Overview
Stoke-on-Trent City Council is recruiting Specialist Pause and Reflect (PAR) Foster Carers to provide vital short-term care for children and young people with complex needs. Pause and Reflect (PAR) placements provide care for up to 28 days while longer-term arrangements are assessed. These young people may be new to care, arriving in emergency situations, or waiting for a suitable longer-term foster home. You'll provide them with calm, compassionate care during a time of intense uncertainty, helping them feel safe, heard, and supported.
What Is Pause and Reflect Care?
Short-term placements (up to 28 days). Often made with little or no notice. Children may be of any age, and often have experienced trauma or instability. Care focuses on stability, therapeutic support, and clear boundaries. You will work closely with a multi-agency team to help assess and plan next steps.
Responsibilities
* Experienced in supporting children or young people, especially those with trauma or high-risk behaviours
* Able to provide full-time care (24/7) including during emergencies
* Over 21, living in the UK with a spare bedroom and a stable home environment
* Emotionally resilient, flexible, and reflective
* Strong communicators who can work as part of a professional team
* Willing to complete ongoing therapeutic training
* Understanding of safeguarding and adolescent risks (e.g. exploitation, mental health, substance misuse)
* Car users essential
About Stoke-on-Trent City Council
Stoke-on-Trent City Council is a unitary authority employing approximately 4,600 staff who deliver 700 services to more than 260,000 residents. Our city comprises six towns: Burslem, Fenton, Hanley, Longton, Stoke and Tunstall. We are committed to innovative approaches to maximise the benefits of transformation and to improve services for residents.
Benefits and Support
* A dedicated key worker and enhanced supervision
* Peer support groups
* 24/7 standby support from our emergency duty team
* Coordination with multi-agency professionals
* Competitive professional fostering fee (up to 52 weeks per year)
* Age-related maintenance allowance
* Paid 14-day break after every 56 days of active PAR care
* Celebration allowances (e.g. birthdays, Christmas)
* Initial setup and clothing allowance
* Mileage allowance
Interested?
If you're compassionate, resilient, and want to make a real difference in a young person's life, we want to hear from you. When you work for Stoke-on-Trent City Council you'll be helping to improve the lives and wellbeing of our residents. We'll provide you with support, learning opportunities and flexible working options and some amazing benefits including a competitive salary, generous holidays, an excellent defined local authority benefit pension scheme, annual leave purchase scheme, cycle to work schemes, and access to lifestyle discounts. We are committed to vibrancy and diversity and to creating an inclusive culture where all staff are valued and supported.
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