Foster Carer

Job Introduction

Foster Carer (Mainstream)

Self-employed, home-based role

Maximum payment: £628.40 per child per week

All foster carers are self-employed, but your fostering approval is held by Foster for Bradford,  Bradford Children and Families Trust’s fostering service. Working with us offers the opportunity to work with some great people who are passionate about delivering change in a city whose culture offers as much diversity as it’s geography. You can make a real difference to families and children and be an active part in delivering the service Bradford families should receive.

We are fully committed to equal opportunities, and we welcome applications from all backgrounds.

About the Role

Foster carers provide a safe, nurturing environment for children and young people unable to live with their birth families, supporting their emotional, educational, and social needs.

You will look after a child / children or young person, depending on your skills and age preferences, in your own home as part of your family. 

You will have access to support from a social worker and on-going training. 

You will need to go through a series of checks – including home checks and police/ local authority checks, along with anyone else over the age of 16 in your home. 

Essential Requirements:

• You must be over 21 years of age
• You must have a spare room available for a foster child. The room should have a window and be big enough to hold a single bed and a chest of draws/ wardrobe 
• British citizenship or leave to remain in the UK

To be successful in this role you will need: 

• The ability to work as part of a team who will be working to support the child 
• Ability to keep records in English 
• Ability to keep going in difficult times 
• A basic understanding of child trauma – training will be provided 

Different types of foster care:

Short term fostering

These are stays of a few nights up to three years, depending on the care plan. The greatest need is care for:

• School Age Children and Teenagers
• Sibling groups to keep brothers and sisters together

Specific help you may provide includes helping teenagers prepare for independence or a return home; parent and child fostering (usually mum and baby) supporting them to develop parenting skills; helping children with any missed schooling and development of routines; encouraging education and participation in activities.

Long term or permanent fostering

Children often need a long-term foster family until they are ready to fly the nest. 

Most children are aged between 7 and 12 years old when they come to stay with their long-term foster family.

Short Breaks (minimum commitment one weekend a month): full and part-time opportunities available

Our short-break care service offers breaks for children including disabled children and their families. Some occur weekly, others monthly and some just in the school holidays. 

Holiday care for foster families – full and part-time opportunities available

Weekend or holiday stays for children and young people but can be required for occasional weekdays. These stays may be planned regular breaks and / or ad-hoc breaks to support foster children and their families. Most foster carers offer this as part of their support to other foster families.

You’ll also be joining an organisation that truly values its people, offering a range of benefits designed to support your wellbeing, growth, and work-life balance, including:

• 28 days annual leave entitlement
• Competitive payment package and progression structure
• 12-week retainer payments for times when you are not looking after children
• Additional financial allowances to cover costs of purchasing essential equipment, including bedroom furniture, safety gates and car seats
• Birthday and holiday payments for the children in your care
• Free contributions to your future state pension (registration needed via the CF411A form)
• Membership with The Fostering Network
• Membership with Bradford Independent Foster Carers Association
• If applicable, membership with New Family Social (national LGBTQ+ support organisation)
• Access to fostering support groups
• Access to Blue Light Card discounts, including cost of living support
• Professional development/support and opportunities 

Bradford Children and Families Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all employees to share this commitment. 

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check including a check against the Children’s barred list, will be carried out on preferred candidates.

To arrange an informal discussion, please contact the fostering recruitment team foster4bradford@bradfordcft.org.uk or phone 01274 434331.