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- Tasks: Provide a loving home for children aged 5-18 with complex needs.
- Company: Smiley & Co, Ltd - a caring organisation making a real difference.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 24/7 support, training, and community events.
- Why this job: Transform young lives while using your professional skills in a rewarding way.
- Qualifications: Experience in care, education, or social work; emotional resilience and strong communication skills.
- Other info: Join a supportive network of carers and enjoy regular family fun days.
The predicted salary is between 39104 - 42848 £ per year.
Location: Salford
Salary: £39,104 – £42,848 per annum (made up of £540 per week skills payment + £212–£284 weekly allowances, tax‑free)
Do you have a spare room, are you aged 21 or over, and do you want to use your professional experience in a different but truly life‑changing way? The organisation is looking for people with heart, resilience, and skills to make a real difference as a Focus Foster Carer.
What is Focus Fostering?
Focus Fostering is a specialist form of fostering for children aged 5–18 who need solo placements. These young people often have complex needs and may have experienced several moves before. It can be challenging — but it’s also one of the most rewarding roles you’ll ever do. You’ll be giving a child not just a home, but the chance to heal, stabilise, and thrive.
Skills You Need
- If you’ve worked in Residential care, education, SEN, social work, CAMHS, counselling, youth work, or with children with disabilities, you may already have the transferable skills they’re looking for.
They Value People Who Can Offer
- Emotional resilience and calm under pressure
- Experience managing challenging behaviour
- A trauma‑informed or attachment‑aware approach
- Support for children with SEN or mental health needs
- Patience, empathy, and consistency
- Strong communication and teamwork
What Support Will You Get?
- 24/7 support with a dedicated on‑call service
- Fortnightly visits as a minimum from your own social worker
- Full training and preparation programme
- Peer support groups and a strong network of carers
- Regular family fun days and community events
- Support and skills sessions including therapeutic parenting training
- Plus Fostering Network membership
- Blue Light Card Company Shop membership
Why Join Them?
This is fostering with purpose — where your professional experience and personal commitment can transform a young person’s future. Whether you’re moving on from shift work in residential care, looking for a new path after social work, or wanting to use your skills from teaching or counselling in a fresh way, fostering could be the next step for you. This is more than fostering — it’s a professional role with real rewards.
How to Apply
If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for this reputable organisation, please do not hesitate to apply.
Foster Carer in Salford employer: Smiley & Co, Ltd.
Contact Detail:
Smiley & Co, Ltd. Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Foster Carer in Salford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your contacts in the fostering community or related fields. You never know who might have insider info on openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions and scenarios specific to fostering. Think about how your past experiences can showcase your emotional resilience and ability to manage challenging behaviour.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, let them know why fostering matters to you. Share personal stories or experiences that highlight your commitment to making a difference.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we’re always looking for dedicated individuals who want to make a real impact in children’s lives.
We think you need these skills to ace Foster Carer in Salford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Heart: When writing your application, let your passion for fostering shine through. We want to see your genuine desire to make a difference in a child's life, so share personal stories or experiences that highlight your empathy and resilience.
Highlight Relevant Experience: Make sure to showcase any relevant experience you have, whether it's from residential care, education, or social work. We’re looking for transferable skills, so don’t be shy about detailing how your background prepares you for this rewarding role.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured responses that are easy to read. Use bullet points if necessary to highlight key skills and experiences — it makes it easier for us to see why you’d be a great fit!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about what we do and how we support our foster carers.
How to prepare for a job interview at Smiley & Co, Ltd.
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you understand what Focus Fostering is all about. Familiarise yourself with the specific needs of children aged 5-18 who require solo placements. This will show that you’re genuinely interested and ready to make a difference.
✨Showcase Your Skills
Highlight your relevant experience in residential care, education, or social work. Be prepared to discuss specific examples where you've demonstrated emotional resilience, managed challenging behaviour, or used a trauma-informed approach. This will help the interviewers see how your background aligns with their needs.
✨Be Yourself
Authenticity is key! They’re looking for people with heart and empathy, so don’t be afraid to share your personal motivations for wanting to become a Foster Carer. Let your passion shine through, as this role is all about making a real connection with children.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some questions to ask at the end of the interview. Inquire about the support system they have in place for Foster Carers or how they handle specific challenges. This not only shows your interest but also helps you gauge if this is the right fit for you.
