What is Fostering?
Who can Foster?
Who needs Foster care?
Why do children need Fostering?
Are there different types of Fostering?
How will Fostering affect my children?
How much will I get paid?
Do I get any holidays?
What training do I get?
Do I have to have a car?
Will Fostering affect my household insurance?
Can I work in addition to being a Foster parent?
Do I have a say in which children I care for?
How many children can I care for at any one time?
How much will I be told about the children and their families?
What information will be kept about me and my family?
What checks will be made to find out if I am suitable?
Who will be my employer?

 

What is Fostering?

Fostering is looking after somebody else's child in your own home whilst their parents or usual carers are unable to look after them. Most children return home within a short time, some need fostering on a part time basis and a few need long term care.

Who can Foster?

By the Bridge is looking for families from diverse backgrounds and cultures, and with a variety of life experiences. We want people who are physically healthy, emotionally mature and with a capacity to understand the young person's position. We need people who are in stable relationships. We need people who have the physical space in their home. Gay couples. Lesbian couples and single people are all considered as potential foster parents by By the Bridge.

Who needs Foster care?

Children and young people aged 0-18 years from different cultures and backgrounds may need foster care at certain times in their lives. Foster Parents are particularly needed for young people aged 12 and over and for brothers and sisters who need to be kept together.

Why do children need Fostering?

There are many different reasons why children need foster care. These include;

• Family crisis, i.e. parent going into hospital.
• Children who have been physically or sexually abused and been removed from their parents care by the courts.
• Relationship difficulties between children and parents.
• Families request their children to be looked after when they are unable to cope themselves.

Are there different types of fostering?

Yes, the most common types are as follows:

• TIME LIMITED - from an overnight stay, up to two years.
• LONG TERM - usually for children aged 12 years and over who do not want to be adopted, but who cannot live with their own families.
• SUPPORTIVE LODGINGS - for young people aged 15 years and over who are helped by foster parents to move on to independent living.
• EMERGENCY - some foster parents work on a duty rota to provide emergency cover for unplanned placement during evening, weekends and holidays.
• MOTHER AND BABY - foster parents provide guidance and support to teenage mothers, before and after the birth of their baby.
• RESPITE - which involves befriending a child, a young person or a family group on a part time basis from a few hours a week to whole weekend, or while their family take a holiday.

How will fostering affect my children?

Becoming a foster family will change your family and the way you do things. This of course affects your own children. If you are a confident and committed parent, and foster parent, the beneficial changes far outweigh any of the negatives. You will be busier than you used to be.   You will meet families with a variety of lifestyles and different values, but the 'change' that concerns most parents whilst they consider becoming foster parents is the worry that their own children might learn 'bad habits'. In our experience (many people at By the Bridge have had years of experience as foster families) it is very rare for children to copy the new foster child's behaviour.

How much will I get paid?

 

As soon as you have completed your training and assessment you will receive £411.63 per week, for each child placed in your home. This payment includes an allowance for food, heat and light, accommodation, pocket money and clothes. The remainder of the payment is for professional services and is taxable.

In addition you will receive £80 for clothing when a child first arrives and after the child has been with you for 3 months you will be paid a furthur £145.50, £112.75(primary) or £225.50 (secondary) school uniform allowance when the child is enrolled in a new school, £100 Festival allowance, and £394.66 holiday allowance (payable on receipt of booking arrangements).

When you are a more experienced foster parent you are designated as a main grade foster parent, and your weekly payment increases to £452.81. After more experience and demonstration of an aptitude to lead you will receive senior grade status and command £493.00 per child per week.  

Do I get any holidays?

If your foster child needs to be looked after in another family while you are away, By the Bridge will pay the 'holiday family' the full fostering payment while the child is with them. You will be paid the professional fee portion of the payment which is your daily rate -£20 per night.

What training do I get?  

Before you can foster a child you must attend a programme of training. If you are married or have a partner, you will both be required to attend this course. This programme is the equivalent of  three full days. These training sessions are spread throughout the three months of your assessment as a foster parent.

Once you are approved as a Foster Parent there is a varied, regular programme of short courses available as well as the option of NVQ3 (Health & Social Care, Children) and a 1year degree course in Therapeutic Fostering.

Do I have to have a car?

No.

It would be very difficult to work effectively as a foster parent if you do not. However, if you live in an area with excellent public transport you may not have to drive. As a foster parent you are expected to make arrangements to take children to and from school, doctor's appointments and meetings with social workers and By the Bridge.

Will fostering affect my household insurance?

When you become a foster parent you must inform your insurance company in writing. This will not usually affect your premiums. If your insurance company wishes to increase the rate, By the Bridge can recommend insurers that do not.

Can I work in addition to being a foster parent?

By the Bridge considers being a foster parent to be a full time job. We therefore require that at least one adult has no other employment. If a child has been in your family for a long period and is settled into a routine, your manager may approve your taking on part-time or voluntary work.   If, however, a new child is placed in your family or the first child becomes unsettled, this approval could be withdrawn.

Do I have a say in which children I care for?

Yes. During your assessment we will discuss with you the gender, age, ethnicity and behaviours of children who would be suitable for your family. By the Bridge would not place a child in your family without your agreement.

How many children can I care for at any one time?

The Children Act 1989 states that 3 foster children is 'maximum occupancy'. By the Bridge requires that foster homes must have a separate bedroom for each child placed. There are exceptions to this rule e.g. same sex siblings may share a bedroom if this is felt appropriate.

In very special circumstances exceptions to the fostering regulations' 'maximum occupancy' limit can be sought from the Local Authority in which you reside.  

How much will I be told about the children and their families?

When there is a vacancy in your family the Referrals Manager will give you a brief description of the young person who has been referred to By the Bridge (excluding their names). You can let the Referrals Manager know if you are interested in looking after the child in your home. At this time you will receive any other information that is available, and introductions to the child's Social Worker and the child will be arranged. If you have serious reservations about accepting a child you must discuss these before introduction, since it would be painful and possibly damaging for the child to be rejected after they have met with you.  

All information that By the Bridge receives relating to a child placed in your family will be shared with you.

What information will be kept about me and my family?

While you are being assessed, detailed descriptions of you and your family will be recorded. At the end of your assessments, you are shown all reports (excluding references) and you have the opportunity to discuss their content. This assessment profile is called an Form F. It is used to help a Social Worker who is intending to place a child with By the Bridge to decide whether your family is a good match for the child.

Records are kept of all meetings, training and supervision. While you are working with By the Bridge, you can have access to your file on request to the Chief Executive.

What checks will be made to find out if I am suitable?

Before you become a foster parent, By the Bridge will make checks with the Police, Local Authority, NSPCC and the two personal referees we will ask you to provide. You will also be required to have a medical examination, this will usually be carried out by your own GP.  

Your approval and suitability as a Foster Parent with By the Bridge is reviewed at least annually.

Who will be my employer?

Foster parents at By the Bridge are self-employed. As self-employed people you are responsible for your own tax, national insurance and financial planning. By The Bridge assesses, supervises and trains families. This training includes advice on all aspects of the work.

When By the Bridge places a child in your family, we are paid in arrears by the placing Local Authority. By The Bridge arranges for your payments to be made on time, whether or not payments have been received from the Local Authority.

If you would like to apply to become a Foster Parent with By the Bridge please click the 'Application Form' button, complete all sections and send to us by clicking the 'Send' button.