Foster Carer – Child Development Practitioner

Sanctuary Personnel Ltd; Plymouth; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Council tax exemption

Respite allowances

Trauma-informed training

24/7 social work support

Mockingbird Fostering Model

Job summary

Sanctuary Personnel in partnership with Plymouth City Council is seeking Step Forward Foster Carers in Plymouth and surrounding areas. The role offers a real way to transform a child’s life by providing a safe home, emotional support, and stability.

You’ll be self-employed and work full-time from your own home with a dedicated bedroom, and you’ll benefit from council tax exemption, paid respite, specialised trauma-informed training, and 24/7 social support to help you and the child thrive.

Qualifications

• Be 21 years of age or over
• Have a spare, dedicated bedroom in your home
• Have experience supporting children, young people, or vulnerable adults (professionally or personally)
• Be a British citizen or hold Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK

Responsibilities

• Foster in Plymouth and surrounding areas, providing safety, consistency and emotional support to children.
• Work as part of the Step Forward programme, helping children transition from care to stability.
• Offer long-term fostering in your own home with a dedicated bedroom and full-time commitment.
• Collaborate with a supportive team to ensure the wellbeing and development of placed children.

Job description

Salary From £840 per week when a child is placed

Ready for a Change? Use Your Skills to Transform a Child’s Life
Step Forward Foster Carer – Plymouth & Surrounding Areas
Employer: Sanctuary Personnel (in partnership with Plymouth City Council)
Location: Plymouth & surrounding areas
Salary: From £840 per week when a child is placed
Employment Type: Full-time | Self-employed
Sector: Social Care | Residential Management | Child Welfare

To foster in the UK, you must meet all of the following requirements:

• Be 21 years of age or over
• Have a spare, dedicated bedroom in your home
• Have experience supporting children, young people, or vulnerable adults (professionally or personally)
• Be a British citizen or hold Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK

Important – Visa Status

We are unable to accept applications from individuals who hold:

• EU Settled or Pre-Settled Status
• Skilled Worker visas
• Any other temporary or time-limited visa

Fostering requires permanent residency status in the UK.

If you do not meet all of the above criteria, please do not apply, as your application will not be progressed

Is it time to use your skills differently?

Whether you’ve worked as a Child Development Practitioner—supporting children’s growth, learning, and emotional wellbeing—you could change a child’s life in ways you never imagined.
Right now, there’s an urgent need for foster carers in Plymouth, especially for young people transitioning out of residential care. Through our Step Forward programme, you can provide the safety, consistency, and emotional support these children need to heal, grow and thrive.

This role is about more than providing a roof over a child’s head; it’s about offering them the stability, love, and security they need to rebuild their lives. It’s a full-circle role that blends professional care with personal commitment, right in your own home.

Why Consider Step Forward Fostering?

This specialist role is designed for experienced professionals who are ready to make a deeper impact. You’ll work as part of a close-knit, fully supported team, helping a young person move forward from trauma into stability and trust.
This isn’t just a job, it’s a chance to change lives, including your own.

What You’ll Receive as a Step Forward Foster Carer:

From £840 p/week (when a child is placed)
Extra allowances for birthdays, holidays, and celebrations
100% Council Tax exemption (eligibility criteria applies)
Up to 28-nights of paid respite p/year
Bespoke training in trauma-informed and therapeutic care
24/7 out-of-hours support and a dedicated social work team
Access to Mockingbird Fostering Model and The Fostering Network
Be part of a local community, helping Plymouth’s children stay close to home

Could this be you?

• Based in Plymouth or surrounding areas
• Ready to offer full-time care and a dedicated bedroom
• Skilled in supporting children with emotional or behavioural needs
• Emotionally resilient and reflective
• Willing to become self-employed
• Ideally with no children under 12 at home (though we’ll assess on a case-by-case basis)

Is it time for a change?

If you’re ready to apply your child development experience in a new and deeply rewarding way, then this is your opportunity.

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