A charity based in East Anglia since 1968, Break supports young people in and after leaving the care system through a variety of service.
As a Break Foster Carer, you provide a safe and loving home for a child in care usually aged between 2-16 years old. We are recruiting full-time foster carers across Norfolk, Cambridge and Suffolk. You will need a spare bedroom in your home and the right to live in the UK. Our carers receive a full package of training, wellbeing and self-employed financial support for this vital role, where you will keep the child’s needs and future paramount in your mind.
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 fostering with Break
* A competitive financial package so you can focus on supporting the child in your care (see the ‘Salary and benefits’ section below) .
* Our small team means you'll get to know all our social workers and other foster families easily so you'll always feel you have someone to turn to for advice.
* Break’s unique training programmes and ongoing training and access to the National Association of Therapeutic Parenting resources.
* 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 or young people, foster carers and team members.
* Where required, to be matched with a fostering support carer ,to allow you and the child in your care short breaks, where the child still cared for in a loving, supportive environment.
* 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 lead by our team.
* Break have a variety of services that wrap around our foster families and children, including our Stay Close, Stay Connected and Opportunities service for young people after leaving care.
The role
On a practical level fostering is similar to parenting; you’ll care for the child physically and emotionally, ensuring their developmental needs are met so they have the best chance to thrive.
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 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 therefore this role is long-term, until the child is ready to move on as they become a young adult.
Clive, a Break foster carer and Michael share their fostering experience here Our Foster Family Story / Clive and Michael / Foster With Break in Norfolk, Suffolk or Cambridge (youtube.com)
Application process
After applying for this rewarding role, those who successfully pass this initial screening will be contacting to discuss the fostering application process, your current circumstances and your motivations to foster. 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 foster carer, Break carefully match each foster carer with a child/ren 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 up to £660 per week in this self-employed role.
Ongoing training.
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