Foster Carer – Early Years Professional

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 support

Fostering model access

Job summary

Sanctuary Personnel, in partnership with Plymouth City Council, is seeking a Step Forward Foster Carer in Plymouth and surrounding areas. The role is full-time or self-employed, with salary from 840 per week when a child is placed. Candidates must be over 21, have a spare bedroom, and relevant experience with children or vulnerable groups.

Visa and residency rules apply. This is a deeply rewarding, home‑based foster role that requires emotional resilience, commitment, and the ability to work

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

• Provide foster care in Plymouth and surrounding areas.
• Offer safety, stability and emotional support to children in care.
• Collaborate with Plymouth City Council and Sanctuary Personnel to support placements.

Skills

Be 21 years of age or over

Dedicated bedroom in home

Experience supporting children or at‑v

British citizen or ILR

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 | Education | Early Years

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 in nurseries, early years settings, family hubs or as an early years practitioner or educator, your experience 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 skills in a new and deeply rewarding way, then this is your opportunity.