Foster Carer - Educational Support Officer

Sanctuary Personnel; Plymouth; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Birthday & holiday allowances

Council Tax exemption

Up to 28 nights paid respite

Specialised training and support

Access to fostering networks

Job summary

Sanctuary Personnel, in partnership with Plymouth City Council, is seeking Step Forward Foster Carers in Plymouth and surrounding areas. The role requires hosting a dedicated bedroom and full-time care in your home, with salary from £840 per week when a child is placed.

Based in the UK, applicants must meet age, residency, and visa restrictions; this is a rewarding opportunity to transform a child's life through stability, love, and professional support from a dedicated team.

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 restrictions apply; we are unable to accept applications from certain visa holders.

Responsibilities

• Provide full-time foster care to children in your home.
• Support children's education, wellbeing and emotional development.
• Work with a dedicated social work team to ensure consistent care.

Skills

Experience with children

Right to work in UK

Household hosting capacity

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.

Is it time to use your skills differently?

Whether you've worked as an Educational Support Officer-helping children achieve their educational potential and supporting their learning and 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 bedroo