Foster Carer

Overview

Foster Carer role at Surrey County Council. Foster carers provide a warm, loving family environment where a child’s emotional needs are supported. This role involves the same core tasks as parenting, such as transporting children to and from school, attending meetings, supporting contact with family members, visiting friends, and advocating for the child. There are over 900 children in care in Surrey who may need homes with foster carers.

Responsibilities

• Provide a stable, safe, and nurturing family life for a child in care.
• Support a child’s emotional and developmental needs.
• Take children to and from school and attend meetings and appointments.
• Support contact with family members and advocate for the child’s best interests.
• Develop trusting relationships with children and manage challenging behaviours as needed.

Benefits and Support

• An experienced foster carer buddy
• A bespoke training package
• One-to-one support from your supervising social worker
• Opportunities to build support networks with other foster carers
• Generous allowances paid for each child in your care
• 24-hour emergency support
• Fostering Network membership
• National Association of Therapeutic Parents (NATP) membership
• Regular social events and support groups
• Participation in the Mockingbird Family Model
• Opportunities to gain accredited qualifications

Requirements and Qualifications

• Understandings and resilience; able to develop trusting relationships with children
• Be prepared that some children may display challenging behaviours as a result of their life experiences
• Experience in caring for children (not necessarily in a formal setting)
• You do not need to own your own home or be in a relationship to foster; you may continue to work in some cases

Salary and Location

• Salary: Earn up to £420+ per week plus additional tax benefits
• Location: Home based, Countywide

How to Apply

If you are interested in finding out more about becoming a foster carer, visit the Surrey County Council website or call our friendly team at 0800 096 9626.