Respite Foster Carer

Empower Family Group; Taunton; On-site; GBP 10,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

An established independent fostering agency in Taunton is seeking compassionate individuals to become foster carers. This rewarding role involves providing respite care to children, ensuring they have a safe and nurturing environment. The agency offers comprehensive training and support, understanding the unique challenges and rewards of fostering. With a focus on diversity and inclusion, they welcome applications from all backgrounds. If you have the space in your home and heart to make a difference in children's lives, this opportunity could be perfect for you. Join a supportive community dedicated to fostering growth and development for children in need.

Benefits

Comprehensive training

24/7 on-call support

Foster carer buddy system

Support groups and events

Qualifications

• Passion for making a difference in children's lives.
• Ability to provide a loving and stable environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide respite care to children in need.
• Work closely with fostering families and professionals.

Skills

Childcare expertise

Communication skills

Empathy

Flexibility

Education

Training in childcare

Job description

Taunton, United Kingdom | Posted on 18/12/2024

EmpowerFostering is a small Independent Family Run Fostering Agency based in Taunton and operating across the southwest region, covering a catchment area from Bristol to Plymouth.
We have been rated ‘Good’ in our last Ofsted inspection and the level of support to foster carers has been acknowledged. We are committed to providing bespoke packages that enable children to be placed in high quality caring foster homes.

If you have the space in your home and heart, then we urge anyone who is passionate about making a difference to children’s lives to apply or to get in touch with our team for an informal chat.

We are looking for foster carers to offer respite care to children. Respite care could be overnight, a weekend or up to two weeks during school holidays. Respite foster carers provide essential support to fostering families to give both carers and children a well-deserved break.

There are some common misconceptions about respite fostering:

• I am currently working – You could still foster.
• I am currently renting - You could still foster.
• I'm on benefits - You could still foster.
• I'm unemployed - You could still foster.
• I'm disabled - You could still foster.
• I’m single - You could still foster.
• I am in a same sex relationship - You could still foster.
• My children are still at home - You could still foster.
• I am retired - You could still foster.
• I have pets in my home - You could still foster.
• I can’t afford to look after children - You are paid a Weekly allowance of between £400-£700 per week!

We receive hundreds of referrals from Bristol, Somerset, Devon, Torquay, Plymouth, and Cornwall to name but a few. They are all in need of loving and supportive homes for children and young people.

We welcome applications from people of all social, economic, cultural, and religious backgrounds who reflect the different cultures and diversity of young people that come into care.

We need Foster Carers in the Southwest. Could this be you?

Foster carers are very important people; they are fully trained and supported as childcare experts. Foster carers work closely with other professionals to provide high standards of care and be the child's advocate. Could you provide children with the opportunity to grow and develop in a loving, caring, and stable environment where they can explore their interests and achieve their educational and life potential?

Why should you Foster with us?

We are a family-run independent fostering agency, founded by Foster Carers, so we have a unique insight into what Foster Carers experience. We really do understand the rewards and challenges faced by Foster Carers and their families. We provide comprehensive, ongoing training and support, an experienced foster carer buddy to support you as you begin your fostering career, a 24/7 on-call service, a foster carer support group, as well as events and activities for foster children, birth children, and foster carers.