How we look after our foster carers
Find out more about the wrap-around support our foster carers receive.
How we will look after you
Children and young people are at the heart of our community. They are wrapped in the love, care and dedication of both our team, and our foster carers, who do everything possible to ensure they are supported to thrive.
We are stronger as a community and our team are committed to continually ensuring our foster carers have the support they require.
Here are just some of the ways we look after each other.
Generous allowance
You will receive a weekly payment that consists of 2 parts. A professional fee for yourself and a day today living allowance for the child or young person in your care.
Supervising Social Workers
Every foster carer has their own Supervising Social Worker who will provide one to one advice and support.
Out of hours service
Support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so you’ll never need to cope with difficult situations alone.
Ongoing training
We provide ongoing mandatory training as well as a range of other courses that are tailored to foster carer’s needs.
We are committed to supporting the ongoing learning and development of all our foster carers to help them develop the skills and knowledge they need to feel confident in their role.
Access to Charms
Charms is an easy to use online recording and case management system that enables foster carers to log and access vital information in a safe and secure way.
Our team will support you to use this system.
Fostering Support Team
Our Fostering Support Officers are a group of fun, friendly and highly skilled professionals who work directly with the children and young people in our care.
The team provide after school, weekend and school holiday activities and events for both foster children and the birth children of foster carers.
Social activities and events
Throughout the year we host activities and events such as our annual summer BBQ, Christmas party, fostering community walk and foster carer’s conference.
Buddy scheme
We will match new foster carers with experienced foster carers to ensure their first placements are a positive experience. The scheme has been a huge success with close friendships often established along the way.
Brighton and Hove Foster Care Association (BHFCA)
An independent voluntary group run by foster carers for foster carers.
Wellbeing sessions
The wellbeing of our foster carers is just as important to us as the wellbeing of our children.
Sessions are themed according to different aspects of wellbeing, and they include activities such as pebble painting, jewellery making, crafts, countryside walks and mindfulness/relaxation techniques.
Support groups
We run local face-to-face and online support groups for all types of fostering.
The groups are a great way for foster carers in similar circumstances to come together, support each other and learn from one another.