Potential Carers

What is fostering?

Fostering is about providing a home for a child or young person who is unable to remain with their own family for any number of reasons.  There are several different types of fostering which are designed to meet the varying needs of the children concerned.

Long-term fostering

This is where you take on long term responsibility jointly with the Social Services Department, and possibly with parents, for a child who is unable to live with his/her birth family.  She/he is likely to have contact with members of his/her family, so you will need to assist and support this.  The child could be with you until the age of 16 or 18; whenever she/he is ready to live independently.

Short Break or Respite fostering

This is when you look after a child on a regular basis – for example two weekends a month or during holiday periods – so that a relationship is formed with the child and with his/her family.

As a short break carer you may look after a child who is living in a long-term foster home or a child, possibly with disabilities, where parents need a regular break.

Short-term fostering

This is where you care for a child for a period of time – from weeks to months, sometimes up to a year, while plans are being made for their long term future.

They will become part of your family for the time they are with you, but you will always know they will be moving on – maybe back to their parents, maybe to a long term family.

Children coming into short-term care tend to do so in emergency situations so you will need to be able to respond quickly.

Could I be a foster carer?

We welcome foster carers who are couples, single, with or without children, and of all ages, working or unemployed and from all walks of life.

What would fostering do for me?

Fostering can be very challenging and at times you may be stretched to the limits of your patience and endurance but most foster carers find the experience very positive and tremendously satisfying.

What support would I get?

A foster carer becomes part of a team, looking after the best interests of the child or young person. We offer ongoing training and support to carers, your own named social worker and access to a 24-hour telephone support service.

Our fostering allowances are well above the average recommended minimum rate and are reviewed annually.  Short break carers will receive an allowance of £60.00 per 24 hour period for a child with special needs and an allowance of £43.00 per child with less complex needs.  Short and long term carers will receive an allowance of £420.50 per week for a child with special needs and an allowance of £301.00 per week for a child with less complex needs.

Comments from carers

“I would, and regularly do, recommend the agency to others as I believe the service offered is of a high professional standard but is balanced with the genuine feeling of each individual being valued and their experiences recognised.”  Short break foster carer

“Training within the Agency is more than adequate and I am supported by the Agency and its staff with any personal training I undertake outside of the Agency.  It is appropriate to my circumstances and updated when necessary.”  Short break foster carer

“I have been a foster carer with this Agency for nine years and I have enjoyed every minute of it.  The service of St Cuthberts Care is excellent and can’t be faulted in any way.”  Long-term/short break foster carer

“Visits are done monthly and spot visits are also done.  This gives us faith in St Cuthberts and their commitment to the foster carers and children.”  Long-term foster carers

“Our support workers are always there when needed and no faceless wonders.  There are no negatives at all.”  Long-term foster carers

To download a copy of our Information Brochure please click here