Foster Carers

See how you can help children through the different types of paid foster care

• Would you like to work with local children and young people?
• Do you have a spare room?
• Looking for a new role that comes with great support and training?

We need people from all different backgrounds, to care for all kinds of children and young people across the county, aged from 0 to 18 years. We work with you to see which foster care scheme is best for you and your household.

Join us and our carers at our next “Is fostering for me?” event either online or face-to-face see www.northumberland.gov.uk/foster for details

The basic fee is payable 52 weeks of the year, and the fostering allowance is payable in addition to the fee when you have a child in placement. Not all agencies pay a retainer style fee - many only pay when you have a child staying with you.

Our foster carers benefit from:

• 24 / 7 support from dedicated teams - including education, health, therapeutic, placement support, stayover breaks
• Generous allowances (plus individual enhancements) paid for each child
• Competitive weekly incomes - paid regardless of placement
• Pre-approval training
• Guidance on scheme options
• An ongoing free training programme including accredited courses
• Extensive support network of foster carers and other professionals
• Family social events
• Discounted and free activities
• Active Northumberland - discounted access to leisure centres
• Foster Talk membership - including support with self-employment, a Cost-of-Living discount scheme and much more
• A family Max Card for great discounts locally and nationally
• Eligibility for a Blue Light Card (Emergency and social care workers' discount scheme)
• Northumberland County Council employees can access our Fostering Friendly benefits
• Job satisfaction from helping local children and young people