Are you currently working part-time but also interested in fostering? Perhaps you have previously enquired about fostering but as you were not at home full time you were not able to progress further. We appreciate that also for some of you it has been a very unsettling and difficult time during recent lockdowns, and you may have been considering a career change – this could be fostering!
Both are possible, as you may already have transferrable skills from your work with children or vulnerable adults, or your own parenting experience. Fostering alongside other work can be a challenge. You do need to factor in that you will need to take your foster child to and from their school as well as other meetings and appointments for the foster child, however fostering can work for the right working household.
UK Fostering have a specific scheme in our North West region called StepAcross Fostering. This is supporting children and young people that are currently living in a residential unit (children’s home) but who would benefit from returning to live with a family. This can be for a short period but can also be in the longer term until they are independent. Currently there are not enough foster carers for these children with many missing out on a family environment purely because there are no other options. This is a national travesty.
We are particularly interested in seeking experienced childminders, parents, childcare workers, teachers etc that would be able to care for older children that would be placed with you in a very planned way. The children can then be carefully matched (in terms of their presentation and needs) with your own children and any children that you childmind (if this applies).
You do need a spare bedroom and the time and flexibility to be able to meet the needs of a foster child. We would be happy to chat through further with you.
We would also be interested to hear from you if you our outside the North West, as there is a need for foster carers to care for older teenagers and other planned moves for children aged over 10 years. Please get in touch for more information 😊
By Lynsey Dobbs, Senior Recruitment Officer
