Children and young people who need fostering come from various backgrounds and whatever their age are likely to be worried, anxious, scared or even angry. They are all ages from babies through to teenagers.

Do you have what it takes to work with our children?

We need foster carers from all different backgrounds; couples, whether married or living together, with or without children, single people and divorced people. We prefer to place children with foster carers who reflect the background of our children so we need carers from all cultures and religions.

It is often easier if you have some experience of caring for or working with children outside of your home but more important is your enthusiasm and commitment to helping children and young people. Fostering is a full time commitment and our experience tells us that you will find it impossible to maintain a job at the same time you foster.

What we need from you

• At least one spare bedroom for the exclusive use of a foster child. Siblings placed can share a bedroom. As long as one bedroom is available it does not matter whether your home is a house or flat, owned or rented.
• A good sense of humour.
• To be prepared to foster children from a wide age range, 0 – 18 years.
• To work in partnership with the child's birth parents and other professionals working with the child.
• To be realistic. The child may take time to respond to the care you offer.
• To be non-judgemental, to remain calm under pressure.
• To be available in the daytime if the child needs you and to be available for daytime meetings, training opportunities, and to care for a child/young person who may not , at times, be attending school.
• To care and support the child as you would your own birth children, encouraging their interests and supporting them to develop key milestones in their life.

The most important thing is that you should enjoy working with children and young people have a desire to help them reach their potential.

Take the first step and talk to us informally about whether fostering is the right choice for you.

For more information, contact the recruitment team on 0845 607 6697 or complete an online enquiry form by clicking here.