Foster Carer

**Foster Carers (Thurrock)**

Do you have a spare bedroom in your home for a child? Are you perhaps looking for a change of career or get a better work/life balance? Then have you thought about becoming a fostering family for a child in need?

**Role**:
We are looking for caring, patient and resilient people, to care for children and young people that are not able to live with their own families for a period of time. The child will live in your home as part of your family whilst you work as part of a team to support them through a difficult time of their life.

**Essential**:

- a spare bedroom which can comfortably fit (as a minimum) a single bed, wardrobe, and chest of drawers
- realistically have the time to look after a child/young person
- a genuine interest in caring for young people, as well as respecting and valuing them as individuals
- an ability to show love and care to children who may struggle to accept it
- be able to take children to and from their school, attend any required meetings and regular training sessions
- good standard of spoken English language
- basic IT skills (or willingness to learn)
- be aged at least 21 years old
- applicants must have British Citizenship, Indefinite Leave To Remain, or EU Settled Status. STUDENT or WORK VISAS ARE NOT SUITABLE FOR THIS ROLE

**Desirable**:

- access to pc/laptop/tablet
- good standard of written English language
- to be at home full time (but if you work part-time or work from home, we can discuss)
- able to drive, or would be willing to learn (but if you are living in a large city with lots of good transport links, we can discuss)

**Experience**:
Full training is provided but any previous experience of being a parent, childminder, foster carer, or working with children or vulnerable adults can be beneficial. If you have limited experience don’t rule yourself out, come and talk to us.

There is a 4-6 month assessment process with checks and references required including DBS (police). There is also free initial training during this process.

**Remuneration**:

- You do not get a salary as a foster carer but a weekly allowance is paid when you have a child or young person living with you. This is to cover the costs of caring for a child e.g. food, clothing, pocket money etc.
- Starting allowance range - £420 to £630 per child per week
- Additional grants and allowances e.g. festival allowance and child summer holiday grant
- Higher allowances are for children with additional needs such as parent and child placements, children with medical needs, or young offenders. Allowances will also increase with your level of experience.

**Other Benefits**:

- Initial and regular, ongoing training to support your role as a foster carer
- Your own social worker to support you with fostering
- 24/7 telephone support
- support groups/social meetings for foster carers locally to get to know each other
- activities and days out for children and/or the whole fostering household
- Fostertalk membership, which includes useful advice and information on tax and insurance, as well as discounts for fostering households etc.

PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOU CHECK THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS ROLE AND ANSWER THE SCREENING QUESTIONS IN FULL. DUE TO THE VOLUME OF APPLICATIONS, INCOMPLETE FORMS MAY NOT BE CONSIDERED

**Already Fostering?**

If you are currently fostering and not satisfied with the support you are getting, you can consider transferring to UK Fostering. We would be happy to discuss your situation and the transfer process with you.

UK Fostering has been rated as Outstanding (in all areas) by Ofsted in our recent inspections.

Pay: £420.00-£630.00 per week

**Benefits**:

- Company events
- Employee discount
- Referral programme
- Store discount
- Work from home

Application question(s):

- This role requires that applicants have British Citizenship, Indefinite Leave To Remain, or EU Settled Status. Do you meet this requirement? STUDENT or WORK VISAS are NOT SUITABLE for this role.
- Please confirm that you have a spare bedroom for a foster child in your home.

**Language**:

- English (required)

Licence/Certification:

- Driving Licence (preferred)

Work Location: In person

Reference ID: Foster Carer