Could You Be a Focus Foster Carer?
Join Our Vibrant Service as a Focus Foster Carer
£39,104 – £42,848 per year
(made up of £540 per week skills payment + £212–£284 weekly allowances, tax-free)
Do you have a spare room, live in Salford (Greater Manchester or within a commutable distance) are you aged 21 or over, and do you want to use your professional experience in a different but truly life-changing way?
We’re looking for people with the heart, resilience, and skills to make a real difference as a Focus Foster Carer.
What is Focus Fostering?
Focus Fostering is a specialist form of fostering for children aged 5–18 who need solo placements, living within your home. These young people often have complex needs and may have experienced several moves before.
It can be challenging — but it’s also one of the most rewarding roles you’ll ever do. You’ll be giving a child not just a home, but the chance to heal, stabilise, and thrive.
What Skills Do You Need?
If you’ve worked in:
* Residential care, education, SEN, social work, CAMHS, counselling, youth work, or with children with disabilities — you may already have the transferable skills we’re looking for.
We value people who can offer:
✔ Emotional resilience and calm under pressure
✔ Experience managing challenging behaviour
✔ A trauma-informed or attachment-aware approach
✔ Support for children with SEN or mental health needs
✔ Patience, empathy, and consistency
✔ Strong communication and teamwork
What Support Will You Get?
You’ll never do this alone. As a Focus Foster Carer, you’ll receive:
* 24/7 support with a dedicated on-call service
* Fortnightly visits as a minimum from your own social worker
* Full training and preparation programme
* Peer support groups and a strong network of carers
* Regular family fun days and community events
* Support and skills sessions including therapeutic parenting training
Plus:
Fostering Network membership
Blue Light Card
Company Shop membership
Why Join Us?
This is fostering with purpose — where your professional experience and personal commitment can transform a young person’s future.
Whether you’re moving on from shift work in residential care, looking for a new path after social work, or wanting to use your skills from teaching or counselling in a fresh way, fostering could be the next step for you.
This is more than fostering — it’s a professional role with real rewards.
Interested?
To find out more or express your interest.
To Apply
If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for Salford City Council (Fostering), please click apply to be redirected to our website to complete your application