Why choose Blue Sky Fostering?
You have the drive and commitment to change lives. We’ll provide the practical support to help you achieve that. Foster with us, and receive the following:
Why choose to foster with Blue Sky Fostering
Why choose us?
Ever since our beginnings in 2005, our vision has always been to provide foster carers with quality training, flexible and dedicated support, and that family feel you do not get anywhere else.
We’re here to support you, 24/7, whilst you make a difference to young people who deserve a home.
Fostering with Blue Sky allows you to be valued and recognised for your contribution to supporting children and to foster a small, local, friendly and professional agency dedicated to working alongside you.
Support - We’re here by your side with unrivalled support, available 24/7 throughout the year.
Career - Enjoy a rewarding career whilst changing the futures of local and young people.
Income - You will receive a competitive weekly fostering allowance, tax exemption and tax relief.
Training - Comprehensive, ongoing training to support the challenges and success of fostering.
Community - Attend social events, support groups and fun activities as part of our fostering family.
Holidays - To look after others, you must look after yourself; paid respite helps you recharge.
We also offer...
Full, unrivalled training
We acknowledge this is a demanding role and provide you with an ongoing training and support program based on your knowledge and requirements and the challenges your young person may face. We’ve excellent materials and experienced staff, so you’ll be well prepared to begin a career in fostering with Blue Sky. You’ll also benefit from further training and regular workshops to keep your knowledge up-to-date.
Tax exemption
In addition to your competitive fostering allowance, which covers your professional fee and the cost of caring for your foster child, you’ll also benefit from tax exemption and tax relief. Find out more here: Government Website.
Up to 26 days paid respite per year
To successfully look after others, you need to look after yourself, which is why you’ll receive respite as a foster carer: recharge your batteries and take some ‘me-time.’ Respite allowance varies between 14 days and 26 days depending on your placement type.
Unrivalled support
You will benefit from phone calls and visits from your dedicated social worker as regularly as needed, as well as fortnightly supervision with your social worker, giving you special time to think about your role without interruptions.
24/7 Support
Our out hours of service give you access to a social worker who knows about you and your placement, 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
Family outings
Becoming part of the Blue Sky family will also include social events for all foster carers, children, and colleagues to ensure we stay one family.
Activities and groups
Your family is an integral part of your fostering journey, and we aim to keep them as included and supported as much as our foster carers. Support groups and activities for birth children to ensure they have an opportunity to talk to others in the same situation.
I think fostering is very rewarding, it comes from within. It's like if you win a gold medal! That's how it is to me, that's how I feel to make a difference! Shelley - Blue Sky foster carer
We care for our carers
You will benefit from a number of perks when you decide to foster with Blue Sky Fostering as part of our package.
Fostering allowance calculator
Common Questions
When you become an approved foster carer, you will be allocated a supervising social worker to meet with you once a fortnight to discuss how the child/young person is progressing. You will also be able to speak to a team member seven days a week, 24 hours per day, 365 days a year. In addition, there are support meetings with other foster carers in your area.
After completing your 'Skills to Foster' course and becoming an approved carer, there will be planned learning opportunities available throughout the year, covering topics such as keeping children safe, managing behaviour, developing self-esteem in children and promoting good health.
We have offices across the South of England, so our foster carers always have access to local and friendly staff and support. View all of our offices here.
You will receive advice and information from one of our team members during your initial phone contact. When you are ready, you will be assigned a dedicated assessor who will visit you and assist you throughout the process. A referee, medical, and DBS check will be done, and you will be asked to undergo a 'Skills to Foster' training session. The assessment procedure typically takes 4-6 months.
