Foster Carer

THE ROLE: 

Leeds City Council are looking to recruit people and families to become foster carers for children and young people between the ages of 0-18. In Leeds, we have a particular need for carers to care for large sibling groups, children with disabilities and young people aged 11 – 18 years old.

We welcome enquiries from people of all religions, races, genders and sexuality. Our foster carers reflect a wide range of circumstances and life experience – for example, you may be married, single, in a relationship, divorced, widowed, employed or unemployed – we assess every application on an individual basis. The only thing we ask is that you have the willingness and enthusiasm to change a child’s life for the better.

We recruit suitable candidates from within a 20-mile radius of the city. Previous experience of working with children in any setting is advantageous but not essential.

You must have at least one spare bedroom at the time of your application and have the time to meet the emotional and physical needs of a child or young person.

Foster carers will be assessed, and once approved will be paid an allowance and fee up to the value of £22,180 per annum per young person (largely income tax free), provided with their own Social Worker, support groups and training.

THE TYPES OF FOSTERING:

Mainstream Foster Care: Children and siblings between the ages of 5-18 who require a safe and stable home life. This could be for a short term (a few days to a maximum of 2 years) or long term basis (till independence).

Children with Disabilities: Children with additional needs/disabilities between the ages of 0-18 who require a safe and stable home life. This could be for a short term (a few days to a maximum of 2 years) or long term basis (till independence).

Short Breaks for Children with Disabilities: This gives children with disabilities the chance to have enjoyable experiences outside their family. It also helps develop independence skills and offers the chance to form new friendships. You might care for a child who has nursing or medical needs, including sensory problems or a child with challenging behavioural needs. Short break care can be for a few hours, an overnight stay, a weekend or a full week.

Supported Lodgings: This scheme aims to give young people aged 16 plus good quality accommodation together with security and support that living with a responsible adult can offer.

As a supported lodgings carer, you will be there to help young people learn the skills to live independently. You will need to provide them with a room of their own and access to food but the aim is to teach a young person how they will look after themselves once they leave full time care. We pay you a weekly allowance to cover the expenses of caring for a young person and the time you spend looking after them.

WHAT WE OFFER YOU:

At Leeds City Council, we appreciate the challenges around foster care, but with the right support and dedicated team around you, together we can make an extraordinary difference to the lives of children. That's why we offer the following support to our carers:

·An ‘out of hours’; telephone service staffed by experienced Foster Carers 24/7.

 ·Your own experienced Supervising Social Worker who will be your first point of contact once approved and will conduct regular supervisions. The child has their own social worker.

·A generous fee and a substantial allowance for the child & car mileage

·We have a dedicated Placements Team to match our children with the right fostering families

·You will have access to an experienced Therapeutic Social Work Team.

·A comprehensive training package & professional developmental opportunities

·Between 7-14 days paid holiday allowance

·A community of foster carers who can support and advocate for you, as well as regular opportunities to attend foster carer support sessions.

·A fostering enrichment package including free use of our holiday lodge and free gym & swim membership at council leisure centres.

As well as this, should the child or young person have additional health, educational or social needs, there's support from other specialised areas like education and health. We do all we can to help you care.

For more information and to find out more, please visit our specific fostering website at: www.foster4leeds.co.uk or give us a call on 0113 378 3538.

We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds. Leeds City Council is a Stonewall Top 100 employer, a Mindful employer and a Disability Confident employer.