Foster Carer - Art Therapist/Play Therapist

Sanctuary Personnel; Lancashire; On-site; GBP 1,000; Full time

Job summary

A fostering agency in the UK is seeking Art Therapists and Play Therapists to become Step Forward Foster Carers. You will provide a nurturing environment for young people transitioning from residential care while receiving significant support and training. The role offers a financial package of GBP1,052 per week plus additional allowances. This is a unique opportunity to use your therapeutic skills and make a lasting impact on young lives.

Benefits

Comprehensive emotional and financial support

Specialist training in trauma-informed care

24/7 Out-of-Hours Support

Qualifications

• Experience working with children, young people, or families in a therapeutic capacity.
• Full-time availability and a spare bedroom.
• A willingness to complete professional training.
• The right to work in the UK.

Responsibilities

• Provide a safe and nurturing home for young people transitioning from residential care.
• Offer emotional and therapeutic support to children.
• Work as part of a supportive team with professionals.

Skills

Building positive relationships

Empathy

Resilience

Therapeutic skills

Job description

Overview

Become a Step Forward Foster Carer A Life-Changing Opportunity for Art Therapists and Play Therapists
Foster with TACT Fostering and Bury Council

Please note: This role requires you to be self-Employed

Are you an Art Therapist or Play Therapist who is passionate about supporting young people through creative and therapeutic interventions? You already have the empathy, dedication, and commitment needed to make a profound difference in a young person s life.

We are looking for compassionate, resilient individuals like you to become Step Forward Foster Carers offering a safe, nurturing home to a young person transitioning from residential care. This is a unique opportunity to take the therapeutic skills you ve developed and make a lasting, personal impact. This could be your most rewarding role yet offering not just care, but a future full of hope.

What is Step Forward Fostering?

Step Forward Fostering is a pioneering project that helps young people who have faced trauma, loss, and instability transition from residential care into a caring family environment.

These young people aren t just looking for a place to stay they need someone like you: a supportive adult who understands their needs, builds trust, and provides the consistency they ve often lacked. As a Step Forward Foster Carer, you ll be part of a supportive team, working alongside professionals who are there to guide you every step of the way. You ll never be alone on this journey.

What You ll Receive

We understand that caring for a young person with complex needs is a significant commitment. That s why we provide comprehensive support both emotionally and financially.

Specialist Support:

• Your own Senior Practitioner offering regular guidance and supervision
• A Family Wellbeing Worker to support you and your foster child
• A Hub Carer providing up to 28 days of planned short breaks every year
• 24/7 Out-of-Hours Support, ensuring you re never alone
• Access to a network of other Step Forward Carers for peer support
• Ongoing training in trauma-informed care and understanding neurodevelopmental needs
• Therapeutic and psychological support to build on your existing skills

Financial Package:

• GBP1,052 per week while you have a child placed with you (around GBP54,704 a year)
• GBP408 per week retainer between placements (up to GBP21,216 a year)
• Extra allowances for birthdays, holidays, and cultural celebrations
• Tax exemptions specifically designed for foster carers

Is This You?

We are looking for Art Therapists and Play Therapists who are:

• Passionate about making a difference beyond their current role
• Skilled in building positive, trusting relationships with children and young people
• Resilient, empathetic, and committed to providing stability
• Ready to transfer their therapeutic skills to a family-based setting

If this sounds like you, we would love to hear from you!

Please note: Ideally, applicants should not have children under 16 living at home, but we consider each family situation individually.

To Be Eligible, You ll Need:

• Experience working with children, young people, or families in a therapeutic capacity
• Full-time availability and a spare bedroom
• A willingness to complete our professional training
• The right to work in the UK

Take the next step in your career and become a Step Forward Foster Carer. Your experience as an Art Therapist or Play Therapist could be the foundation for a truly life-changing role.