Why Foster with us?
First Steps Fostering are an independent fostering agency specialising in parent and child foster placements. This specialism allows us to focus on delivering excellent quality, stable placements, whilst also providing support and training that is tailored to the specific needs of the foster carer’s and their role within First Steps.
Benefits to fostering with First Steps:
1. Weekly supervision – you will have weekly supervision sessions as necessary with your fostering Social Worker where we will look at the needs of the parent and child in your care, as well as the needs of your family directly.
2. Frequent phone contact – our carers have contact from their fostering Social Worker by phone or text on a frequent and regular basis. We are always on hand to offer support and guidance.
3. Out of hours support – there is 24 hour telephone support every day of the year. We are always contactable , whatever the time of the day.
4. Birth children support and events – First Steps Fostering appreciate that fostering involves not only the foster carer’s but also their own birth children. As such it is important for us that we provide support to birth children whilst also providing them with an opportunity to engage in activities with other young people whose parents are also in the fostering role.
5. Regular social events including exciting days out, family fun days, festive parties throughout the year
6. Two weeks paid planned breaks – First Steps foster carers will be entitled to 2 weeks paid leave per year.
7. Respite during the day for parent and child at least once per month. This time will enable you as a carer to attend to ‘life admin’ without the responsibility of the parent and child for a period of time.
8.Team meetings – carers will attend monthly team meetings with other carers and staff. This will be your opportunity to come together as a team, contribute to the development of the service and have your say.
9. Comprehensive Preparation and Induction Training – you will receive at least 3 days training before you start to foster, and individual coaching from your assessing worker. In the early days of fostering we will make sure that you have covered all the fostering induction standards set down by government, and that you are fully guided and supported by your supervising Social Worker.
10. Prioritising our parent and child placements – as an agency we only work with parent and child foster carers which allows our agency to offer dedicated and specialist support.
11. A regular programme of training will be in place for each foster carer, with their own individual training development plan.
12. Monthly core training or skills share groups – core fostering skills will be developed through monthly group training or skills share sessions. We cover topics such as: attachment; behaviour support; safeguarding; the impact of abuse; mental health; substance misuse; developmental stages; and independent living skills. Annual refresher training will be available and courses will build on your existing knowledge.
Transfer to us
We know that making the decision to transfer is a big step, but with First Steps Fostering we’ll make sure it’s straightforward and streamlined. Once you’re ready, we’ll take you through the whole process, fast-tracking your assessment – usually within 3 months. After that, you’re ready to start a new and exciting chapter in your fostering career.
First Steps Fostering will work with you, your current agency and Local Authority to make sure everyone is working together and that any parent and child placed with you, are also well supported during the move.
Fostering Allowance
At First Steps Fostering we want to build a community of professional and highly-skilled foster carers who are financially rewarded for their work and skills. This allows them to feel valued and appreciated for the challenging work they do.
First Steps Fostering offer a competitive salary starting at £850 per week.
What do I do next?
If you are considering joining First Steps Fostering, please get in touch with us about more information and the transfer process, we will be happy to help however we can.