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Can I be a Foster Carer?

Find answers to frequently asked questions about becoming a foster care

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Assessment

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The assessment process takes around six months once you have attended our Skills to Foster pre-approval training. Background checks are made alongside the interview work.

You will then present to the Fostering Panel to be approved carers. This takes place at Shaw House in Newbury.

 

Payment

Carers are self-employed and receive an allowance rather than a wage. 

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These payments depend on the age of the child, or children, placed with you. Carers are not paid if they do not have a placement.

You can read more about allowances on our 'about the fostering service' page.

 

Placement

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You can specify an age range of children you wish to care for. This can be short term, long term, respite, emergency, parent and child or short breaks. This can change at any time during your fostering career to suit your own family and circumstances.

You can find out more about the different types of foster placement, here.

 

Support
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You will be allocated a supervising social worker who will visit monthly and support you at fostering related meetings. You will also receive an annual review, similar to an appraisal, to support your development as a carer.

 

Local carers
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You will be invited to attend the West Berkshire Foster Carers Association monthly meetings to meet with other local carers. 

 

Myth-busting

Foster carers can:

  • be single, married, straight or gay
  • be of any race, religion or faith
  • have older or younger children
  • live in West Berkshire or within a 20-mile radius of Newbury
  • have a house, bungalow or flat

What we expect

We expect our foster carers to:

  • complete their pre-approval training course
  • have a child focused approach
  • attend monthly supervision appointments
  • have empathy
  • use of their fostering allowance reasonably
  • have a reflective attitude to problem solving
  • have warmth and passion
  • support other local carers
  • have a commitment to school transport
  • be inclusive within your family
  • have good use of back up care
  • have good attendance at key meetings


Request our information pack about fostering in West Berkshire
 

About the Fostering Service

Find out about our fostering service and what we offer

Ask About Fostering

Receive our information pack about fostering in West Berkshire

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