11 July 2023
The Government of Jersey has launched a new campaign to recruit more full-time intensive foster
carers.
The campaign is designed to encourage more people to become intensive foster carers, with an
annual salary of more than £56,000 a year on offer.
The campaign features social media advertising, digital advertising and face-to-face sessions,
where anyone interested in exploring becoming an intensive foster carer can hear from an
experienced fostering team.
The sessions are taking place on:
• Tuesday 18 July 6pm-8pm, at Communicare, St Brelade
• Wednesday 19 July 1pm-2pm, The Studio, 28-30 The Parade, St Helier
• Thursday 20 July 6pm-8pm, St Clement’s Parish Hall
• Monday 24 July 6pm, virtual event. Sign-up via Eventbrite
Intensive foster carers provide homes for children and young people who need to feel safe and
loved. Working together with their support network and professional team around the child, carers
have time and patience for children and young people and can dedicate quality time to nurture
and support the children, some of whom have high-level complex needs requiring skilled carers.
Islanders seeking to become intensive foster carers will be given additional training and
preparation for the role in order to help create a supportive environment. Intensive fostering is a
full-time commitment and holds an annual salary of up to £56,159 as well as the maintenance,
holiday, birthday and Christmas allowances, which all foster carers are entitled to.
Following a call for intensive foster carers in February 2022, four people came forward. However,
the rising level of need on the Island, and the intention to house more children and young people
in smaller homes, means more care still urgently needed.
Assistant Minister for Children and Education, Connétable Richard Vibert, said: “Thank you to all the
intensive foster carers who came forward last year. You are already making a huge difference to the
lives of our children and young people.
“Intensive fostering is a significant commitment but one which is incredibly rewarding for both the
carer and the child. Children and young people will form long-lasting and trusting relationships
with their carers and feel safe, secure, and able to build and maintain friendships. This will improve
their self-esteem and provide them with the strong foundations they need to make a success of
their future.”
gov.je