Why foster with Shropshire Council?
We care. For foster children. And foster carers like you.
There are a lot of reasons for choosing to foster through Shropshire Fostering – the county’s biggest family!
Excellent training… a highly competitive salary… support provided locally… and further unique benefits and allowances.
You can earn up to £45k a year per child. You’ll enjoy quick and easy access to experienced local social workers and other council staff. Importantly, the children you’ll care for will also be local. That’s important to us – keeping Shropshire children together in Shropshire.
You can also choose from a range of different types of fostering to match your lifestyle, with no pressure from us. You can lean on a dedicated ‘buddy’ as well as our amazing network of fellow Shropshire foster carers.
If that sounds good, please read on!
| Shropshire Council Fostering | Private Fostering Agency |
|---|---|
| Local Shropshire children placed with you | Children placed from anywhere in the UK |
| Support Team locally based in Shropshire | Support team often national |
| Local Shropshire social workers | Regional social workers i.e. West Midlands |
| We pay you 365 days per year | Payment only when a child is in placement |
| Training delivered locally | Training often delivered nationally |
| All children who are fostered are ‘looked after’ by the local council | Private agencies do not have any children in their care |
| Local Shropshire events such as Christmas Parties | Events often regional such as a West Midlands |
Choice of foster placements
Shropshire Fostering has a range of placements from babies through to teenagers, who need local carers to look after them and keep them close to their friends, family and school.
You’ll always have a choice and you can always say no to a placement but we will be meeting with you regularly and working closely with you to make sure the placements are appropriate. Many private fostering agencies will only be able to offer you limited placements without choice, due to the way the fostering system works.
We work hard to ensure the right child is matched to the right family and gradually build up your confidence, skills and experience.
Support for foster carers from us
We’ll be there with you every step of the way through the recruitment process to advise and answer any questions, no matter how big or small.
We offer extensive support once you’re approved, so someone will always be there to offer you the assistance you need. You’ll also have a dedicated supervising social worker who provides crucial guidance through regular meetings.
If you have children of your own, we’ve got lots of great activities available and support for them too, giving them the chance to make friends with other children of foster carers.
You’ll get free membership to the Fostering Network, which is a specialist support organisation to help foster carers. There is also the Shropshire Foster Carers Association, which offers further local support and lots of recreation activities.
Foster carer Fees and Allowances
You’ll enjoy generous payments and allowances that recognise the time and commitment you give to fostering. One massive difference between us and private agencies is that we will continue to pay you even if you do not have a child placed with you (subject to conditions). A key second difference is that we are a not-for-profit organisation unlike most Private Fostering Agencies.
Everything goes back into looking after the children and you.
Foster carer training
You’ll receive excellent ongoing training to develop your skills and knowledge as a foster carer. Starting with our Skills to Foster preparation course.
All training is local and held at different times and venues to make it as convenient as possible for you. This is another great way of meeting other Shropshire Fostering carers and getting support.
Certain skills training means more money for you too….