Become a Step Forward Foster Carer – A Life-Changing Opportunity for Nursery Practitioners and Managers Foster with TACT Fostering and Bury Council Are you a nursery practitioner, nursery manager, or early years professional? You already have the dedication, patience, and nurturing spirit needed to make a life-changing difference in a young person’s life. We are looking for caring, experienced individuals like you to become Step Forward Foster Carers — offering a safe, supportive home to a young person transitioning from residential care. This is a unique opportunity to take the skills you’ve developed in early years settings and use them to provide stability and hope on a more personal level. This could be your most rewarding role yet — offering not just care, but a brighter future. What is Step Forward Fostering? Step Forward Fostering is a pioneering project that helps young people who have faced trauma, loss, and instability to move from residential care into a nurturing family environment. These young people aren’t just looking for a place to stay — they need someone like you: a compassionate adult who understands their needs, offers guidance, and provides the consistency they’ve often missed. As a Step Forward Foster Carer, you’ll be part of a supportive community, working alongside professionals who are there to help you every step of the way. What You’ll Receive: We understand that caring for a young person with complex needs is a significant commitment. That’s why we provide comprehensive support — both emotionally and financially. Specialist Support: Your own Senior Practitioner offering regular guidance and supervision A Family Wellbeing Worker to support you and your foster child A Hub Carer providing up to 28 days of planned short breaks every year 24/7 Out-of-Hours Support, ensuring you’re never alone Access to a network of other Step Forward Carers for peer support Ongoing training in trauma-informed care and understanding neurodevelopmental needs Therapeutic and psychological support to strengthen your existing care skills Financial Package: We recognise the commitment it takes to support a young person with complex needs and offer a generous financial package to help you focus fully on providing stability and care. £1,052 per week while you have a child placed with you (around £54,704 a year) £408 per week retainer between placements (up to £21,216 a year) Extra allowances for birthdays, holidays, and cultural celebrations Tax exemptions specifically designed for foster carers Is This You? We are looking for nursery practitioners and managers who are: Passionate about making a difference beyond the nursery environment Skilled in building positive, trusting relationships with children and young people Resilient, empathetic, and committed to providing stability Ready to transfer their professional skills to a family-based setting If this sounds like you, we would love to hear from you! Please note: Ideally, applicants should not have children under 16 living at home, but we consider each family situation individually. To Be Eligible, You’ll Need: Experience working with children, young people, or families Full-time availability and a spare bedroom A willingness to complete our professional training The right to work in the UK