Support Foster Carer
Location: Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire
Salary: Sessional payments to be discussed as part of the enquiry/assessment process.
The Vacancy
Break has been working across East Anglia for over 50 years supporting young people living in and moving on from care.
As a Break Support Foster Carer, you will play a key role in supporting one of our foster families by providing short breaks for the child in their care. Children are usually aged between 2-16 years old and, following a careful matching process, would stay with you at a frequency agreed between you, the full-time carers and the child. Typically, this might be a weekend a month, but the time you have to offer will be considered and we can find a match to suit you.
Support carers are financially reimbursed for their time. This is a paid role on a sessional basis. Financial renumeration would be discussed as part of the assessment process.
You will need a spare bedroom in your home and the right to live in the UK. You will receive a full package of training to prepare you for the role, and wellbeing support from a dedicated social worker and our small, family feel team.
Families are based across Norfolk, Cambridge and Suffolk and this part-time role is ideal for those who are unable to commit to full-time fostering.
The children in our care are unable to live with their family due to no fault of their own, therefore it’s vital we find them stable, families where they can thrive.
The benefits of being part of the fostering team at Break:
* Competitive financial renumeration, on a sessional basis, as well as for training. (see the ‘Salary and benefits’ section below) .
* Our small team means you'll get to know all of our social workers and other foster families easily so you'll always feel you have someone to turn to for advice.
* Access to bespoke training to support you in your role.
* Our social workers support a small number of families each so they can give you and the child the support you need.
* You’ll be able to access a support group alongside fellow foster carers at Break and activity days for all.
* You’ll receive one-to-one support and regular supervisions.
* A ‘buddy’ system for new foster carers to help you settle into the team.
* Access to our therapeutic parenting practitioner to help you create a safe environment where the child can allow themselves to trust again and thrive.
* As a no-profit service, we reinvest consistently in the services we provide our young people, foster carers and team members.
* Involvement in the Service Development Group sitting alongside Break’s senior leadership, and the Break fostering team.
* If you have your own children, they can access a support group led by our team.
* Break have a variety of services that wrap around our foster families and children, including our Stay Close, Stay Connected service and Opportunities service for young people after leaving care.
The role
On a practical level being a support carer is likened to being an aunt or a grandparent; you’ll be supporting a foster family to have some much-needed respite, whilst also working with them to ensure the best outcomes for the child both physically and emotionally. Together you will arrange days you are able to care for the child which is usually one weekend a month.
Children in care have usually been through trauma and/or abuse of some kind and therefore you will also use the techniques from Break’s training and therapeutic parenting practitioner to guide you.
You will work with the foster family and various professionals such as the child’s social worker, school and medical professionals to give the very best care together.
You will uphold the National Fostering Standards at all times.
Children need long-term stability at a Break we are proud of our lifelong offer, which provides children with the opportunity to enjoy enduring relationships which feel safe. Even if you are not able to offer support care long term, or you don't know what the future holds for you, we will support you to maintain a relationships with the child you have cared for so they know that they are valued by you and held in mind always.
Heather, a Break support worker shares her experience here:
Application process
After applying for this rewarding role, a member of the team will contact you to discuss your interest further. We will provide you with information about the assessment process, your current circumstances and your motivation to foster.
The decision to move forward with the assessment process is made mutually between you and the team, you can decide not to proceed at any time, with no judgement or prejudice.
If you would like to proceed and the team feel you are suitable, a full fostering assessment will take place along with an enhanced DBS (criminal records check) and references.
To learn more about the stages of the fostering assessment and timeline take a look here Fostering Norfolk - Break (break-charity.org)
Following approval as a support foster carer, we will carefully match you with a family and continue to support you throughout your fostering journey.
Personal qualities
* Empathy and understanding
* A wish to provide a healing, safe and nurtured childhood
* Flexible to the changing needs for the child and team around them
* Non-judgemental
* A growth mindset for continuous professional development
* Patience
* A wish to empower each child to make the best choices for themselves
* A desire to care for each child according to their individual needs
* Experience supporting young people is desirable.
* You can be a couple, single, homeowner, renter, gay, straight, disabled, have children or not. What really matters is that you have a spare room and the ability to give a child the time, energy, love and stability they need.
* You will be at least 21 years old. There is no upper age limit.
Salary and benefits
You will receive a fostering allowance of £94/day in this self-employed role.
Ongoing training.
Membership to the Fostering Network
COMMITMENT TO EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY
It is important to us that everyone can access the sessions equally. If you need extra support or have accessibility needs to attend the session please email to discuss this.
This job is also known as: Support, Care, Children, Care Worker, Care Assistant, Children Support Worker, Youth Worker, Fostering