Support
Support is available to all foster carers, regardless of what service they provide. Each foster carer is allocated their own supervising social worker who is there to support them and advocate on their behalf.
Support can be provided during formal carer supervision which is carried out by the allocated supervising social worker on a regular basis, depending on the carers needs and the complexities of the children they are caring for. This supervision can be weekly, monthly, six weekly or 3 monthly. There is no set pattern, and this is decided on a need's basis.
Phone support can also be provided as little or as often as needed by the carers supervising social worker or the duty worker. This support is available within office hours and during the evenings and weekends via an emergency support line.
Support is also provided to carers when attending meetings and liaising with family and professionals in the team around the child.
There is also support from your fellow Foster Carers. There is an association which has been set up and run independently called the Jersey Foster Carers Association which is to encourage contact and promote welfare between foster carers and their families. To raise funds and to offer support to all foster carers and to raise awareness to matters relating to substitute care.
Financial allowance
All foster carers are provided with an allowance to support the child living in their care. This amount is dependent on the age of the child and is paid on a fortnightly basis.
This covers pocket money, clothing, maintenance and activities for the child. Carers are also supported with an allowance for birthday and Christmas gifts and a holiday allowance to contribute towards the cost of holidays. Financial support is also provided to cover the cost of dental, GP and optician appointments. Carers are also supported to purchase school uniform and equipment needed for the child such as furniture for their bedroom.
Foster carer’s fees
Depending on your skills, experience and the type of placement you can offer, we may also pay a carer’s fee. This fee is in addition to your allowance.
This fee is provided to foster carers who have progressed through different levels on a foster career pathway. Approval at these different levels depends on your:
- assessed core skills
- length of experience as an approved carer
- training you’ve undertaken
Fee structure for fostering a child
Tax information for foster carer payments
Training
All our Foster Carers must take mandatory training that includes first aid, child protection, record keeping and managing allegations. We provide this training as part of a running program. In addition we have a training planner spanning the year that covers a variety of other training opportunities such as CEOPS, caring for traumatised babies, foetal alcohol syndrome, trauma recovery model, understanding children and young peoples mental health.
There are also opportunities for carers to support the team in facilitating our Skills to Foster training course, where they share their experiences, skills and insight with the group.
Development
In terms of carer development there are different levels of payment to reflect the skills and experience carers evidence.
When carers are first approved they start their fostering journey on level 1 and there is the opportunity to move up the levels (1 to 4) as you progress within your role. To progress through levels written evidence is presented to manager for approval.
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