Benefits of fostering with us
Apart from working with children and young people and making a difference, our current carers love our friendly fostering community, great financial rewards and career development opportunities.
With over 1,300 children in care, there is an urgent need for more families to join us.
All the children who need to be fostered are in the care of the local authority and we always prioritise placing children with our own foster carers first before contacting private fostering agencies.
Competitive Fees and Allowances
At Foster for Staffordshire, we want you to feel supported. That's why we provide financial support to all our foster carers for the amazing work they do. There are also additional allowances paid at Christmas or other religious festival, a child's birthday and before the summer holidays.
24/7 Professional and Local Support
The best foster carers are those who feel supported. That's why we provide 24/7 support to all our carers 365 days a year to help you with any issues you may have.
Right from the start, you will be assigned your own dedicated social worker, be introduced to your local support group and be assigned an experienced foster carer as a mentor.
Extensive Training Opportunities and Career Progression
Your training and development starts from the moment we accept your application. You'll be supported through your initial foundations to fostering training to help you become a foster carer, but the learning doesn't stop there.
We offer over 70 training courses with subject areas including Therapeutic Parenting, Attachment, Brain Development and Positive Psychology as well as access to additional on-line courses through AC Education.
After your approval, we'll continue to support you to learn new skills to help you in your role. As you progress as a foster carer, your weekly fees will also rise to recognise your experience and knowledge.
There are lots of different types of fostering to choose from. We'll help you find the right one for you and your family.
Supportive Fostering Community
As a foster carer, you're never alone. Our community of foster carers meet up regularly to make new friends and share useful tips and advice. We run over 16 support groups across Staffordshire that take place in the daytime, evening and some over breakfast too.
When you are approved with Foster for Staffordshire, you are given free membership of The Fostering Network this membership includes discounts on some UK attractions and products and support such as legal expenses cover and a 24/7 helpline service. You can also access free membership of New Family Social who support LGBTQ+ foster carers.
Carers and their foster children can also access additional support and make new friends through the award-winning Mockingbird scheme, which connects foster families together.
Events for You and Your Family
There are lots of other opportunities for our foster carers and their families to get together that take place over the year:-
- Summer BBQ, Christmas Fair and Long Service Awards
- Foster Carer Forum's twice a year for our foster carers
- Children foster too for your birth children during school holidays
- Staffordshire Virtual School run events and activities throughout the year for our children and their families
- Our Voice Project run events and activities for children and care leavers throughout the year
Additional benefits
- Once approved you can benefit from a referral fee of £500 when you refer a friend or family member who is approved as a foster carer.
- access to Vivup, a benefits platform and a one-stop-shop for all of the health and wellbeing support we offer.
- eligible to apply for a Blue Light Card and Discounts for Carers which provides discounts for days out, shopping amongst others.
There are so many benefits to Fostering with us why not take the next step today?
Enquire now
Download our Foster Carers Charter & Fostering Statement of Purpose for more information about Foster for Staffordshire foster carers.