Foster Carer’s Support Package | Allowance | Support | Emergency help | Training | Activities | More information and support

Foster Carer’s Support Package

It is important for us that our foster carers feel supported in order for them to carry out the crucial task of fostering.

We are proud in Brighton and Hove of the support services that we are able to offer to our carers

Allowance

A generous weekly allowance to cover the costs of caring for a child. These payments do not affect any state benefits you may be receiving. Find out more about the allowance.

Support

Skilled and experienced social work support. Each fostering family has their own social worker who is there to offer help and advice and guide you through fostering your first child. There is also access to a range of other specialist help such as therapeutic and education advice.

We are run a range of different support groups for foster carers. These are a good way to learn from fellow carers and also increase your links with other carers.

Emergency help

There is a 24 hour emergency help line which comes into operation after normal working hours and Christmas and bank holidays so carers never feel they are on their own.

Training

In Brighton and Hove we are able to offer an extensive training programme which helps foster carers enhance their skills and knowledge. There is an expectation that carers attend some specific training within the first 2 years of being approved. We also provide carers with the opportunity to study to gain an NVQ in Fostering.

Activities

Each school holiday the Fostering Service provides an activity programme for children aged 7+ to give carers a break as well as provide fun activities for the children in a supportive environment. We also provide activities for foster carer’s own children giving them the opportunity to mix with other children whose family’s foster.

Throughout the year the Fostering Service holds a number of social events for foster carers and their families to get together such as our annual Summer BBQ and our Christmas Party.

More information and support

We aim to provide our carers with all the necessary information they need to foster. We equip our carers with an invaluable Foster Carer’s Handbook containing a wealth of information about fostering. You also have access to a special part of this website where we keep you updated about changes and forthcoming events.

The Brighton and Hove Foster Care Association aims to provide additional support to foster carers. They organise a number of social events for fostering families and provide a buddy scheme for new carers.

The Fostering Service is strongly committed to working in partnership with carers to promote and develop our fostering services.