Interested in Becoming a Foster Carer?
Foster Care Solutions provides, through a flexible, caring and imaginative foster care service, an opportunity for all our children and young people to become valued members of tomorrow’s society.
Looked after children represent the most disadvantaged and vulnerable members of our community. At Foster Care Solutions it is our objective to provide support and conditions in which these most vulnerable young people can thrive and achieve a positive outcome from their time spent in foster care. There is much work to be done to redress the disadvantages these children have experienced and little time to do this before they become independent young adults.
Fostering can be a challenging task but it is also one of the most rewarding. Here at Foster Care Solutions we are committed to working with you to help children get a better chance in life.
We are looking for a variety of carers across the North East who can provide foster placements for teenagers, unaccompanied minors, children and young people with disabilities, parents and child, as well as large sibling groups
What Do You Need to Foster?
- A spare bedroom.
- Experience of interacting with children and young people.
- If in a relationship, you will need to show that it is stable and settled.
- A caring personality, the time and energy to devote to a child.
- Be over 21 years of age. There is no upper age limit as long as you are physically and mentally fit.
- No serious criminal convictions. If you have been convicted of any violent or serious crimes against children or young people, you will not be able to proceed any further. However, some convictions may not discount you and should be disclosed at the beginning of the assessment process.
- A good level of verbal and written English.
- A commitment to the assessment process which builds a picture of your history and life experience.
Our Support for Foster Carers
Foster Care Solutions are committed to providing our foster carers with a support service that is accessible and effective. Foster Carers within the organisation can expect:
- Named Supervising Social Workers – Once approved you will receive ongoing support from a named qualified and experienced Social Worker.
- Induction Training Programme - Following your approval you will be invited to attend a 'Foundation Course' which will give you further advice and training to prepare you for your placement.
- TSD Standards – Support to achieve a national qualification designed specifically for new foster carers over your first year of fostering.
- Supervision Meetings – Supervision meetings usually take place at your home on a monthly basis, although this can be increased if needed.
- Support Groups – These meetings provide opportunities to meet with other foster carers and share their experiences as well as hearing from Social Workers of any developments in the organisation and the wider world of fostering.
- Education Consultants – Access to consultants who are available to support children and young people’s education.
- Therapeutic Service – Access to our Therapeutic Service providing specific support to foster carers at times of stress.
- Training – Each foster carer has an Individual Development Plan; your Supervising Social Worker will complete this with you and identify your specific training and development needs.
- Support to Foster Carers
- Telephone Support – Access to telephone support is available to all foster carers during working hours. This could be available through the local office or directly through mobile phone access. There is always someone at the end of the phone to offer support.
- Out of Hours Service – A telephone advice line is available outside of working hours 365 days a year.
- Financial Support – Regular payments exceeding the Fostering Network Payment Guidelines are made to each fostering household with a placement.
- Respite – Foster carers will be entitled to respite in line with the child’s Care Plan.
- Individual membership to Fostering Network – This allows foster carers access to the services provided by this recognised body.
Be Part of Foster Care Solutions' Fostering Family
Foster Care Solutions is an established and progressive organisation committed to delivering a high quality service to children, young people, foster carers and local authorities.
We work in partnership with many local authorities through contracting and individual agreements to offer a wide range of fostering placements for children and young people to meet their individual needs.
As an existing foster carer it is important that you work with a company that is able to fully support both the children and foster carers. A lot of carers from Local Authorities and other Agencies come to us and feel that there could be more done for themselves and the looked after children.