in return.
Mockingbird
Foster carers also have the opportunity to apply to join Mockingbird. The scheme provides foster carers and children in their care with peer support, opportunities to build confidence, socialise and make memories through the building of an extended fostering family network.
Once you have been approved you will receive support and regular supervision from your allocated social worker within your local authority. This will allow for reflective discussion between you and your social worker, focused on children's experiences, needs, plans and feedback.
Get in touch
Our team of fostering experts are always on hand to help. Speak to our fostering hub co-ordinators to find out more about the benefits of fostering, and how you can help shape the lives of young people.