Foster Carers

Foster Carer

Payments: variable dependant on circumstances (example below)

Would you be interested in a role with many challenges and great rewards? A role that could change lives for the better? Could you look after a child in your own home?

You will need to have a spare room, patience, warmth, understanding and a willingness to be there for a child who may be going through a difficult time.

Foster carers come from all walks of life, all social backgrounds, all ethnic backgrounds and a range of age groups. Ideally, you need to be at least 21 to be a foster carer, but there is no upper age limit.

Foster carers can be working or non-working. Some already have a family; others don’t have children of their own. Single people and couples can apply.

Although a spare bedroom is needed for every child fostered, carers can live in large detached houses or two-bedroomed flats. They can be homeowners or in rented housing.

Walsall Council values the commitment of our foster carers and offer a range of support including comprehensive training courses as part of your professional development, emotional support, the chance to network and socialise with other carers and a competitive financial package.  We can also offer new foster carers additional support from our ‘Mockingbird Fostering Programme’, which brings together new and experienced foster carers in a supportive group, offering training, social activities and planned sleepover care within the Mockingbird constellation.

The approval process will include a medical, DBS check, training and an assessment.
It is a role that takes courage and hard work at times but it also offers many rewards and importantly helps change children’s lives.

A typical weekly payment to a new foster carer, caring for 2 children is as follows:-
Household Fee: £300.00
Fostering allowance 4 year old £135.00
Fostering allowance 7 year old £150.00
Total per week £585.00

Please note that this is just an example, the amount paid varies according to a number of factors which are reviewed regularly and may change.

For more details contact:
Liz Heywood , Walsall Fostering Service
Telephone 0800 923 3706
Email fosteringinwalsall@walsall.gov.uk
Website www.fosteringinwalsall.co.uk