Foster Carer - Childminder

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

Benefits offered by this job

From £840 p/week

100% Council Tax exemption

Up to 28-nights paid respite

Trauma-informed training

24/7 out-of-hours support

Mockingbird Fostering Model

Be part of local community

Job summary

Sanctuary Personnel, in partnership with Plymouth City Council, is seeking Step Forward Foster Carers in Plymouth and surrounding areas. The role offers fostering in your own home with a dedicated bedroom and full support from a social work team, with wages starting from £840 per week when a child is placed.

Benefits include 100% Council Tax exemption (eligibility criteria), up to 28 nights of paid respite per year, bespoke trauma-informed training, and access to the Mockingbird Fostering Model.

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
• Visa status restrictions apply: EU Settled or Pre-Settled Status, Graduate visas, Skilled Worker visas, Student visas, Health & Care Worker visas, Spouse Visa may not be eligible

Responsibilities

• Foster in your own home, providing safety, consistency, and emotional support to children
• Help Plymouth's children stay close to home and support transitions from care
• Work as part of a fully supported team to move a young person from trauma to stability and trust

Job description

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
• Graduate visas
• Skilled Worker visas
• Student visas
• Health & Care Worker visas
• Spouse Visa

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 Childminder-providing care, support, and early learning for children-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?

We're looking for people who are:

• Based in Plymouth or surrounding areas
• Ready to offer full-time care and a dedicated bedroom
• Skilled in supporting children with emotional or behavioural n