Specialist Therapeutic Foster Carer - Mental Health Nurse

Sanctuary Personnel; Bedford; On-site; GBP 62,000; Full time

Job summary

A local fostering agency in Bedford is looking for a Specialist Therapeutic Foster Carer to provide full-time care and support for children transitioning from residential care. Candidates should have experience in mental health support for children and be ready for a rewarding yet challenging role that offers training and support. The position offers a salary of £62,000 annually plus allowances and requires registration as self-employed.

Benefits

£1,000 for holidays and birthdays

Up to 28 days respite each year

Specialist trauma-informed training

Clinical supervision and 24/7 support

Peer support networks

Qualifications

• Experience providing mental health support, interventions, or therapy for children and young people.
• Ability to offer a dedicated bedroom for fostering a young person.
• Live in Bedford or surrounding area.

Responsibilities

• Provide full-time care to a child in a fostering capacity.
• Support the child's emotional and behavioral needs.
• Participate in a trauma-informed team.

Skills

Mental Health Support

Resilience

Nurturing

Willingness to Learn

Job description

Overview

Ready for a Change? Use Your Skills to Transform a Child's Life

Specialist Therapeutic Foster Carer - Bedford and Surrounding Areas

Location: Bedford and surrounding areas

Salary: £62,000 per year (plus additional allowances)

Employment Type: Full-time | Self-employed

Is it Time to Use Your Mental Health Nursing Skills Differently?

Every child deserves to feel safe, valued, and part of a family. Right now, young people in Bedford Borough are living in residential care and need someone who can help them take the next step into a stable home where they can heal and thrive. If you have experience as a Mental Health Nurse, supporting children or young people with emotional, behavioural, or mental health needs, you already have skills that could change a child\'s future. This role is not about providing a bed. It is about offering consistency, compassion, and the belief that life can get better. As a Specialist Therapeutic Foster Carer, you will welcome a young person into your home and provide full-time care, supported every step of the way by a dedicated local team.

Why Choose Specialist Therapeutic Fostering?

This specialist route is for people who want to make a profound difference. You will work as part of a trauma-informed team, helping children transition out of residential care into a safe family environment where they can build trust, independence, and resilience. This role offers you the chance to transform a child\'s life while experiencing something life-changing yourself.

What You Will Receive

• £62,000 per year plus £1,000 additional allowances for holidays and birthdays
• Up to 28 days respite each year
• Specialist trauma-informed training and ongoing professional development
• Clinical supervision and 24/7 out-of-hours support
• Peer support networks, including access to the Mockingbird Constellation model
• Membership of The Fostering Network
• Be part of a local fostering team that knows and values its carers

Who You Are

• Live in Bedford or the surrounding area
• Can offer a dedicated bedroom for fostering a young person
• Have experience providing mental health support, interventions, or therapy for children and young people
• Are resilient, nurturing, and open to learning
• Can provide full-time care (at least one person at home if applying as a couple)
• Ideally, you will have no children under 12 living at home. Exceptions may apply depending on the child\'s needs.
• Please note - fostering requires you to register as self-employed. You will be responsible for managing your own tax affairs and maintaining the necessary records related to the role.

Ready to Apply

This is your opportunity to use your mental health nursing skills in a way that truly matters. You will make a difference to a child, to your community, and to yourself. Apply now to speak with our team and take the first step toward becoming a Specialist Therapeutic Foster Carer for Bedford Borough.