Foster Carer

Foster carers provide a home for children who cannot live with their birth family, this is usually because of trauma, abuse and/or neglect and is a decision made by the Family Courts. Foster Carers are responsible for the day-to-day care of the child including taking them to school, health appointments and to see their families. Foster Carers are part of the team around the child and must attend meetings and provide updates to the social work team about the needs and progress of children, they may also work with specialists like psychologists or therapists. There are also Part Time Foster Carers whose role is to offer ‘respite’ (short breaks) to other Foster Carers or to families who need help and support. Foster Carers are assessed and supported by Supervising Social Workers who offer advice, guidance, access to training and supervision. Foster Carers carry out their role in their own homes, so it is important that everyone in the household is part of an assessment, and that there is space in the home for the child to live, and feel part of family life. Anyone can be assessed to be a Foster Carer, no matter their relationship status, sexual orientation, background, religion, ethnicity, if they own or rent their home or if they have pets. There is no upper age limit to fostering but Foster Carers must be over 25 (or 21 if they have relevant experience).

Foster Carer is also known as Foster Carer, Fosterer.

Role Characteristics

Providing day to day care for a child or children in a safe and loving home
Responding to specific needs of children and supporting their social and emotional development
Maintaining records relevant to the needs of a child
Working with others: the team around the child to promote the child(ren)’s needs – education, health, social care professionals; working with birth families to promote family contact
Attending training and peer support groups
Providing advocacy for children

Skills

Active listening
Communication
Empathy
Problem-solving
Resilience
Taking initiative

Day in the life

Here's a short video about what it's like to Foster

Routes into this role

Here are some example routes that can lead into this role.

No qualifications required

Volunteering or work experience

How to become

You do not need to have formal qualifications to become a Foster Carer. Foster Carers are required to have the right to live and work in the UK, to have space in their home to care for a child and the capacity to commit to them. Foster carers must be proficient in spoken and written English and be healthy enough to care for a child or children.

Prospective Foster Carers undergo an assessment with the Fostering Agency which includes checks, references and a Social Work assessment. Foster Carers are provided with training and development opportunities by their Fostering Agency.

Where can this role lead

No matter what role you start in or where you are in your career path, there are always opportunities to develop and progress in health and care. Foster carers can progress through competency levels as they gain skills and experience. There are also specific foster carer roles such as: Parent and Child Assessment Foster Carers; Foster carers who specialise in looking after babies withdrawing from substances, Foster Carers for children with complex health needs and disabilities, Foster Carers who work with children with specific therapeutic needs. There are also opportunities to put your skills to use by supporting and mentoring other foster carers including through offering advice and practical support and through delivering training.

Location

At Home

Working hours

Weekends
Weekdays
Nights
Irregular Hours
Part Time
Full Time
Flexible Hours

Opportunities

Job Opportunities

Foster 4 Leeds Website

Fostering with us is a rewarding and challenging experience, giving you a sense of purpose as you help change lives.

Organisation: Foster 4 Leeds

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