What support will I receive
FCA’s approach to foster carer support is based upon the belief that 'everybody is responsible for the child, and for the foster carer.' We therefore introduce a small team of professionals to work closely with and provide support to foster carers and looked after children and young people.
This may come in the form of therapeutic support, educational support, or other forms of general foster carer support and assistance that benefits our foster carers and the looked after children and young people in their care.
We believe that we can continually learn from each other and, by keeping teams small, we can develop strong relationships, build trust, and find imaginative and creative responses to the needs of the children and young people in our care through a wider fostering support network.
Supporting FCA foster carers
We provide the following support services to FCA foster carers
FCA Social Worker - frequent visits and regular telephone contact.
Education Liaison Officer - supporting foster carers in negotiating with schools and promoting the child’s educational needs.
Financial support - excellent packages that value the skills of the foster carer.
Respite - up to 21 nights paid respite per year.
Therapist - available for consultation and specialist training.
Regular support group meetings held at your local/regional FCA office and involves other foster carers to share their experiences and knowledge.
A comprehensive foster carer training programme - including access to NVQ Level 3 Caring for children and young people.
Children & Young Peoples Support Workers (CYPSS) - working with the children and young people, especially if they are not attending school.
Organised activities - for the foster carer, their family and the children they look after.
Membership of FosterTalk - an independent voluntary benefit scheme aimed at the needs of foster carers. The scheme offers 24-hour legal, counselling and medical helplines, legal expense insurance, accountancy and financial advice, a quarterly magazine and preferential pricing arrangements on hundreds of lifestyle products and services.
And don’t forget, whether fostering support is required day or night, help is only a phone call away. With our 24-hour phone helpline, access to a specialist fostering advisor is rapid and accessible at any point of crisis.
Do you know about the process to becoming a foster carer? Or are you ready to Enquire Online?
Content © Foster Care Associates 2010