Foster Carer - Nursery Practitioner/Nursery Manager

Sanctuary Personnel; England; On-site; GBP 55,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking dedicated nursery practitioners and managers to become Step Forward Foster Carers. This life-changing opportunity allows you to provide a nurturing environment for young people transitioning from residential care. You will receive comprehensive emotional and financial support, including a generous weekly payment and ongoing training. If you are passionate about making a difference and ready to transfer your skills to a family-based setting, this role could be your most rewarding yet. Join a supportive community and help shape brighter futures for young individuals.

Benefits

Comprehensive emotional support

Financial package for foster care

Ongoing training in trauma-informed care

24/7 Out-of-Hours Support

Peer support network

Qualifications

• Experience working with children, young people, or families.
• Full-time availability and a spare bedroom.

Responsibilities

• Provide stability and care for young people transitioning from residential care.
• Utilize skills from early years settings to support children's needs.

Skills

Building positive relationships

Empathy

Resilience

Professional training in child care

Education

Experience working with children

Nursery management experience

Job description

Become a Step Forward Foster Carer: A Life-Changing Opportunity for Nursery Practitioners and Managers

Foster with TACT Fostering and Bury Council

Are you a nursery practitioner, nursery manager, or early years professional? You already possess the dedication, patience, and nurturing spirit needed to make a life-changing difference in a young person’s life.

We are seeking caring, experienced individuals like you to become Step Forward Foster Carers, offering a safe, supportive home to a young person transitioning from residential care. This is a unique opportunity to utilize your skills from early years settings to provide stability and hope on a more personal level.
This could be your most rewarding role yet, offering not just care, but a brighter future.

What is Step Forward Fostering?

Step Forward Fostering is a pioneering project that helps young people who have faced trauma, loss, and instability to transition from residential care into a nurturing family environment.
These young people aren’t just looking for a place to stay—they need someone like you: a compassionate adult who understands their needs, offers guidance, and provides the consistency they’ve often missed.
As a Step Forward Foster Carer, you’ll be part of a supportive community, working alongside professionals who are there to assist you every step of the way.

What You’ll Receive:

We understand that caring for a young person with complex needs is a significant commitment. That’s why we provide comprehensive emotional and financial support.

Specialist Support:

• Your own Senior Practitioner offering regular guidance and supervision
• A Family Wellbeing Worker to support you and your foster child
• A Hub Carer providing up to 28 days of planned short breaks annually
• 24/7 Out-of-Hours Support, ensuring you’re never alone
• Access to a network of other Step Forward Carers for peer support
• Ongoing training in trauma-informed care and neurodevelopmental needs
• Therapeutic and psychological support to enhance your existing care skills

Financial Package:

We recognize the commitment required to support a young person with complex needs and offer a generous financial package to help you focus fully on providing stability and care.

• GBP1,052 per week while you have a child placed with you (approximately GBP54,704 annually)
• GBP408 per week retainer between placements (up to GBP21,216 annually)
• Extra allowances for birthdays, holidays, and cultural celebrations
• Tax exemptions specifically designed for foster carers

Is This You?

We are looking for nursery practitioners and managers who are:

• Passionate about making a difference beyond the nursery environment
• Skilled in building positive, trusting relationships with children and young people
• Resilient, empathetic, and committed to providing stability
• Ready to transfer their professional skills to a family-based setting

If this sounds like you, we would love to hear from you!
Please note: Ideally, applicants should not have children under 16 living at home, but we consider each family situation individually.

To Be Eligible, You’ll Need:

• Experience working with children, young people, or families
• Full-time availability and a spare bedroom
• A willingness to complete our professional training
• The right to work in the UK