Derby City Council is looking for people who want to make providing a better life for young people into a career. The authority has launched a specialist foster caring scheme, called Fostering PLUS, which supports young people moving from residential care into foster family life.

If you are looking for a rewarding career change and have the time, understanding and experience to support a young person in need of stability, care and guidance, becoming a specialist foster carer could be for you. Becoming a Fostering PLUS carer is a full-time, self-employed role paid up to £40,000 a year.

The young people within the scheme are likely to have complex needs requiring a higher level of care and support to make a real difference to their lives and future. They will have experienced multiple placement moves and may have been through traumatic life events.

To join our Fostering PLUS scheme, you will have experience in caring or working with young people in sectors such as education or care, for example residential, school settings or nursing. You, or somebody in your household, will need to be available as a full-time carer, be able to drive and have access to a car, be home-based, have a spare bedroom and be motivated to work with a team of professionals.

As one of our carers, you will be matched with a young person following a careful assessment process to ensure the young person is a good match for your family or circumstances. Generally, the young person will need to be the youngest or only child in the household.

We pride ourselves on the outstanding support we provide, ensuring you are fully prepared to fulfil your role. To reflect the skill and time involved, Derby City Council will offer:

  • A generous financial package of £500 a week plus child/fostering allowances dependent on the child’s age – income will be up to £40,000 a year
  • 28 days paid respite
  • A package of therapeutic support individually tailored to meet the needs of the child and carers
  • An experienced supervising social worker as part of the network of support
  • Out-of-hours support at evenings and weekends
  • Training and support groups for carers, focusing on understanding attachment and therapeutic parenting strategies.

Councillor Evonne Williams, Derby City Council Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Skills, said:

Becoming a specialist foster carer with Fostering PLUS is an opportunity to forge a rewarding and fulfilling career supporting young people who have had a difficult start in life. The role will require experience, understanding and dedication, but our Fostering Team will provide all the support you need.

You could make a real difference to a young person’s life and help them move towards a better future.

Judy Levitt, Deputy Head of the Council’s Fostering Service, said:

We are excited to be launching this new scheme. We would love to talk to you if you think you may have relevant life or professional skills to undertake this role. You will be well supported and placements of children will be carefully matched and planned to ensure we have the right family for the young person’s needs.

We’re holding an event at the Council House on 18 January so anyone who’s interested in joining our Fostering PLUS scheme can have a chat with our Fostering Team. We can provide all the information and advice you need to start your fostering journey.

If you are interested in finding out more about Fostering PLUS, the information event will take place at the Council House on Wednesday 18 January 2023 from 5.30pm until 7.30pm. If you would like attend, book online and we will email confirmation and directions to the Council House.

If you can’t attend the event but would like an informal discussion about whether Fostering PLUS could right for you, please email claire.lunn@derby.gov.uk or andrew.hore@derby.gov.uk or contact Claire on 01332 643863.

You can find more information about the different types of fostering on the Derby City Council website.