What's Fostering Really Like?
Fostering happens when a child goes to live with a foster carer because they cannot live with their own family at a particular point in time. Whatever the reasons for this, it’s a difficult time for them, and so they need a stable home and plenty of support, care and understanding.
Being a foster carer will challenge you, but the rewards are huge too. Because we have over 20 years of experience, we know how to support you to succeed – 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
We know that our foster carers really do change the lives of children every single day. Why not find what they have to say about fostering.
CHOOSING TO FOSTER CHILDREN
Different Types of Foster Care
There are different types of fostering to match the different needs of children. So you can choose which type of fostering suits your household, your skills and your lifestyle.
Answers to Your Questions
We've put together answers to the main questions that we are asked about fostering children - including information about your health, age, how to set up your home and how you get paid.
How We Support You
As a foster carer you are not just left on your own! You will be assigned your own dedicated Social Worker and be in a local network of other carers to provide help, support and advice.
5 Steps to Fostering
From applying to become a foster carer to being approved there are 5 key steps you will take. First you'll meet with a social worker to talk about fostering - its your chance to ask lots of questions.
The actual amount paid to a foster carer is dependent on the age of the child/children and also the children’s assessed needs and requirements. You’ll find that the amount we pay to foster carers is made up of two parts. It includes the government fostering allowance and an amount that we call our professional carer fee. We pay our foster carers every two weeks when they have a foster child living with them in their home. As a foster carer you are also entitled to take paid respite breaks.
Examples of Carer Pay
One
Child
£487 per week
We pay up to this amount per week when a single child is matched to your household.
- This includes allowances for religious festivals (e.g. Christmas, Eid, Diwali etc), birthdays and family holidays for the child.
- Up to £20,400 of your fee per annum is TAX FREE.
ONE ChILD (SOLO)
£927 per week
If only one child can be matched to your household, due to the child’s additional needs, we will pay up to this amount per week.
- This includes allowances for religious festivals (e.g. Christmas, Eid, Diwali etc), birthdays and family holidays for the child.
- Up to £20,400 of your fee per annum is TAX FREE.
Two Children
£974 per week
We pay up to this amount per week when TWO children are matched to your household.
- This includes allowances for religious festivals (e.g. Christmas, Eid, Diwali etc), birthdays and family holidays for the children.
- Up to £20,400 of your fee per annum is TAX FREE.
Parent & Child
£731 per week
We will pay up to this amount, if after additional training you care for a parent & their child in your home. (1 parent & 1 child under age 5)
- This includes allowances for religious festivals (e.g. Christmas, Eid, Diwali etc), birthdays and family holidays for the child.
- Up to £20,400 of your fee per annum is TAX FREE.
Speak to our team
If you’d like to have a chat about fostering and see if it’s right for you, please get in touch. Send us your details and someone from our team will get back to you as soon as we can.
