Start a career as a foster carer.
We need foster carers to join our team and help us care for children and young people who are unable to live with their family. Could you open your heart and home to help a child or young person reach their full potential?
Fostering is a good option if you want work with children. It’s also possible to combine fostering and other work. We welcome people from all walks of life who can provide a home for a child and meet their needs, helping them develop and thrive.
Essential criteria for becoming a foster carer
To begin your fostering journey with South Gloucestershire you need to meet the following criteria:
- Be at least 21 years old
- Have a spare bedroom big enough for a young person to live in
- Be able to give the time to care for a child or young person
- Be a full-time resident in the UK or have leave to remain
Role of a foster carer
The role is varied and challenging, and includes attending meetings, keeping records, managing behaviour, and promoting family time with birth families, Responsibilities include:
- Establish and maintain a good routine for children
- Treat all children as individuals and as part of your family
- Work as part of a team with staff and professionals from many other agencies
- Actively encourage children to learn, and help them to feel positive about their background, culture and religion
- Promote the healthy growth and development of a child, particularly with regards to their health and education
- Deal responsibly with confidential information and keeping written records
- To speak up for the child (or children) in order to ensure that they receive good care and the opportunities to develop
- Build relationships with children and young people to assist them in keeping in touch with others who are important to them
- Attend training courses provided to support your development as a foster carer and develop your skills
- Provide a safe, caring and nurturing home
- Be able to understand the child or young persons past experiences and how this may impact on their behaviour
There are different types of fostering so you can choose what is right for you and your family.
The support you get as a foster carer
By joining our team, you will benefit from:
- Competitive financial support
- An extensive training and development programme offering you the opportunity to develop your skills in supporting children and young people
- A dedicated social worker to support you and your family throughout your fostering journey
- A 24-hour support line, seven days a week
- Therapeutic support from our psychologists and mental health coordinators
- A network of support from experienced foster carers including monthly support groups and mentoring scheme
- Support for birth children and foster children from our Foster Carers and Children’s Support Team
- Regular activities and events for the whole family
- A variety of discounts and benefits from venues across the UK
If you have the patience, commitment and understanding required to care for children and young people, we’d love to hear from you.
