Foster carers living within or close to the Surrey borders are needed by Surrey Local Authority to provide a structured and nurturing home for some of Surrey's most traumatised and vulnerable young people. If you have relevant experience in working with looked after children or transferable skills that you feel will give you the insight and resilience needed, then this may be for you.
You will need a spare room in your family home and be prepared for one young person to live with you and your family on an ongoing basis. The young people are more likely to be teenagers but could be younger, and be presenting significantly distressed and challenging behaviours; as such, we ask that you apply only if all other household members are aged 16 years and over.
As an enhanced foster carer you will receive intensive individual support from the social workers and support workers within the team, in addition to access to partner agencies that may be involved in the team around the child.
The high level of support that the young person requires is reflected in the generous allowance. Successful applicants cannot have any other employment, as carers will be required to offer support (at times during irregular hours) and attend meetings on an ongoing basis. Weekly payments of £500 start once the applicant's approval as a foster carer has been ratified. Once a child/young person is placed, the weekly allowance of £246.19 for children aged over 10, or £162.82 for children under 10, is paid in addition to this. Foster carers continue to receive £500 a week if there are breaks between a child/young person being placed. You will receive an additional £492.38 per year for birthday and annual religious festival celebration. There are specific tax allowances for foster carers: £23,000 is non-taxable and the remaining £16,294.26 may be taxable dependent on individual circumstances. Applicants are advised to discuss their financial situation with a financial advisor.
Applicants will be required to go through a thorough assessment process whereby an experienced social worker will discuss with you, over a 6-month period, your suitability to being an enhanced foster carer. This will take the form of regular visits to your home and require you and your partner (if applicable) to attend a training course consisting of six evenings and one Saturday. Applicants will then attend a panel with their social worker who will recommend whether or not they are deemed suitable to be foster carers.
If you think you may be interested please contact the fostering team:
Tel: 0800 096 9626
Email: fostering.recruitment@surreycc.gov.uk
Fax: 01932 794 440
Post:
Fostering Team
Runnymede Centre
Chertsey Road
Addlestone
Surrey KT15 2EP
