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Foster Carers (Durham)

We are looking for caring, patient and resilient people, to care for children and young people that are not able to live with their own families for a period of time. The child will live in your home as part of your family whilst you work as part of a team to support them through a difficult time of their life.

Essential:

• a spare bedroom which can comfortably fit (as a minimum) a single bed, wardrobe, and chest of drawers
• realistically have the time to look after a child/young person
• a genuine interest in caring for young people, as well as respecting and valuing them as individuals
• an ability to show love and care to children who may struggle to accept it
• be able to take children to and from their school, attend any required meetings and regular training sessions
• good standard of spoken English language
• basic IT skills (or willingness to learn)
• be aged at least 21 years old
• applicants must have British Citizenship, Indefinite Leave To Remain, or EU Settled Status. STUDENT or WORK VISAS ARE NOT SUITABLE FOR THIS ROLE

Desirable:

• access to pc/laptop/tablet
• good standard of written English language
• to be at home full time (but if you work part-time or work from home, we can discuss)
• able to drive, or would be willing to learn (but if you are living in a large city with lots of good transport links, we can discuss)

Full training is provided but any previous experience of being a parent, childminder, foster carer, or working with children or vulnerable adults can be beneficial. If you have limited experience don’t rule yourself out, come and talk to us.

Remuneration:

• You do not get a salary as a foster care but a weekly allowance is paid when you have a child or young person living with you. This is to cover the costs of caring for a child e.g. food, clothing, pocket money etc.
• Starting allowance range – £420 to £630 per week
• Additional grants and allowances e.g. festival allowance and child summer holiday grant
• Higher allowances are for children with additional needs such as parent and child placements, children with medical needs, or young offenders. Allowances will also increase with your level of experience.

Other Benefits:

• Initial and regular, ongoing training to support your role as a foster carer
• Your own social worker to support you with fostering
• 24/7 telephone support
• support groups/social meetings for foster carers locally to get to know each other
• activities and days out for children and/or the whole fostering household
• Foster talk membership, which includes useful advice and information on tax and insurance, as well as discounts for fostering households etc.

For more information give us a call on 0345 222 0518 or leave your details via this link https://ukfostering.org.uk/become-a-foster-carer/

Benefits:

• Company events
• Employee discount
• Referral programme
• Store discount
• Work from home

Application question(s):

• This role requires that applicants have British Citizenship, Indefinite Leave To Remain, or EU Settled Status. Do you meet this requirement? STUDENT or WORK VISAS are NOT SUITABLE for this role.
• Please confirm that you have a spare bedroom for a foster child in your home.

Language:

• English (required)

Licence/Certification:

• Driving Licence (preferred)

Work authorisation:

• United Kingdom (required)

Reference ID: Foster Carer