Cumbria

As a ‘not-for-profit’ organisation, Cumbria Fostering have a commitment to the children and young people in our community in care, to provide them with the best start we can and we couldn’t do this without people like you, offering to share your homes and families.

We really value everything our foster carers do and have put together a competitive package to ensure you are provided with everything you need, allowing you to focus on the children’s and young people’s needs.

What we offer you as a foster carer

Payments and fees 

• Competitive foster care fee - based on a number of factors, such as, the amount of time you dedicate to fostering, the number of children you have and your experience
• Child maintenance allowance - covering the costs of everything that you need to care for a child such as food, clothing, transport, personal items and household expenses
• Retainer - covers the time you don’t have a placement for up to 8 weeks within one financial year
• Tax relief - as a foster carer you'll be entitled to tax relief on your income from fostering, meaning you'll pay very little (or no) tax and national insurance
• Set up fees - we cover the costs for a child being set up in your home, for example cots and prams, school uniforms or beds etc
• Petrol expenses - your mileage can be covered for certain trips you have to take
• Discounts for local services through Blue Light card 

Support

• 24/7 support
• Access to regular support groups and social events
• Buddying/mentoring from our experienced carers
• Dedicated supervising Social Worker
• Offices based throughout the county - Kendal, Barrow, Carlisle and Workington
• Social Workers and children's teams based at the offices nearest to you, making it easier to form close links
• Out of hour's duty service for emergency issues outside of standard office hours
• Access to Emotional Wellbeing Practitioners and therapeutic support
• Membership to the Fostering Network - an independent agency which provides advice, support and advocacy to foster carers
• Opportunity to become part of one of our Mockingbird Constellations

Training and development 

There is a wide variety of high-quality training available to prospective and experienced carers, some is mandatory, whilst other courses can be tailored to your specific needs:

• Skills to Foster - a mandatory course that introduces fostering and all it entails
• Self-guided training - a range of courses online that you can complete at a time that suits you
• Online training - online group sessions, covering a range of different topics
• In-person training - covering a wide range of topics, available at different dates in various locations across the region

Read more about training and support

Why foster with your local council?

Help local children

Help to keep children in Cumbria - we try to keep children close to their friends, family and schools to maintain their familiar links. We strive to keep all Cumbrian children living within Cumbria.

Priority placements

You will get first priority for placements of children of all ages (within your approved age range).

Placement choice

We will find the best match for you and your family as we are responsible for all the children in care across Cumbria. Fostering with your local council means that you will not experience long periods of time without a placement, unless you choose to have a break.

We have lots of different types of fostering, so you can work with our teams to decide which type of placements will suit you and your family best.

Non-profit organisation

As a non-profit making organisation - all the money goes to providing the best service for the children.

Community

Feel part of a community - with foster carer associations run by our foster carers and regular social activities and events such as our Long Service Awards, the Children in Care Council Awards and Christmas parties.

Become part of Cumbria’s biggest family - you’ll be amazed at just how many Cumbria foster carers live near you.