Foster Carers

The Methodist Church in Britain; Normanton on Trent; On-site; GBP 16,000 - 25,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Weekly allowance

Full training

Dedicated supervising social worker

Out of hours support

Local fostering network membership

Job summary

Reading Fostering Service, part of Reading Borough Council, is seeking foster carers to provide a stable home for children who cannot live with their birth families. Carers deliver day-to-day care, emotional support and work with social workers, attending training, meetings and development activities.

Applicants must be at least 21, live within 20 miles of Reading and be willing to undergo assessments and background checks.

Qualifications

• Over 21 years old
• Live within 20 miles of Reading
• Willing to undergo background checks
• Willing to undergo assessment and training
• Spare bedroom for children aged 3 and over
• Own or rent home with written permission if renting
• Safe, stable and nurturing home environment

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day care and emotional support to each child or young person
• Work with social workers and other professionals to meet the child's needs
• Attend training, support groups and development activities
• Keep records and attend meetings about the child's welfare

Job description

Reading Fostering Service, run by Reading Borough Council, recruits foster carers to offer a stable home to children who cannot live with their birth families. Carers provide day-to-day care and emotional support, working alongside social workers and attending training, support groups and meetings about each child's welfare. A spare bedroom is needed for children aged three and over, with babies and children aged 0 to 2 possibly sharing a room after individual assessment, and applicants must live within 20 miles of Reading. Applicants must be over 21 and accept assessment and background checks.

What the job involves

• Provide day-to-day care and emotional support to each child or young person
• Work with social workers and other professionals to meet the child's needs
• Attend training, support groups and development activities
• Keep records and attend meetings about the child's welfare

Checks & eligibility

• Over 21 years old
• Live within 20 miles of Reading
• Willing to undergo background checks

Other

• Willing to undergo assessment and training
• Spare bedroom for children aged 3 and over
• Safe, stable and nurturing home environment
• Own or rent home, with written permission if renting

What’s offered

• Weekly allowance to cover the cost of caring for a child
• Full training, including specialist courses
• Dedicated supervising social worker
• Out of hours support
• Mockingbird Support Hub
• Membership of the Local Authority Fostering South East regional network
• Peer support, connections with local carers, support groups and social events