Job Title
Specialist Foster Carer
Fee: £1000 per week plus fostering child age related allowance
Contract: Sessional
Location: Herefordshire
Introduction
Our Specialist Foster Carers make a crucial difference to local children and young people. They provide therapeutic support and intervention to children and young people who have experienced significant trauma abuse, neglect, separation and/or loss.
Responsibilities
* Provide stable, nurturing, and resilient homes for children and young people.
* Offer hands‑on support and guidance, helping those you look after tackle challenges, celebrate successes, and improve their wellbeing.
* Create strong, positive relationships, fostering emotional development and the best possible outcomes for every child.
* Play a key part in maintaining stability, emotional well‑being, and positive outcomes for children in care.
About You
* Able to provide care to children and young people aged between 5 and 18 years.
* Experienced in supporting children who have had a number of challenges in their lives and have experienced abuse, neglect, separation and/or rejection.
* Therapeutic in their approach to those whose experiences mean they may express their traumas through behaviours that may be a challenge including self‑harm and/or challenging behaviour towards themselves and/or others.
* Able to see the potential of children and young people who, once settled, show very different needs and behaviours when they are in safe caring families, to those exhibited when they are feeling unsafe or uncared for.
* Passionate about improving the lives of children and young people, ensuring their safety, wellbeing, and potential are prioritised.
* Skilled at building positive, collaborative relationships with colleagues, foster carers, families and key stakeholders.
* Committed to promoting resilience, emotional wellbeing, and positive outcomes for children in care.
* Confident in managing complex situations and making informed, child‑focused decisions.
* Enthusiastic about contributing to a supportive and professional team environment while investing in ongoing professional development.
We Offer
* Fees: £1000 per week plus an age‑related allowance for the children you support.
* Free membership: to Foster Talk and access to Foster Talk Members 24 hr helpline.
* Additional support: from the Fostering Support Worker through increased visiting and supervision at two or three weekly intervals.
* Wrap‑around support: from the Safe Connections therapeutic service.
* Specialist, focused training and support: will be provided to the foster carer and there will be a range of routine and individual support as outlined above.
Commitments, Covenants and Statutory Obligations
We take our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults seriously and expect all of our staff, visitors and volunteers to share in this commitment.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children & young people and vulnerable adults. If you are offered this position, it will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service enhanced check and further pre‑employment checks.
* Those who indicate that they have a disability. This is part of our commitment to the “Disability Confident” scheme.
* Those who indicate in their application that they are an Armed Forces Veteran or Reservist. This is part of our pledge to support the Armed Forces Covenant.
* Those who indicate in their application that they are a Herefordshire care leaver. This is part of our commitment to supporting young people leaving our care.
Contact for queries: fostering@herefordshire.gov.uk
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