Foster Carer - Family Support Worker

Sanctuary Personnel; Crewe; On-site; GBP 44,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Blue Light Card access

FosterTalk access

Respite nights (14-nights per year)

Job summary

Cheshire East Council is seeking Step-Forward Foster Carers to provide full-time care for children or siblings leaving residential care in a nurturing home.

You will help foster stability, routine and emotional development while working closely with social workers and therapists. Clear record-keeping and relationship-based care are required, with Family Time to support family ties.

Qualifications

• Ages 21 or over (no upper age limit).
• Right to work in the United Kingdom.
• Ability to provide full-time care for a child or children in home.
• Spare bedroom(s) available for fostering.
• Experience supporting children or with complex needs is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Provide full-time care for a child or sibling group.
• Foster stability, routine and emotional development.
• Work with social workers, therapists and other professionals.
• Keep clear records and provide therapeutic, relationship-based care.
• Support family relationships through Family Time.

Job description

Title: Step-Forward Foster Carer – Make a Real Difference to a Young Person's Life

Location: Cheshire East

Employer: Cheshire East Council

Salary: £1000 per week per child, plus additional payments for the child (child allowance, holidays, birthday and religious celebrations)

Employment Type: Full-time | Self-employed
Sector: Social Care | Education | Healthcare

What the Role Involves:

• Full-time care for a child or sibling group moving from residential care
• Providing stability, routine, and reassurance within a nurturing home
• Supporting the child’s emotional, behavioural, and social development
• Working closely with social workers, therapists and other professionals
• Keeping clear records and providing therapeutic, relationship-based care

• Helping children maintain family relationships through Family Time

Who Can Apply to Become a Step-Forward Foster Carer?

We welcome enquiries from individuals and/or couples who:

• Are aged 21 or over (with no upper age limit)
• Have the legal Right to Work in the United Kingdom (see definition below)
• Can provide full-time care for a child or children in their home (at least one carer must be present on a full-time basis if applying as a couple)
• Have a spare bedroom or bedrooms that can be dedicated to fostering
• Ideally have experience supporting children, young people, or adults, particularly those with complex needs or challenging behaviours

Do You Have the Right to Work in the United Kingdom?

To foster, you must be allowed to work in the United Kingdom. This includes:

• British or Irish citizens
• People settled or pre-settled under the European Union Settlement Scheme
• Those with certain visas or indefinite leave to remain
• Anyone with the right to live and work in the United Kingdom

Please Note: You will need to show original documents before you can begin your application to foster.

What you can expect as a Step-Forward Foster Carer with Cheshire East Council:

• In recognition of the complexity and level of commitment required, £52,000 per annum (£1,000 per week) will be paid, with a 50% retainer payable pre-placement.
• Weekly age-related fostering allowance for the child*
• Payment for birthday, holiday and religious/cultural celebration*
• 50% skill-based retainer paid from date of approval until child placed

Additionally, you will receive access to:

• Specialist therapeutic training tailored to your experience
• Other benefits and discounts such as access to Blue Light Card & FosterTalk
• 24/7 wraparound support & 14-nights of funded respite each year

  *In-line with age related DFE rates and weekly payment increased annually in line with inflation

  Take the First Step into Step-Forward Fostering with Cheshire East Council

  This is your chance to change a young person’s life and experience the profound reward of knowing you helped them believe in their future.

  This initiative forms part of regional Foster4 recruitment.

  Please Note: Progression is subject to background checks, assessment, and full fostering panel approval.