In Rochdale fostering is all about making a difference to children and young people ‘Giving Childhood a Chance’. We require foster carers to reflect the rich fabric of our society. Whether you are single, a couple, follow a particular culture or religion, are straight, lesbian, gay, bi-sexual or transgender we want to hear from you as long as you genuinely want to make a difference – you could you be that ‘Chance’ in a child’s life.
We are looking for a range of local foster carers for our children who need a variety of placements such as emergency/short-term and long-term care, aged between 0 – 18 years. Whilst we need carers for children of all ages, we particularly need carers for:
· Sibling groups
· Teenagers
· Specialist carers for children/young people with disabilities
You will need to:
· Have a spare room
· Demonstrate you have the time, space and commitment available to care for a child/young person – offering them a real sense of family belonging.
· Be willing to work with a wide variety of children/young people from a range of diverse backgrounds and experiences.
· Promote contact with birth families.
· Support children to form positive attachments.
· Have aspirations for the children in your care.
· Be willing to work with a variety of professionals.
· Advocate for children.
· Be a sense of fun and have an ability to laugh.
· Celebrate success and achievement.
· Know that there will be many high points and a real sense of achievement, but that there will also be some low points and we will be there to support every step of the way.
In return we offer you:
· The opportunity for carers to work alongside a dedicated fostering team to really focus on giving “Childhood a Chance” in Rochdale
· A Full training programme with opportunity for personal development (inclusive of opportunity to undertake NVQ Level 3)
· A dedicated Supervising Social Worker to support you in the caring role
· 24/7 availability of Social workers (9am – 5pm Office duty/5pm – 9am Emergency Duty)
· Foster carer mentoring scheme, to link you with an experienced carer
· Regular support groups across the borough.
· A wide variety of Birth and Cared4children’s activities/groups
· A Fostering Allowance
· A Max Card which provides a discount into leisure venues and activities
· Membership of Fostering Network, which is National Organisation representing foster carers
· Independent support through Fostertalk.
· Birthday and festival Allowances for the children/young people
· An Annual holiday Allowance for the children/young people
· Individual care planning processes which support the needs of children
· Membership of Rochdale Fostering Connection, the foster carers organisation representing our fostering community
If you are interested in a change of direction in your life and the opportunity to be the difference in a child’s life, please contact us to find out more at:
Email - enquire@fosteringforrochdale.co.uk
Telephone - 0300 303 1000
Website – Rochdale.gov.uk/fostering