becoming a foster carer https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/ en Who can foster? https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/advice-information/all-about-fostering/who-can-foster <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--title--page.html.twig x field--node--title.html.twig * field--node--page.html.twig * field--title.html.twig * field--string.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--title.html.twig' --> <span property="schema:name">Who can foster?</span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--title.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--uid--page.html.twig x field--node--uid.html.twig * field--node--page.html.twig * field--uid.html.twig * field--entity-reference.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--uid.html.twig' --> <span rel="schema:author"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'username' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/user/templates/username.html.twig' --> <span lang="" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="">Daniel.Sinclairtfn</span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/user/templates/username.html.twig' --> </span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--uid.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--created--page.html.twig x field--node--created.html.twig * field--node--page.html.twig * field--created.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--created.html.twig' --> <span property="schema:dateCreated" content="2019-04-01T10:47:43+00:00">Mon, 04/01/2019 - 10:47</span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--created.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-introduction--page.html.twig * field--node--field-introduction.html.twig * field--node--page.html.twig * field--field-introduction.html.twig * field--text-long.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-introduction field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field--item"><p>Children and young people need foster carers from all backgrounds with a wide range of life, work and care experiences. All foster carers are given ongoing&nbsp;training and support to help them develop the skills they need to help children thrive.</p> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--body--page.html.twig * field--node--body.html.twig * field--node--page.html.twig * field--body.html.twig * field--text-with-summary.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div property="schema:text" class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field--item"><p>Just as no two children are the same, foster carers need to come from a variety of backgrounds and have different life experiences, skills and qualities to help meet the needs of children and young people in foster care. What's important is that you can support, nurture and care for children who cannot live with their birth families.</p> <h3>Can anyone be a foster carer?</h3> <p>In general, you can apply to be a foster carer if you:</p> <ul> <li>are at least 18&nbsp;years old (although most fostering services will want you to be 21)</li> <li>have a spare bedroom big enough for a child or young person to live in</li> <li>are living&nbsp;in the UK, in your own home or with a secure rental agreement</li> <li>are willing and&nbsp;able to care for a child or young person, often on a full-time basis.</li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <div>If you don't meet all of these criteria, have an open conversation with the fostering service you would like to join. There are lots&nbsp;of factors that fostering services will think about to help them decide who can provide the best care for a child.</div> <div> <h3>&nbsp;</h3> <h3>What else should I think about?</h3> <p>Most fostering services will want to know more about you. You might be asked questions about:</p> <ul> <li>Your health – are you fit and well enough&nbsp;to foster a child now? Do you have any health problems that might make fostering more difficult in the future?</li> <li>Your financial security – can you afford to be a foster carer?</li> <li>Your home – is your house&nbsp;safe and suitable for a child or young person to live in?</li> <li>Your friends and family – who are the&nbsp;people who can support you while you foster?</li> <li>Your past –&nbsp;have you lived abroad, or do you have a criminal record?</li> <li> <div>Your experience with children and young people – have you looked after children before, through family, work, or volunteering?</div> </li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>You will also be asked about your reasons for wanting to become a foster carer. For example:</p> <ul> <li>Why do you want to work with children and young people?</li> <li>Can you&nbsp;support them, nurture them, communicate with them, advocate on their behalf and include them as part of your family? Will you work as part of a team and take part in training and learning to&nbsp;develop your skills?</li> </ul> <h3>&nbsp;</h3> <figure> <blockquote> <p>Fostering is the best thing we've ever done. We've loved and cared for some fabulous children who've gone on to flourish&nbsp;in their lives.</p> </blockquote> </figure> <p>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<strong>Paul and Michael, foster carers.</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Did you know?</h3> <p>People often think they can't foster because of fostering myths like,&nbsp;'I can't foster if I'm single', 'I can't foster if I'm gay', or 'I can't foster if I don't have my own children'. But these things are not important and will not stop you from fostering. <a href="/advice-information/could-you-foster/can-i-foster-if">Find out more about fostering myths.</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>How do I find out more?</h3> <ul> <li>Find out more about <a href="https://thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/advice-information/could-you-foster/choosing-foster">choosing to foster</a>.</li> <li><a href="https://thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/providers">Find a fostering service near you.</a></li> <li>Read more about <a href="https://thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/advice-information/being-foster-carer">being a foster carer</a>, including some first-hand accounts from <a href="https://thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/taxonomy/term/1917">Lucy Stevens' series of blogs</a>, and <a href="https://thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/taxonomy/term/328">best-selling author Cathy Glass's accounts of fostering</a>.</li> <li>Learn more about <a href="https://thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/advice-information/could-you-foster/journey-approval">how foster carers are approved</a>.</li> <li>Look through our <a href="https://thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/advice-information/could-you-foster/frequently-asked-questions">fostering FAQs</a> and common <a href="/advice-information/could-you-foster/can-i-foster-if">myths about fostering</a>.</li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Tags:</p> </div> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'links__node' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * links--node.html.twig x links.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/tfnetwork/templates/system/links.html.twig' --> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/tfnetwork/templates/system/links.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-content-topic--page.html.twig * field--node--field-content-topic.html.twig * field--node--page.html.twig * field--field-content-topic.html.twig * field--entity-reference.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-content-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field--items"> <div class="field--item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1079" hreflang="en">becoming a foster carer</a></div> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-members-only--page.html.twig * field--node--field-members-only.html.twig * field--node--page.html.twig * field--field-members-only.html.twig * field--boolean.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-members-only field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field--item">0</div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> Mon, 01 Apr 2019 10:47:43 +0000 Daniel.Sinclairtfn 11616 at https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk Who needs fostering https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/advice-information/all-about-fostering/who-needs-fostering <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--title--page.html.twig x field--node--title.html.twig * field--node--page.html.twig * field--title.html.twig * field--string.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--title.html.twig' --> <span property="schema:name">Who needs fostering</span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--title.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--uid--page.html.twig x field--node--uid.html.twig * field--node--page.html.twig * field--uid.html.twig * field--entity-reference.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--uid.html.twig' --> <span rel="schema:author"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'username' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/user/templates/username.html.twig' --> <span lang="" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="">Daniel.Sinclairtfn</span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/user/templates/username.html.twig' --> </span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--uid.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--created--page.html.twig x field--node--created.html.twig * field--node--page.html.twig * field--created.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--created.html.twig' --> <span property="schema:dateCreated" content="2019-04-01T10:39:36+00:00">Mon, 04/01/2019 - 10:39</span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--created.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-introduction--page.html.twig * field--node--field-introduction.html.twig * field--node--page.html.twig * field--field-introduction.html.twig * field--text-long.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-introduction field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field--item"><p>Children and young people of all ages and from all backgrounds come into care when they are unable to live with their birth parents for a period of time.&nbsp;</p> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--body--page.html.twig * field--node--body.html.twig * field--node--page.html.twig * field--body.html.twig * field--text-with-summary.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div property="schema:text" class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field--item"><p><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/uploads/young_child_and_carer.jpg" style="margin: 10px; float: right; width: 200px; height: 133px;" />Every 20 minutes another child comes into care needing a foster family in the UK.</p> <p>The reasons children come into care vary&nbsp;widely, including a parent’s short-term illness or another temporary problem within the family. Some children may have witnessed domestic violence or a parent’s depression or drug or alcohol abuse. Others may have been abused or neglected. Each child’s circumstances and needs are unique.</p> <p><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/uploads/sisters.jpg" style="margin: 10px; float: right; width: 200px; height: 133px;" />Around two-fifths of the children in care are aged 11 to 15 years. Finding foster carers for teenagers is a key priority for a number of fostering services in the UK.</p> <p>Other fostering services will need foster carers to&nbsp;look after children with specific learning difficulties and disabilities, young parents and their babies, as well as groups of brothers and sisters and unaccompanied asylum-seeking children.</p> <p><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/uploads/teenager_and_carer.jpg" style="margin: 10px; float: right; width: 200px; height: 133px;" />Children can be fostered from birth, right up until their 18th birthday. Legislation now exists in each of England, Scotland and Wales that supports young people to stay with their former foster carer up until the age of 21, and&nbsp;young people in education, employment or training can also stay with foster families in Northern Ireland.</p> <p><strong>Thousands of new foster families are needed every year.</strong></p> <p>There are many different types of fostering and each fostering service will need to recruit foster carers from a variety of backgrounds to meet the needs of local children in care.</p> <p><a class="button" href="http://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/couldyoufoster">Could you foster?</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Tags:</p> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'links__node' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * links--node.html.twig x links.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/tfnetwork/templates/system/links.html.twig' --> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/tfnetwork/templates/system/links.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-content-topic--page.html.twig * field--node--field-content-topic.html.twig * field--node--page.html.twig * field--field-content-topic.html.twig * field--entity-reference.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-content-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field--items"> <div class="field--item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1079" hreflang="en">becoming a foster carer</a></div> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-members-only--page.html.twig * field--node--field-members-only.html.twig * field--node--page.html.twig * field--field-members-only.html.twig * field--boolean.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-members-only field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field--item">0</div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> Mon, 01 Apr 2019 10:39:36 +0000 Daniel.Sinclairtfn 11615 at https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk Why consider fostering? https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/advice-information/all-about-fostering/why-consider-fostering <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--title--page.html.twig x field--node--title.html.twig * field--node--page.html.twig * field--title.html.twig * field--string.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--title.html.twig' --> <span property="schema:name">Why consider fostering?</span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--title.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--uid--page.html.twig x field--node--uid.html.twig * field--node--page.html.twig * field--uid.html.twig * field--entity-reference.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--uid.html.twig' --> <span rel="schema:author"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'username' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/user/templates/username.html.twig' --> <span lang="" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="">Daniel.Sinclairtfn</span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/user/templates/username.html.twig' --> </span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--uid.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--created--page.html.twig x field--node--created.html.twig * field--node--page.html.twig * field--created.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--created.html.twig' --> <span property="schema:dateCreated" content="2019-04-01T08:33:58+00:00">Mon, 04/01/2019 - 08:33</span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--created.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-introduction--page.html.twig * field--node--field-introduction.html.twig * field--node--page.html.twig * field--field-introduction.html.twig * field--text-long.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-introduction field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field--item"><p>Fostering is one of the most varied, challenging and rewarding jobs you can do. Fostering services are always looking for more foster carers who can make a real difference to children's lives.</p> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--body--page.html.twig * field--node--body.html.twig * field--node--page.html.twig * field--body.html.twig * field--text-with-summary.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div property="schema:text" class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field--item"><p><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/uploads/family.jpg" style="margin: 10px; float: right; width: 200px; height: 133px;" />Every year, tens of thousands of children and young people across the UK need foster carers while they can’t live with their birth&nbsp;families. This means that thousands of new foster families are needed every year. Foster carers can make a real difference to children's lives - and that's a hugely rewarding job.</p> <h3>What do foster carers do?</h3> <p>Foster carers give children and young people a loving, stable and nurturing home while they can't live with their birth families, whether that's overnight, or for many years. They are part of a team of professionals making sure that every child has what they need to thrive.</p> <h3>Why consider fostering?</h3> <p>There is nothing quite like fostering if you want to work with children.</p> <ul> <li>Foster carers work&nbsp;from home, so it’s possible to combine fostering with other responsibilities, like caring for your own children, or having another job. The age and needs of the children in your care will affect what else you can do, but there are lots of&nbsp;different types of fostering, so you can choose which one is right for you.</li> <li>All foster carers are paid a sum of money called an&nbsp;allowance to cover the cost of looking after the children in their care. The allowance you'll get depends on where you live and the age of the children you care for.&nbsp;Some foster carers will also be paid&nbsp;a fee for the work that they do. This might include additional payments for looking after a child with specific needs or to recognise the experiences and skills you bring to the role.</li> <li>For as long as you're a foster carer, you will be given training and support to develop your skills and knowledge about fostering. This is sometimes called 'continued professional development'. You will also have the chance to get involved with other aspects of fostering, such as helping to&nbsp;recruit&nbsp;new foster carers or running support groups.</li> <li>Foster carers have a unique chance to make a real difference to a child's life, supporting them and working to help them develop and achieve their potential.</li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <figure> <blockquote> <p>I became a foster carer because I believe that you should always give something back to your community. The biggest rewards come when the children I have looked after achieve what they should.</p> </blockquote> <figcaption> <p><cite>Marcia, foster carer for more than 10 years.</cite></p> </figcaption> </figure> <h3>&nbsp;</h3> <h3>Find out more</h3> <ul> <li><a href="https://thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/advice-information/could-you-foster/who-can-foster">Who can foster?</a> Across the UK, fostering services are looking for more foster carers from all backgrounds to give children and young people the best possible care. <a href="https://thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/advice-information/could-you-foster/who-can-foster">Find out more about who can be a foster carer.</a></li> <li><a href="https://thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/advice-information/could-you-foster/who-needs-fostering">Who needs fostering?</a> Children of all ages and from all backgrounds need foster carers. Right now, more foster carers are needed to look after teenagers, disabled children, children who are seeking asylum, and groups of brothers and sisters. Find out more about who needs fostering.</li> <li><a href="https://thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/advice-information/all-about-fostering/what-do-foster-carers-do">What do foster carers do?</a>&nbsp;If you are thinking about becoming a foster carer, read more about what foster carers do.</li> <li>How else can you help?<strong>&nbsp;</strong><a href="/fundraise/ways-donate">Make a donation</a> to The Fostering Network to support our work to make foster care the best it can be.</li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Tags:</p> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'links__node' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * links--node.html.twig x links.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/tfnetwork/templates/system/links.html.twig' --> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/tfnetwork/templates/system/links.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-content-topic--page.html.twig * field--node--field-content-topic.html.twig * field--node--page.html.twig * field--field-content-topic.html.twig * field--entity-reference.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-content-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field--items"> <div class="field--item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1079" hreflang="en">becoming a foster carer</a></div> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-members-only--page.html.twig * field--node--field-members-only.html.twig * field--node--page.html.twig * field--field-members-only.html.twig * field--boolean.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-members-only field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field--item">0</div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> Mon, 01 Apr 2019 08:33:58 +0000 Daniel.Sinclairtfn 11614 at https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk Financial support and learning and development for foster carers and staying put carers https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/policy-practice/practice-information/staying-put/staying-put-guidance/implementation-guidance-8 <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--title--page.html.twig x field--node--title.html.twig * field--node--page.html.twig * field--title.html.twig * field--string.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--title.html.twig' --> <span property="schema:name">Financial support and learning and development for foster carers and staying put carers</span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--title.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--uid--page.html.twig x field--node--uid.html.twig * field--node--page.html.twig * field--uid.html.twig * field--entity-reference.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--uid.html.twig' --> <span rel="schema:author"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'username' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/user/templates/username.html.twig' --> <span lang="" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="">Daniel.Sinclairtfn</span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/user/templates/username.html.twig' --> </span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--uid.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--created--page.html.twig x field--node--created.html.twig * field--node--page.html.twig * field--created.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--created.html.twig' --> <span property="schema:dateCreated" content="2017-09-01T15:06:35+00:00">Fri, 09/01/2017 - 15:06</span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--created.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-introduction--page.html.twig * field--node--field-introduction.html.twig * field--node--page.html.twig * field--field-introduction.html.twig * field--text-long.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-introduction field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field--item"><p>This chapter forms part of our Staying Put Guidance.</p> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--body--page.html.twig * field--node--body.html.twig * field--node--page.html.twig * field--body.html.twig * field--text-with-summary.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div property="schema:text" class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field--item"><p>The local authority will be required to evidence that each staying put arrangement meets ‘basic standards’. It is the local authority’s responsibility to provide (whether directly or through commissioned services) support to both the young person and to the former foster carers. This includes foster carers approved and supported by independent fostering providers. The levels of support to be provided should take account of the individual circumstances and needs.</p> <h3><strong>Financial support </strong></h3> <p>Section 23CZA(4) of the Children Act 1989 requires that local authority support to staying put carers must include financial support. The care leavers’ guidance clearly states that <em>‘local authorities should pay former foster carers an allowance that will cover all reasonable costs of supporting the care leaver to remain living with them’.</em>This includes payments to independent fostering provider foster carers. The good practice guide identifies that <em>‘A good starting point for estimating the additional cost of supporting a young person through staying put will be the fostering allowance paid by the fostering service prior to the young person’s 18<sup>th</sup> birthday, because the statutory guidance for fostering services requires this to be set to cover the full cost of caring for them.’</em></p> <p>Payments to former foster carers should be made through Section 23 of the Children Act 1989.</p> <p>Guidance on financial support can be found in the good practice guide&nbsp;and the DFE/DWP/HMRC joint guidance&nbsp;and should be clearly outlined in the local authority’s staying put policy. The amount to be paid for a staying put arrangement will be determined by local policy but the level of support will be governed by individual needs and circumstances.</p> <p>Financial advice and guidance should be considered as part of the care planning process as detailed in the section on planning a staying put arrangement. Young people and their carers will need to understand their entitlements and their responsibilities.</p> <p>Information in respect of payments should be available in fostering service finance policies. Expectations regarding financial contributions from young people should be available in local authority care leavers policies.</p> <p>There needs to be clear information available in respect of the potential loss of earnings that would arise from cessation of the payment of a fostering fee, and how this may impact on becoming a staying put carer.</p> <p>The good practice guide advises that staying put carers will need to know the following:</p> <ul> <li>the amount to be paid</li> <li>when payments will cease</li> <li>any arrangements for review of the level of payment</li> <li>what the payment is intended to cover, and whether it includes a fee element as well as an allowance</li> <li>whether additional discretionary payments can be made</li> <li>if the young person is expected to make contributions and whether this will affect the level of payment</li> <li>whether the carer’s allowance includes any payments which they are expected to make to the young person</li> <li>what happens if the young person is temporarily away, such as at university or on holiday</li> <li>what happens if the young person temporarily loses their entitlement to benefits through imposition of a sanction</li> <li> <div>how payments will affect benefit entitlement and tax liabilities, and where to get advice.<br /> &nbsp;</div> </li> </ul> <p><strong>Recommendations for local authorities and fostering services:</strong></p> <ul> <li><strong>We recommend </strong><strong>that payments for staying put arrangements are set at a level which, after taking account of any contributions by the young person, ensure no detriment of allowances or fees to the former foster carer.</strong></li> <li> <div><strong>We recommend that all staying put payments are reviewed and published each year.</strong><br /> &nbsp;</div> </li> </ul> <h3><strong>Learning and development</strong></h3> <p>Fostering services should be explicit in their expectations of foster carers from the outset and staying put should be clearly referenced throughout a foster carer’s career, particularly for long-term foster carers. Foster carers need to understand what staying put means for them and any child/young person they are/will be caring for.</p> <p><strong>Recommendation for fostering services:</strong></p> <ul> <li> <div><strong>We recommend that all fostering services should incorporate staying put into the</strong> <strong>foster carers’ charter and into their learning and development programmes.</strong><br /> &nbsp;</div> </li> </ul> <p>The change of role from foster carer to staying put carer is complex. Carers will require advice and guidance in understanding the changes this transition entails. Ongoing learning and development are crucial in a foster carer’s career and this should be a natural extension for those who become staying put carers. Planning to be a staying put carer is part of the foster carer’s journey – especially for foster carers providing long-term care – and we believe that training should be provided as good practice to help to prepare those carers who will care for young adults aged 18 to 21 and possibly beyond.</p> <p>We recommend that essential learning and development opportunities for staying put carers should build on training completed to date as part of the continuous development a foster carer receives. Training and development opportunities should include:</p> <ul> <li>preparation for staying put including record keeping, caring for a young adult</li> <li>delegated authority</li> <li>safer caring</li> <li>relationships including family contacts</li> <li>child sexual exploitation</li> <li>mental health and wellbeing</li> <li>drugs and alcohol – use and misuse</li> <li>therapeutic life story work</li> <li>preparation for independence including entitlements re welfare benefits, housing benefits and post-staying put contact</li> <li>life skills</li> <li> <div>caring for a young adult – including legal considerations.<br /> &nbsp;</div> </li> </ul> <p>Learning and development opportunities should be made available that will enable the carer to manage their changed role, living with an ‘adult’ member of the household and opportunities that will help them to assist the young person develop the knowledge, skills and capabilities that they will need to take their place in society as an adult.</p> <p>Support to staying put carers should include advice and guidance. This could be provided via their supervising social worker, therefore providing continuity to both the former foster carer and the young person;&nbsp;research findings show that continuity of care and of maintaining relationships greatly improves outcomes for care experienced young people.</p> <p>Support services should include where possible peer support/support groups. &nbsp;</p> <p>If the carer retains their approval as a foster carer in addition to providing a staying put arrangement then they will be subject to the requirements of the Fostering Services (England) Regulations 2011 (as amended), even if they have no vacancies due to the staying put arrangement.</p> <p>Tags:</p> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'links__node' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * links--node.html.twig x links.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/tfnetwork/templates/system/links.html.twig' --> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/tfnetwork/templates/system/links.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-content-topic--page.html.twig * field--node--field-content-topic.html.twig * field--node--page.html.twig * field--field-content-topic.html.twig * field--entity-reference.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-content-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field--items"> <div class="field--item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1079" hreflang="en">becoming a foster carer</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1193" hreflang="en">finance</a></div> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-members-only--page.html.twig * field--node--field-members-only.html.twig * field--node--page.html.twig * field--field-members-only.html.twig * field--boolean.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-members-only field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field--item">0</div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> Fri, 01 Sep 2017 15:06:35 +0000 Daniel.Sinclairtfn 10929 at https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk Can I foster if? https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/advice-information/could-you-foster/can-i-foster-if <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--title--page.html.twig x field--node--title.html.twig * field--node--page.html.twig * field--title.html.twig * field--string.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--title.html.twig' --> <span property="schema:name">Can I foster if?</span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--title.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--uid--page.html.twig x field--node--uid.html.twig * field--node--page.html.twig * field--uid.html.twig * field--entity-reference.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--uid.html.twig' --> <span rel="schema:author"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'username' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/user/templates/username.html.twig' --> <span lang="" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="">Daniel.Sinclairtfn</span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/user/templates/username.html.twig' --> </span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--uid.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--created--page.html.twig x field--node--created.html.twig * field--node--page.html.twig * field--created.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--created.html.twig' --> <span property="schema:dateCreated" content="2017-04-28T08:02:53+00:00">Fri, 04/28/2017 - 08:02</span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--created.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-introduction--page.html.twig * field--node--field-introduction.html.twig * field--node--page.html.twig * field--field-introduction.html.twig * field--text-long.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-introduction field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field--item"><p>There are many myths surrounding who can foster meaning that many people rule themselves out as possible foster carers unnecessarily. Have a look at our 'can I foster if...?' question and answers below.</p> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--body--page.html.twig * field--node--body.html.twig * field--node--page.html.twig * field--body.html.twig * field--text-with-summary.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div property="schema:text" class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field--item"><p class="CxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom:8.0pt">Click on the links below to be taken to the relevant section for your question. Have you got&nbsp;a question that isn't answered? Drop an email to <a href="mailto:info@fostering.net">info@fostering.net</a> and we'll do our best to answer it.</p> <p class="CxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom:8.0pt"><a href="#individualstatus">Who I am</a><br /> <a href="#workstatus">What I do</a><br /> <a href="#accommodationstatus">Where I live</a><br /> <a href="#healthstatus">My health&nbsp;</a><br /> <a href="#other">Other</a></p> <p class="CxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom:8.0pt">&nbsp;</p> <p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OgVganGYAXo" width="560"></iframe></p> <h2 class="CxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 8pt;"><a id="individualstatus" name="individualstatus"></a>Who I am</h2> <p><strong>I’m gay?</strong><br /> Your sexual orientation is not important to being a foster carer and will not stop you from fostering. What is important is that you can provide a young person with a safe, loving and stable home.</p> <p><strong>I’m transgender?</strong><br /> Yes, you can foster if you are transgender. Your gender does not, in any way, determine whether you are suitable to foster.</p> <p><strong>I’m not a British citizen?</strong><br /> British citizenship is not required to be a foster carer in the UK. However, most fostering services would expect you to be a full-time resident in the UK. Children from a wide range of backgrounds need fostering, so foster families come from all walks of life as well. If you are in the UK for a limited time, fostering services will take this into consideration due to the time and cost implications of approving people to foster.</p> <p><strong>English isn’t my first language?</strong><br /> There are a high number of children and young people in foster care who do not have English as their first language. Therefore, being placed in a family where English is not the first language can be beneficial to them. You will need a good level of spoken and written English to be able to communicate with other professionals, support children’s education and make notes and keep records.</p> <p><strong>I practice a religion?</strong><br /> It does not matter what your religion is, and this should not not affect your application to foster. Children should be placed with foster families that can meet their needs, including religious needs. However, you would need to consider how you feel about discussing issues such as alternative religious beliefs or certain ethical issues with a child, ensuring that you abide by the fostering service's policies.</p> <p><strong>I’m single?</strong><br /> You don’t have to be married or in a relationship to foster. There are loads of fantastic foster carers who are single, but you should be able to demonstrate a network of support.</p> <p><strong>I’m a single man?</strong><br /> When it comes to fostering, it doesn’t matter if you’re single or married. The role of a foster carer is to offer fostered children a safe and caring home and family for as long as they need it. If you can offer this, your relationship status and gender is not considered.</p> <p><strong>I have a new partner?</strong><br /> Having a new partner is not a problem. Best practice is to be open with your fostering service and inform them if there is a someone new who starts playing a prominent role in your life. If the person is involved in the care of the children or young people you are looking after in any way, they must be assessed and approved too. The fostering service’s duty to safeguard the children will always be paramount.</p> <p><strong>I’m under 21?</strong><br /> There is no legal lower age limit for fostering. Some fostering services set their own minimum age - often 21 in line with the law for adoption. There is an expectation that foster carers will have sufficient life experience to enable them to meet the needs of children placed with them, and age can be a factor in this. However, if a fostering service refuses to consider an application from a young adult of 18 or over based solely on age, they must be able to justify this under age discrimination laws.</p> <p><strong>I’m over 60?</strong><br /> Legally there is no upper age limit to foster, and there are many fantastic foster carers in their 60s or 70s. Fostering services are able to set their own upper age limit. What matters is that you are fit and able to care for and meet the needs of any child you are approved to look after.</p> <p><strong>I have a criminal record?</strong><br /> A criminal record does not necessarily stop you from becoming a foster carer. The law states that the only criminal convictions that prevent people from fostering are those that relate to an offence against children or a sexual offence. Minor offences should not count against you in your application to foster. All criminal convictions will need to be disclosed when you apply and the fostering service will obtain an enhanced disclosure and barring check. Any convictions or cautions will be explored with you by the fostering service.</p> <p><strong>I don't have my own children?</strong><br /> You don’t have to have your own children to foster. Any relevant experience of working with or caring for children is helpful (for example through work, looking after the children of relatives or friends), as is an understanding of child development. However, a&nbsp;lack of relevant experience is not an automatic bar to fostering.</p> <p><strong>I have no experience of working with children?</strong><br /> You will need to have some degree of experience dealing with children to foster. Although you need experience, this does not have to come from having your own children. If your profession involves dealing with children, such as a teacher or in a nursery setting or youth work, this can be deemed appropriate experience. Alternatively, your experience might come from family and friends’ children.<br /> &nbsp;</p> <h2><a id="workstatus" name="workstatus"></a>What I do</h2> <p><strong>I have a full-time job?</strong><br /> A fostering service may have their own policy regarding foster carers working alongside their fostering, but it is often possible to work part-time, particularly if caring for school-age children. Depending on the needs and age of children in your care it may also be possible to work full-time outside of&nbsp;fostering. Foster carers are expected to be available to care for children, attend meetings, training, support groups, and to promote and support contact between a child and their family. Fostering services would not usually consider it appropriate for a fostered child to be in full-time daycare while their foster carer works but may consider the use of afterschool clubs and other childcare arrangements for children if they are seen to be in the child’s best interests.</p> <p><strong>I don't have a steady income/certain salary?</strong><br /> Not having a steady income/certain salary will not restrict you from fostering, if you can demonstrate financial stability. Fostering is unpredictable - you may not always have a child living with you - and so the allowances and fees received from fostering should not be seen as the main form of income. You will need to think about how you will manage financially during such times when there is no fostering income.</p> <p><strong>I am on benefits?</strong><br /> You can still foster if you are receiving benefits. As a foster carer, you will receive fostering payments when a child is placed with you. Generally, fostering payments are completely disregarded as income when calculating welfare benefits or only taxable income from your fostering is regarded as income. Given that there is a generous tax scheme in place for foster carers, many foster carers’ taxable income is zero.</p> <p><strong>I serve in the military?</strong><br /> There is nothing to stop you from fostering if you serve in the military. However, your local authority would investigate certain elements to make sure you would be able to cater to the needs of the fostered child. For example, if you are required to relocate on a regular basis, it could be difficult to provide the fostered child or young person with the required stability. Alternatively, certain types of fostering may be more suitable, such as respite, short-term and emergency.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2><a id="accommodationstatus" name="accommodationstatus"></a>Where I live</h2> <p><strong>I don’t have a big house?</strong><br /> The size of your house will not necessarily be a determining factor in whether you can foster or not. What will be looked at is whether you have a spare room that is big enough for a young person to live in, and whether the accommodation is safe.</p> <p><strong>I don’t own my own house?</strong><br /> Not owning your own house does not bar you from fostering but you will need to demonstrate stability. There are lots of foster carers who live in rented accommodation. Most fostering services require you to have a spare bedroom to ensure the child you foster has the privacy and space they require.</p> <p><strong>I still live with my parents?</strong><br /> You can apply to become a foster carer when you live with your parents, but during the assessment the fostering service will explore who would be the ‘main’ foster carer. If anyone else will be involved in caring for the child or young person, they will have to be assessed and approved too, to guarantee the safety and wellbeing of the looked after child.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2><a id="healthstatus" name="healthstatus"></a>My health&nbsp;</h2> <p><strong>I have a chronic illness?</strong><br /> A fostering service is looking to ensure that people who apply to become foster carers are physically and psychologically fit enough to care for children and meet their needs. A fostering service will seek a medical report as part of the assessment process. Medical information is only one part of your assessment, and there is nothing in the fostering regulations or standards that would direct a fostering service to turn down an application based on any named illness, disability, past or current medication or treatment.</p> <p><strong>I have a disability?</strong><br /> Having a disability does not prevent you from being a foster carer. A fostering service is looking to ensure that people who apply to become foster carers are physically and psychologically fit enough to care for children and meet their needs. Medical information is only one part of your assessment, and there is nothing in the fostering regulations or standards that would direct a fostering service to turn down an application based on any named illness, disability, past or current medication or treatment. Fostering services must treat applicants fairly, without prejudice, openly and with respect.</p> <p><strong>I have mental health problems?</strong><br /> A fostering service will seek a medical report as part of the assessment process, and any relevant mental health problems may appear as part of your medical information. Medical information is only one part of your assessment, and there is nothing in the fostering regulations or standards that would direct a fostering service to turn down an application based on any named illness, disability, past or current medication or treatment. Fostering services must treat applicants fairly, without prejudice, openly and with respect.</p> <p><strong>I smoke?</strong><br /> Most fostering services have their own policies in relation to smoking which take into account the impact on the health of any children that will be placed with you and also the importance of foster carers as role models for young people in care. This may mean prospective foster carers who smoke are given support to stop smoking or are unlikely to be able to foster certain groups such as children under five and those with certain health conditions. It is important that you discuss this with any fostering service that you wish to foster for to make sure that you are aware of their policy. All foster carers should provide a smoke-free environment for children.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2><a id="other" name="other"></a>Other</h2> <p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/P5O5njWLYUs" width="560"></iframe></p> <p><strong>I can’t drive?</strong><br /> To foster, it is important to be able to meet the needs of the child or young person that comes into your care. This might include getting them to school every day or taking them to contact appointments with their birth family. If you cannot drive, you will need to demonstrate that you have access to good public transport links.</p> <p><strong>I am unsure if I can make a difference?</strong><br /> Children and young people come into the care system due to a range of different reasons. Some children may have witnessed domestic violence, a parent’s depression, or drug or alcohol abuse. Others may have been abused or neglected. Therefore, a fostered child will need somewhere that they can feel safe and secure and that will likely have a positive effect.</p> <p><strong>I have a dog?</strong><br /> Having a dog does not stop you from fostering. Pets are very much part of normal family life and can even be seen as a huge positive to a foster family. However, every pet will be assessed as part of the process of becoming a foster carer, considering factors such as their temperament and behaviour. As a pet owner you should also take into account how you would react if a child harms one of your pets.</p> <p><strong>I own a snake?</strong><br /> Owning a snake does not bar you from fostering. Every applicant must fill out a pet questionnaire during their assessment which will be taken into account by the fostering service who decides on your approval.</p> <p><strong>I own a gun?</strong><br /> Owning a gun is not an automatic bar to fostering. For those applicants who live in rural areas, owning a gun is not uncommon. During your assessment, the fostering service will thoroughly explore all of this, check your licence to own a gun (and every other legal requirement concomitant with gun possession, including storage and so on) and make sure everything is lawful.</p> <p>Click on the drop-down button at the top left of the video to choose a film to watch.</p> <p>Tags:</p> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'links__node' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * links--node.html.twig x links.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/tfnetwork/templates/system/links.html.twig' --> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/tfnetwork/templates/system/links.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-content-topic--page.html.twig * field--node--field-content-topic.html.twig * field--node--page.html.twig * field--field-content-topic.html.twig * field--entity-reference.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-content-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field--items"> <div class="field--item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1079" hreflang="en">becoming a foster carer</a></div> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-members-only--page.html.twig * field--node--field-members-only.html.twig * field--node--page.html.twig * field--field-members-only.html.twig * field--boolean.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-members-only field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field--item">0</div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> Fri, 28 Apr 2017 08:02:53 +0000 Daniel.Sinclairtfn 10737 at https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk The Skills to Foster https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/get-involved/training-consultancy/skills-foster <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--title--page.html.twig x field--node--title.html.twig * field--node--page.html.twig * field--title.html.twig * field--string.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--title.html.twig' --> <span property="schema:name">The Skills to Foster</span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--title.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--uid--page.html.twig x field--node--uid.html.twig * field--node--page.html.twig * field--uid.html.twig * field--entity-reference.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--uid.html.twig' --> <span rel="schema:author"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'username' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/user/templates/username.html.twig' --> <span lang="" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="">admin</span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/user/templates/username.html.twig' --> </span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--uid.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--created--page.html.twig x field--node--created.html.twig * field--node--page.html.twig * field--created.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--created.html.twig' --> <span property="schema:dateCreated" content="2015-12-21T15:26:37+00:00">Mon, 12/21/2015 - 15:26</span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--created.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-introduction--page.html.twig * field--node--field-introduction.html.twig * field--node--page.html.twig * field--field-introduction.html.twig * field--text-long.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-introduction field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field--item"><p>The Skills to Foster™ is an essential resource for anyone involved in preparing new applicants for fostering and assessing prospective foster carers.</p> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--body--page.html.twig * field--node--body.html.twig * field--node--page.html.twig * field--body.html.twig * field--text-with-summary.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div property="schema:text" class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field--item"><p>We are pleased to share that the new edition of The Skills to Foster will be available in 2024. It includes a new focus on equality, diversity and inclusion, and expanded content on child development, trauma and therapeutic approaches to fostering.&nbsp;</p> <p>This new edition will be accessible via a learning management system, designed to support services and foster carers to access the resource in a variety of ways.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Skills to Foster can be delivered in person, virtually and offer remote learning elements between sessions. &nbsp;By accessing the resource in this way, fostering services will always benefit from the most up to date training, with updates coming straight through the system. &nbsp;</p> <h3>Learning management system support</h3> <p>We want our fostering services and carers to get the most out of the platform and will support users to do this. The Fostering Network will be offering services training on the platform through:&nbsp;<br /> •&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;A series of masterclasses with our learning and development team&nbsp;<br /> •&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Our The Skills to Foster: train the trainer course&nbsp;<br /> •&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Direct delivery of the pre-approval course to prospective foster carers&nbsp;<br /> •&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Video tutorials to walk services through every part of using the platform to deliver The Skills to Foster&nbsp;<br /> •&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Guidance on how to access and manage reports for trainees on the platform&nbsp;</p> <p>The Skills to Foster has helped countless foster carers and services over the years, and we are excited to see the further difference it makes.<br /> &nbsp;</p> <p>The Skills to Foster third edition is currently available to be purchased, this edition also provides the materials for course leaders electronically to support hybrid and online delivery of the pre-approval course. We also have training notes and top tips for delivering online training.<a href="https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/advice-information/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-covid-19-support-fostering-services/skills"> Find out more about the digital edition</a>.</p> <p><a class="button" href="https://www.fosteringresources.co.uk/?cid=1&amp;sid=12">Order The Skills to Foster™ Third Edition now</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3><a id="materials" name="materials"></a>The Skills to Foster™ Assessment Materials</h3> <p>The Skills to Foster™ Assessment Materials complement the pre-approval course and are used to assess potential foster carers on the basis of their skills, knowledge, abilities and experiences. These are available on an annual licence basis for use with mainstream carers and also family and friends carers.</p> <p>Reflecting the latest changes in legislation and produced in an interactive PDF format, the materials are designed to be easier to complete for social workers and give a clear recommendation for decision makers.</p> <p>The Skills to Foster™ Assessment:</p> <ul> <li>ensures consistent, high quality assessment of potential foster carers;</li> <li>is fostering specific, placing emphasis on duties particular to foster care, ensuring applicants have an adequate support network and making provisions for the sons and daughters of foster carers;</li> <li>actively involves the applicant, making sure they are aware of what being a foster carer involves and how they can be a positive role model for the children and young people they look after;</li> <li> <div>is easy to use and easy to adapt and customise to reflect your recruitment process and needs.<br /> &nbsp;</div> </li> </ul> <p>By using both The Skills to Foster™ pre-approval training and the assessment process to train and assess your foster carers, we estimate that you can provide evidence for over 70 per cent of the Training, Support and Development Standards for Foster Care in England.</p> <p><a class="button" href="https://www.fosteringresources.co.uk/?cid=1&amp;sid=2">Order The Skills to Foster™ assessment materials</a></p> <h4>&nbsp;</h4> <h4>The Care Planning, Placement and Case Review and Fostering Services Regulations 2013</h4> <p>The publication of The Care Planning, Placement and Case Review and Fostering Services (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2013 introduced a two-stage process to the assessment of foster carers in England. In order to provide a simple but clear means of tracking compliance with the amendments to the regulations, The Fostering Network has now introduced a Fostering Assessment Progress Sheet. This form has been introduced as an addition to the existing The Skills to Foster™ assessment documents and acts as a tracking document.</p> <p>The <a href="/sites/default/files/members-only/content/revised-assessment-progress-sheet-051113.doc">Fostering Assessment Progress Sheet</a>, plus an <a href="/sites/default/files/members-only/content/aw-assessment-doc-introduction-final-051113.doc">explanatory document</a>, is available for members to download.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><a class="button" href="mailto:learn@fostering.net?subject=Skills%20to%20Foster" target="_blank">Contact the Training Team</a></p> <p>Tags:</p> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'links__node' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * links--node.html.twig x links.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/tfnetwork/templates/system/links.html.twig' --> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/tfnetwork/templates/system/links.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-content-topic--page.html.twig * field--node--field-content-topic.html.twig * field--node--page.html.twig * field--field-content-topic.html.twig * field--entity-reference.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-content-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field--items"> <div class="field--item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1954" hreflang="en">Approval</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1079" hreflang="en">becoming a foster carer</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1174" hreflang="en">education and training</a></div> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-members-only--page.html.twig * field--node--field-members-only.html.twig * field--node--page.html.twig * field--field-members-only.html.twig * field--boolean.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-members-only field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field--item">0</div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> Mon, 21 Dec 2015 15:26:37 +0000 admin 9910 at https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk Foster carer membership https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/get-involved/membership/foster-carer-membership <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--title--page.html.twig x field--node--title.html.twig * field--node--page.html.twig * field--title.html.twig * field--string.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--title.html.twig' --> <span property="schema:name">Foster carer membership </span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--title.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--uid--page.html.twig x field--node--uid.html.twig * field--node--page.html.twig * field--uid.html.twig * field--entity-reference.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--uid.html.twig' --> <span rel="schema:author"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'username' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/user/templates/username.html.twig' --> <span lang="" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="">admin</span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/user/templates/username.html.twig' --> </span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--uid.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--created--page.html.twig x field--node--created.html.twig * field--node--page.html.twig * field--created.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--created.html.twig' --> <span property="schema:dateCreated" content="2015-12-17T14:22:36+00:00">Thu, 12/17/2015 - 14:22</span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--created.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-introduction--page.html.twig * field--node--field-introduction.html.twig * field--node--page.html.twig * field--field-introduction.html.twig * field--text-long.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-introduction field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field--item"><p>Our membership for foster carers is designed to ensure you are protected, supported and connected in your vital role transforming children and young people’s lives. &nbsp;Become a part of UK's largest fostering community today.</p> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--body--page.html.twig * field--node--body.html.twig * field--node--page.html.twig * field--body.html.twig * field--text-with-summary.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div property="schema:text" class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field--item"><h3><strong>About membership</strong></h3> <p>By listening to and working with our members we create vital change. We influence fostering policy and practice at every level and campaign to ensure foster care is the very best it can be. We also raise the profile of fostering and challenge the myths and stigma surrounding care. Join our membership to become a part of the UK's largest fostering community. Read more about the benefits of membership below.</p> <blockquote> <p><em>‘Being a member helps me stay informed about what’s going on in fostering and links me in with other foster carers. Feeling like I’m part of a community is really important.’ </em> </p> <p>Foster carer</p> <p><a class="button" href="https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/household-membership">Request membership for your household</a> </p> </blockquote> <h3><br /> <strong>We protect</strong></h3> <p><strong><a id="legal" name="legal"></a></strong>It is essential that as a foster carer you are protected when caring for children and young people. All of our foster carer members receive <strong>market-leading legal protection insurance</strong> that <strong>covers the</strong> <strong>whole fostering family</strong>. This includes:</p> <ul> <li><strong>a legal helpline</strong> for expert advice on allegations and help with any legal queries </li> <li><strong>attendance by a qualified and experienced solicitor</strong> should you or any of your household have to attend a police interview under caution as a result of an allegation</li> <li><strong>cover for up to £150,000 legal expenses</strong> if a criminal prosecution or civil proceeding is brought against you or any of your household as a result of an allegation</li> <li>cover for any allegations that you are made aware of during the period of your membership including <strong>historic allegations</strong>.</li> </ul> <p><br /> You are also covered by our legal protection insurance if you are a foster carer looking after a young person up to the age of 25 under Staying Put or equivalent (Continuing Care, Going the Extra Mile and When I Am Ready) or if you provide supported lodgings.<br /> <br /> If you are a member, you can access the legal helpline on <strong>01384 885734</strong>. Please log in to access the <a href="https://thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/Legalprotectionpolicy">legal protection policy</a>.</p> <p> </p> <h3><strong>We support</strong></h3> <h3><a id="helplines" name="helplines"></a>Helplines</h3> <p>Our member <a href="https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/advice-information/advice/fostering-network-helplines">helplines</a> can offer you independent advice on all aspects of fostering, from tax and benefits to delegated authority. Open Monday to Friday, get in touch with your fostering queries. </p> <p>We also provide a completely confidential <strong>stress support service</strong>, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Please call 01384 889 549 and ask for the stress helpline. </p> <h3>Learning and development</h3> <p>We support the development of foster carers’ skills and abilities through our wide selection of online resources, <a href="https://www.fosteringresources.co.uk/">publications</a> and <a href="https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/get-involved/training-consultancy">training</a>, all of which are discounted for our members. These provide relevant, up to date and practical information that will help you to provide the best possible care. <a id="discounts" name="discounts"></a></p> <h3><a id="discounts" name="discounts"></a>Discounts</h3> <p>For many foster carers, securing a <strong>mortgage</strong> or getting the right <strong>home insurance</strong> can be a complicated process. To make it easier for our members, we’ve developed relationships with the following specialist home insurance and mortgage providers that understand fostering: </p> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/get-involved/membership/foster-carer-membership/mortgage-brain">The Mortgage Brain</a> provide specialist mortgage advice to our foster carer members and a <strong>discounted arrangement fee of £150</strong> for a completed mortgage.</li> </ul> <p><br /> We are also pleased to be working in partnership with <a href="https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/williams-giles">Williams Giles</a> who provide a fixed fee<strong> tax</strong> <strong>return service</strong> for foster carers. For members who are not currently customers with Williams Giles, they are offering <strong>five per cent off </strong>this service, as well as donating five per cent of their usual fee to The Fostering Network.</p> <p>We also understand the importance of spending quality time together as a family, so we provide discounts on <strong>family days out</strong> and <strong>holidays </strong>for our members. This includes:</p> <ul> <li><strong>Discounts on tickets booked in advance</strong> for <strong>a host of attractions and products across the UK</strong>...</li> <li><strong>10 per cent off </strong>entry at <strong>Go Ape</strong> outdoor adventure centres.</li> <li><strong>up to 10 per cent off holidays and short breaks</strong> with Haven, Hoseasons and cottages.com. <strong>Haven</strong> have pledged a Coronavirus Book with Confidence Guarantee, which means you can book a holiday safe in the knowledge that you are covered if the Coronavirus Pandemic interrupts your plans.</li> <li><strong>15 per cent off</strong> a huge range of <strong>arts and craft supplies </strong>available for home delivery from <strong>Baker Ross.</strong></li> <li>1<strong>0 per cent off </strong>online orders from <strong>Foyles</strong>, the independent <strong>book store.</strong></li> <li><strong>40 per cent off</strong> online orders of party games from <strong>Big Potato Games</strong></li> <li><strong>£10 off</strong> any three-month subscription to <strong>Little Cooks Co</strong>, offering an easy, fun and healthy cooking activity for your kids. Their award-winning monthly kits make baking simple.<br />  </li> </ul> <p>All of our discounts are achieved through partnerships or agreements with providers at no cost to The Fostering Network. This ensures that all the funds we receive through membership are reinvested into our work making foster care is the very best it can be.</p> <p><font face="&quot;AkkoRoundedPro-Medium&quot;,sans-serif"><font color="#005000"><font style="background-color: rgb(234, 105, 10);"><a class="button" href="https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/get-involved/membership/foster-carer-membership/special-discounts-foster-carers">Login to access member discounts </a></font></font></font></p> <p> </p> <h3><strong>We connect</strong></h3> <h3><a id="events" name="events"></a>Events</h3> <p>We connect our foster carer and fostering service members through events, providing the opportunity to hear about the latest developments in fostering and to meet others from the fostering community. All of our members will be invited to our <strong>conferences</strong> which offer expert speaker and best practice sessions exploring local, regional and national issues in fostering. </p> <p><a href="https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/training-and-events">Visit our events page to find details of upcoming events in your area</a>.</p> <h3><a id="community" name="community"></a>Online community</h3> <p>Our online community provides a space for foster carer members to connect, <strong>share advice, support </strong>and <strong>personal experiences</strong> with each other.</p> <p><a href="https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/user/login">Log in</a> to read and share stories, successes and challenges with a community of foster carers.</p> <h3><a id="magazine" name="magazine"></a>Magazine and e-newsletter</h3> <p>As well as linking you in with other foster carers, we want to ensure our members feel connected to the wider fostering sector. That is why all our members receive our termly <strong>Foster Care magazine</strong>, which is full of in-depth articles on hot topics in fostering, as well as inspirational carer profiles, book reviews and foster family stories. </p> <p><a href="https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/dashboard/magazines">Log in to read our magazines online</a>. If you are not yet a member you will be able to read some example articles from our magazines.</p> <p>In addition, our <strong>monthly e-newsletter</strong> ensures our members stay up to date with the latest sector news. If you are a member but are not receiving your monthly email or Foster Care magazine, please email <a href="mailto:membership@fostering.net">membership@fostering.net</a>.</p> <h3>Creating change in foster care</h3> <p>You can get involved in our <strong>campaigning work</strong> by signing up to our <a href="https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/get-involved/our-campaigns/campaign-us">campaigners e-newsletter</a>. You will hear about opportunities to campaign for fostering such writing letter to your MP and taking part in surveys.</p> <p>We also develop and pilot <strong>innovative approaches to foster care</strong> through our <a href="https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/policy-practice/projects-and-programmes">projects and programmes</a> such as the Mockingbird programme.</p> <h3>Raising the profile of fostering</h3> <p>Fostering transforms lives and we want everyone to recognise the crucial role that it plays in our society. That is why we work with our members to raise the profile of fostering and challenge the myths and stigma surrounding care for example by delivering <a href="https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/get-involved/foster-care-fortnight">Foster Care Fortnight<sup>TM</sup></a>, the annual <a href="https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/get-involved/championing-fostering/fostering-excellence-awards">Fostering Excellence Awards</a> and through our <a href="https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/media">media work</a>.</p> <p> </p> <p class="text-align-center"><a class="button" href="https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/household-membership">Request membership for your household</a> </p> <p>Tags:</p> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'links__node' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * links--node.html.twig x links.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/tfnetwork/templates/system/links.html.twig' --> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/tfnetwork/templates/system/links.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-content-topic--page.html.twig * field--node--field-content-topic.html.twig * field--node--page.html.twig * field--field-content-topic.html.twig * field--entity-reference.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-content-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field--items"> <div class="field--item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1079" hreflang="en">becoming a foster carer</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1213" hreflang="en">membership</a></div> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-members-only--page.html.twig * field--node--field-members-only.html.twig * field--node--page.html.twig * field--field-members-only.html.twig * field--boolean.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-members-only field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field--item">0</div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> Thu, 17 Dec 2015 14:22:36 +0000 admin 9913 at https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk Exemptions in England https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/policy-practice/practice-information/exemptions-in-england <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--title--page.html.twig x field--node--title.html.twig * field--node--page.html.twig * field--title.html.twig * field--string.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--title.html.twig' --> <span property="schema:name">Exemptions in England</span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--title.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--uid--page.html.twig x field--node--uid.html.twig * field--node--page.html.twig * field--uid.html.twig * field--entity-reference.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--uid.html.twig' --> <span rel="schema:author"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'username' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/user/templates/username.html.twig' --> <span lang="" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="">admin</span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/user/templates/username.html.twig' --> </span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--uid.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--created--page.html.twig x field--node--created.html.twig * field--node--page.html.twig * field--created.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--created.html.twig' --> <span property="schema:dateCreated" content="2015-12-17T11:53:08+00:00">Thu, 12/17/2015 - 11:53</span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--created.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-introduction--page.html.twig * field--node--field-introduction.html.twig * field--node--page.html.twig * field--field-introduction.html.twig * field--text-long.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-introduction field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field--item"><p>Registration as a foster carer usually limits the number of unrelated children who can be cared for at any one time to three. An ‘exemption’ refers to the powers given to local authorities to exempt a foster carer in England from the requirement to register as a children’s home in order to care for more than three unrelated children. The Fostering Network has produced a Practice Information Note on exemptions in England for members.</p> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--body--page.html.twig * field--node--body.html.twig * field--node--page.html.twig * field--body.html.twig * field--text-with-summary.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div property="schema:text" class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field--item"><p>In general, any individual in England who wishes to be registered to care for four or more unrelated looked after children is required to register as a children’s home. Registration as a foster carer usually limits the number of unrelated children who can be cared for at any one time to three.</p> <p>An ‘exemption’ refers to the powers given to local authorities under the Children Act 1989 to exempt a foster carer living within their area from the requirement to register as a children’s home, in order to care for four or more specific named children. Exemptions have to be applied for and agreed before a fostering agency can agree to any of their foster carers having more than three unrelated children placed.</p> <p>The Fostering Network has produced a <a href="https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/sites/default/files/2022-09/2022.08%20PIN%20Exemptions%20updated%20Aug2022.pdf">Practice Information Note on exemptions in England (updated August 2022)</a>&nbsp;for our members. The purpose of this Practice Information Note is to&nbsp;review the legislation surrounding exemptions,&nbsp;outline the requirements of the regulations and statutory guidance and&nbsp;provide best practice recommendations.</p> <p>Each service will decide on its policy and practice based on the needs of the children and young people in its care and its foster carer population. Our&nbsp;<a href="/advice-information/advice/practice-support">practice support team</a> can provide additional support and guidance for member fostering services reviewing&nbsp;policy or practice.</p> <p>Log in to read the <a href="https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/sites/default/files/2022-09/2022.08%20PIN%20Exemptions%20updated%20Aug2022.pdf">Practice Information Note on exemptions in England</a>.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em>Updated August 2022</em></p> <p>Tags:</p> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'links__node' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * links--node.html.twig x links.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/tfnetwork/templates/system/links.html.twig' --> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/tfnetwork/templates/system/links.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-content-topic--page.html.twig * field--node--field-content-topic.html.twig * field--node--page.html.twig * field--field-content-topic.html.twig * field--entity-reference.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-content-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field--items"> <div class="field--item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1079" hreflang="en">becoming a foster carer</a></div> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-members-only--page.html.twig * field--node--field-members-only.html.twig * field--node--page.html.twig * field--field-members-only.html.twig * field--boolean.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-members-only field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field--item">0</div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> Thu, 17 Dec 2015 11:53:08 +0000 admin 9887 at https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk About fostering https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/advice-information/all-about-fostering/what-fostering <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--title--page.html.twig x field--node--title.html.twig * field--node--page.html.twig * field--title.html.twig * field--string.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--title.html.twig' --> <span property="schema:name">About fostering</span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--title.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--uid--page.html.twig x field--node--uid.html.twig * field--node--page.html.twig * field--uid.html.twig * field--entity-reference.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--uid.html.twig' --> <span rel="schema:author"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'username' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/user/templates/username.html.twig' --> <span lang="" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="">admin</span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/user/templates/username.html.twig' --> </span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--uid.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--created--page.html.twig x field--node--created.html.twig * field--node--page.html.twig * field--created.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--created.html.twig' --> <span property="schema:dateCreated" content="2015-12-15T12:23:19+00:00">Tue, 12/15/2015 - 12:23</span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--created.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-introduction--page.html.twig * field--node--field-introduction.html.twig * field--node--page.html.twig * field--field-introduction.html.twig * field--text-long.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-introduction field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field--item"><p>Every 20 minutes another child comes into care needing a foster family in the UK. And every day there are about 70,000 children living with 56,000 foster families.</p> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--body--page.html.twig * field--node--body.html.twig * field--node--page.html.twig * field--body.html.twig * field--text-with-summary.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div property="schema:text" class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field--item"><p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3S__dH_3un4" width="560"></iframe></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Children come into care for many different reasons. Sometimes it is because of a parent’s short-term illness or a temporary problem within the family that requires the children to have alternative care. Some have experienced domestic violence or witnessed drug and alcohol misuse, others have been abused or neglected. For many children and young people fostering is often their first positive experience of family life.</p> <p>There are many different <a href="/advice-information/could-you-foster/types-fostering">types of fostering</a> depending on the needs of the child. Sometimes children only stay with a foster family for a few days, while others will live with their foster family for their entire childhood&nbsp;and beyond.</p> <p>Fostering offers children a safe and caring family, usually geographically close to their home, while they are unable to live with their own, and provides an opportunity for other professionals to work with the birth family to help resolve their issues.</p> <p>Local authorities in England, Scotland and Wales, and health and social care trusts in Northern Ireland, have the ultimate responsibility to look after children and young people in care as their corporate parent. They will directly recruit foster carers to care for children and young people and independent fostering providers will also recruit foster carers to provide fostering placements to these public authorities.</p> <p>Foster carers in the UK are trained, assessed and approved to look after fostered children by a fostering service. They are child care experts working as part of a team of professionals providing children with the highest standard of care. Alongside this professionalism, they offer these children love, warmth and a positive experience of family life.</p> <p>Some foster carers are approved specifically to look after members of their own family, like grandchildren or nieces and nephews. These foster carers are known as family and friends foster carers or kinship foster carers.</p> <p>Whether it's overnight or for a number of years, foster carers can provide the support, stability, and care in a safe, loving environment every child needs. Being a foster carer is not easy, but fostering can make a huge difference to the lives of&nbsp;children.</p> <p>Not all children who come into care can return to live with their parents. In these cases, the courts will decide the best option to make sure they are safe, stable and can grow throughout their childhood in a ‘permanent’ home. There are a number of options for permanence including adoption and long term fostering. You can <a href="/advice-information/all-about-fostering/what-permanence">read more about them here</a>.</p> <p><a href="/advice-information/all-about-fostering/what-do-foster-carers-do">Find out more about what being a foster carer involves.</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <figure> <blockquote> <p>The foster family I grew up with, I have nothing but love for them.</p> <p><span style="font-weight: 600;">Pandora Christie, TV and radio presenter&nbsp;and supporter of The Fostering Network</span></p> </blockquote> </figure> <figure> <figcaption> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>Tags:</div> </figcaption> </figure> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'links__node' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * links--node.html.twig x links.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/tfnetwork/templates/system/links.html.twig' --> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/tfnetwork/templates/system/links.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-content-topic--page.html.twig * field--node--field-content-topic.html.twig * field--node--page.html.twig * field--field-content-topic.html.twig * field--entity-reference.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-content-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field--items"> <div class="field--item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1079" hreflang="en">becoming a foster carer</a></div> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-members-only--page.html.twig * field--node--field-members-only.html.twig * field--node--page.html.twig * field--field-members-only.html.twig * field--boolean.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-members-only field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field--item">0</div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> Tue, 15 Dec 2015 12:23:19 +0000 admin 9853 at https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk The journey to approval https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/advice-information/could-you-foster/journey-approval <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--title--page.html.twig x field--node--title.html.twig * field--node--page.html.twig * field--title.html.twig * field--string.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--title.html.twig' --> <span property="schema:name">The journey to approval</span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--title.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--uid--page.html.twig x field--node--uid.html.twig * field--node--page.html.twig * field--uid.html.twig * field--entity-reference.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--uid.html.twig' --> <span rel="schema:author"> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'username' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/user/templates/username.html.twig' --> <span lang="" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="">admin</span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/user/templates/username.html.twig' --> </span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--uid.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--created--page.html.twig x field--node--created.html.twig * field--node--page.html.twig * field--created.html.twig * field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--created.html.twig' --> <span property="schema:dateCreated" content="2015-12-15T11:58:22+00:00">Tue, 12/15/2015 - 11:58</span> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'core/modules/node/templates/field--node--created.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-introduction--page.html.twig * field--node--field-introduction.html.twig * field--node--page.html.twig * field--field-introduction.html.twig * field--text-long.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-introduction field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field--item"><p>Choosing the right fostering service for you is the first step on the way to becoming an approved foster carer. The assessment and approval process is likely to take around eight months.</p> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--body--page.html.twig * field--node--body.html.twig * field--node--page.html.twig * field--body.html.twig * field--text-with-summary.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div property="schema:text" class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field--item"><p>Once you have decided upon the service you would like to foster with, contact them to enquire and have an initial discussion about fostering and for the service to find out a little about you. You may be invited to attend an information session or the fostering service will offer for a member of their team to come out and visit you in your home to have a discussion about fostering.</p> <p>If you are keen to progress your enquiry, you can ask to be assessed to foster by the service. You will be asked to complete an application form and a social worker will be assigned to begin a detailed assessment as to whether you are suitable and for which type of fostering.</p> <p>You will also be invited to attend training, giving you the skills to foster, taking place on a combination of four to five evenings and/or weekends, depending on your fostering service.</p> <p>The assessment can take around four to five months to complete. Your assessor will submit a full report to the fostering panel who will consider your suitability to foster. The fostering panel will make a recommendation about your approval to the fostering service.</p> <p>On average, the journey to approval can take around eight months from your first enquiry. This can seem like a long time, but fostering services need to make sure you are suitable, and prepare you as best as possible, to foster a child or young person in your local community.</p> <p>Sometimes a child can be placed with you as soon as you are approved as a foster carer. For others, it can take a while for a child to arrive. It is important that your fostering service makes sure that you are the right foster carer to look after a particular child or children. Making a good match is essential for a successful fostering placement.</p> <p>Throughout your career as a foster carer, you will receive support and supervision from your fostering service as well as the opportunity of ongoing learning and development. The fostering service will review your approval to foster annually.</p> <p>Tags:</p> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'links__node' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * links--node.html.twig x links.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/tfnetwork/templates/system/links.html.twig' --> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/tfnetwork/templates/system/links.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-content-topic--page.html.twig * field--node--field-content-topic.html.twig * field--node--page.html.twig * field--field-content-topic.html.twig * field--entity-reference.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-content-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field--items"> <div class="field--item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1954" hreflang="en">Approval</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1078" hreflang="en">transfer between fostering service providers</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1079" hreflang="en">becoming a foster carer</a></div> </div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' --> <!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS: * field--node--field-members-only--page.html.twig * field--node--field-members-only.html.twig * field--node--page.html.twig * field--field-members-only.html.twig * field--boolean.html.twig x field.html.twig --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> <div class="field field--name-field-members-only field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field--item">0</div> <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/bootstrap/templates/field/field.html.twig' --> Tue, 15 Dec 2015 11:58:22 +0000 admin 9774 at https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk