Buddies jobs

Do you have experience of working with children, young people, or vulnerable young adults? Could you provide therapeutic care for children and young people with high levels of emotional and relational needs? Are you looking for a new challenge? Do you live in Crewe, Congleton, Alsager, Nantwich or surrounding areas.

Step Forward Fostering could be the next step in your career. This is a skilled professional role that goes beyond standard fostering. Step Forward Foster Carers are recognised as professional partners and supported through enhanced clinical supervision, training and a fostering fee which reflects the level of skill and commitment required.

Sanctuary Personnel has partnered with Cheshire East to recruit Foster Carers (individuals or couples) to provide long-term, stable homes for children and young people transitioning from residential care who have often experienced significant adversity, disrupted attachments and instability in their early lives. These children and young people need a calm predictable home environment with adults who can provide attuned care, offer emotional availability (even during challenge), patience and consistency supported by a strong therapeutic network of multi-agency professional support.

You’ll be someone who either has experience of working with and caring for children, young people or vulnerable young adults who have experienced trauma, adversity and instability in their early lives or has appropriately reflected parenting experience or lived experience.

We welcome people who already have, or are willing to develop through training, assessment and their fostering journey, some of the following skills and qualities:

• Can work in a trauma informed, relational way, responding to behaviour and attachment difficulties through understanding and curiosity, recognising children’s strengths and help them to feel safe and regulated.
• Can offer a stable, nurturing and predictable home environment children can rely upon, remaining emotionally available during periods of distress and challenge.
• Be able to maintain the home for the child or young people long term prioritising continuity of relationships, unconditional support, stability and emotional security over time.
• Is caring, child-centred and committed to championing the needs and aspirations of every child or young person in your care.
• Is enthusiastic about working therapeutically, embracing new approaches to help a child thrive. Important qualities include empathy, patience, emotional resilience, and a commitment to therapeutic, child centered care.
• Has a flexible and adaptable approach to meet the changing needs of children and young people.
• Be willing to care for a child or young person identified by us as suitable for the scheme, subject to matching considerations.
• Are committed to ongoing learning and professional development, undertaking training and development opportunities to enhance your knowledge and skills in supporting children and young people.
• Work effectively with a professional network to include social workers, education professionals, therapists and clinical psychologists, health services and other agencies, contributing positively to multi-agency meetings and planning to support progress, learning and well-being.

Support Package

• Step Forward Foster Carers are recognised as professional partners working closely with the multi-agency network to support stability, recovery and long term progress.
• A dedicated fostering supervising Social Worker to supervise, support and advise.
• Additional support from a Fostering Support Worker during your induction and first year.
• A dedicated team of professionals for the first 16 weeks including Clinical Supervision with a Clinical Consultant or a therapist for Carers.
• Therapeutic training tailored to your experience.
• Out of Hours Emergency Duty Team who can offer advice, support and guidance.
• A dedicated support group for Foster Carers to share experience and support with other Foster Carers.
• A Buddy Scheme with experienced foster carers.
• A full training package which includes face to face and online training as part of your Personal Development Plan.
• Fostering Network paid for membership for advocacy, mediation, training, legal advice.
• Other benefits and discounts such as access to Blue Light Card & FosterTalk.
• Annual events to recognise and support the foster carer role, including family fun days, festival celebrations and long service awards.
• 14 Nights funded respite per year.

Financial Recognition

• In recognition of the nature of the role, the criteria of the carer and level of commitment required, £52,000 per annum (£1,000 per week) will be paid.
• Weekly age-related fostering allowance for the child. *
• Payment for birthday, holiday and religious/cultural celebration. *
• 50% skill-based retainer paid from date of approval until child placed.
• Paid Mileage at 45p per mile for school runs and family time.

*In-line with age related DFE rates and weekly payment increased annually in line with inflation

We welcome enquiries from individuals and/or couples who:

• Are aged 21 or over (with no upper age limit)
• Have the legal Right to Work in the United Kingdom. Student or work vias are not suitable for this role.
• Can provide full-time care for a child or children in their home (at least one carer must be present on a full-time basis if applying as a couple)
• Have a spare bedroom or bedrooms that can be dedicated to fostering
• Have a Full driving licence and access to a suitable vehicle.

Ideally there should be no children under 16 living at home. However, applications are considered individually, and matching will always focus on the needs of the child.

If you have experience supporting children, young people or vulnerable adults and are looking for a rewarding professional fostering role, we'd love to hear from you.

This initiative forms part of regional Foster4 recruitment.

INDFSCHE

Pay: £52,000.00 per year

Application question(s):

• To foster in the UK, applicants must be at least 21 years old. Are you 21 or over?
• What days and times is the best time to call (Monday to Thursday 9 am – 7 pm or Friday 9 am – 4.30pm)?
• Tell us why you are interested in fostering
• Tell us about your experience with children, young people and/or vulnerable adults including relevant parenting that would support you in this role?
• Do you have the right to work in the UK, either as a British Passport holder or with Indefinite Leave to Remain? (This is Mandatory)
• Do you have an unoccupied spare bedroom in your home for fostering? (This is mandatory and can't be negotiated)

Work Location: In person