Fostering for Wiltshire: an alternative career choice
Foster carers are ordinary people who are approved to look after vulnerable children and young people who are in the care of Wiltshire Council within their own home. To become an approved Wiltshire foster carer the person needs to:
- Be at least 21 years old
- Have a spare bedroom
- Be a full-time resident in the UK or have leave to remain
- Be able to give the physical and emotional time to care for a child or young person on a full or part-time basis
- The main foster carer in the home will also need to drive.
Payments:
- Home Away from Home Carers - £350 per week, per child*
As a Home Away from Home foster carer, you will have support from a fostering social worker and comprehensive training to gain experience and knowledge to provide a trauma-informed approach to children and young people in your care. Foster carers for siblings group at this level are in short supply.
- Home Away from Home Advanced foster carers - £450 per week, per child*
As a Home Away from Home Advanced foster carer, you will be able to evidence additional skills and experience of either fostering or working with children and young people, e.g. teachers, child care workers, or paediatric nurses.
- Home Away from Home Specialist - £650 per week, per child*
As a Home Away from Home Specialist foster carer, you will have the knowledge and skills to support children and young people who have complex needs, with greater support from their social worker and enhanced training opportunities and expectations. At least one carer to remain at home full time.
In addition to the payment structure, there will be an additional £1000 per year, per child for their birthday, a festival and two weeks holiday allowance.
These payments are made for each child, each week they live with the foster carers. However, you will need to be aware that no payments are made if children or young people are not living in your home and your skill level will be assessed and agreed during your fostering assessment.
Read all about our plans to transform Fostering in Wiltshire by investing in training, support and financial guidance for carers!
If you're considering changing your career to become a Foster Carer, watch our Information Session. Simply click the link and press join the event (please note, this is a pre-recorded session, so you will not be able to join the live chat), the session starts at 3 minutes 30 seconds.
Head to the Fostering Wiltshire website to learn more about how you can make a huge difference in the lives of children in Wiltshire. You'll also have access to a handy downloadable brochure!
Why choose to be a Foster Carer?
Maria and Martin - Foster Carers
“Many children in care don’t give feedback in the same way as other children would. They might not make big gestures of gratitude. It is the little moments that count, like a genuine smile that lights up a child’s whole face when you are surprised when a child reaches out and holds your hand or when they snuggle up on the sofa when you are watching TV. The feeling that a child is starting to put their trust in you is so special”.
Selina and Justin - Foster Carers
“The Supervising Social Worker is brilliant. If we contact them, they will come back straight away. If we need support from the Fostering Team we will seek it and everyone, including the managers are supportive. The courses offered are good for the skills needed”
