Specialist Therapeutic Foster Carer - Psychologist

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

Job summary

A fostering agency in the UK is seeking a Specialist Therapeutic Foster Carer for Bedford and surrounding areas. This role offers a competitive salary of £62,000 per year plus allowances, providing full-time care for young people transitioning from residential care. Ideal candidates should have experience supporting children with emotional or psychological needs and a willingness to engage in ongoing professional development. This opportunity allows you to make a meaningful impact in a child's life.

Benefits

£1,000 additional allowances

Up to 28 days respite

Specialist training

24/7 support

Membership of The Fostering Network

Qualifications

• Experience supporting children or young people with emotional, behavioural, or psychological needs.
• Ability to provide full-time care with a dedicated bedroom for fostering.
• Willingness to manage self-employment responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Welcome a young person into your home and provide full-time care.
• Support a young person in transitioning from residential care to a stable home.
• Participate in training and access ongoing professional development.

Skills

Psychological support

Resilience

Nurturing attitude

Learning openness

Job description

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 Psychology 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 Psychologist, supporting children or young people through emotional, behavioural, or mental health challenges, you already have skills that could change a child's future. This role is not about providing a bed. It is about offering consistency, understanding, 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, resilience, and independence.

This role offers you the chance to transform a child's life while experiencing something life‑changing yourself.

What You Will Receive as a Specialist Therapeutic Foster Carer

• £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

Could This Be You?

• Live in Bedford or the surrounding area
• Can offer a dedicated bedroom for fostering a young person
• Have experience supporting children or young people with emotional, behavioural, or psychological needs
• 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.

Is it Time for a Change?

This is your opportunity to use your psychology 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