We are looking for people with compassion, resilience and a strong drive to make a difference. Our foster carers all bring their own unique skills and experience to this role.
We don’t expect you to have any specific qualifications, as we’ll provide you with all the training and support you need throughout your fostering journey.
Training
All foster carers going through the assessment process will attend local preparation training. This training covers a range of topics, including: child development, safeguarding, attachment theory, and managing challenging behaviours. It aims to equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to care for foster children effectively. The training also offers a valuable opportunity to connect with other foster carer applicants, building a strong local support network from the very beginning of your fostering journey.
Support
As a local authority foster carer you are never alone. You will have a dedicated supervising social worker and be part of the professional team around the child. You will work closely with children’s social workers, other professionals, and birth families to gain the best possible outcomes for the children you care for.
You’ll also join our network of over 2,800 amazing fostering families across the South East of England and have the opportunity to attend local support groups and events to meet like minded people and share valuable knowledge and experience.
On top of this, the South East are now proud member’s of the Fostering Network’s Mockingbird programme which is another amazing local support network for fostering families. Find out more on the Mockingbird section of the website.
Continued professional development
We are committed to ensuring you have the skills and knowledge you need right the way through your fostering journey. Local authorities hold regular in-person and online training sessions throughout the year on a variety of different subjects, to meet your needs and the needs of the children you care for. Some of these courses are mandatory, like first aid and safeguarding, whilst others will be optional opportunities to increase your awareness in certain areas, like online safety.
These courses are another great way of meeting other local foster carers and extending your support network.
Our foster carers are amazing – want to speak to one of them?
Our foster carers provide invaluable support to one another. If you’d like to find out more about the team you’d be joining as a local authority foster carer contact us now and we’ll put you in touch with one of our experienced carers who can tell you all about it.