Derby City Council’s new Fostering Plus scheme offers fostering as a self-employed career.

Fostering Plus is a scheme for young people moving from residential care into foster family life. These young people 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 likely have experienced multiple fostering placement moves and will be learning to manage difficult behaviours due to traumatic life events.

Those who are interested in becoming a Fostering Plus carer should have experience in caring or working with young people from a range of areas such as an Education or Caring sectors like 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 to support the foster child. This is a full time, self-employed role earning up to 40k a year.

Carers who are successful, 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.

To reflect the skill and time needed Derby City Council will offer:

  • A generous financial package of up to £500 a week, plus child/fostering allowances dependent on a child’s age. Income 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 John Whitby, Cabinet Member for Children’s Social Care, Learning and Skills, said:

We have hundreds of children in Derby alone that need a foster carer. We offer a large variety of fostering options to help fit people’s lifestyle. Fostering Plus is the latest option for people to consider when thinking about fostering.

If you choose to become a Fostering Plus carer, you would be helping vulnerable children and young people in your local community with a career move that literally changes lives. I would encourage anyone that is interested to get in touch with our fostering team to learn more.”

If you would like to talk about whether this could be the right next step for you, please email claire.lunn@derby.gov.uk or andrew.hore@derby.gov.uk or call 01332 643863.

You can also learn more about our different types of fostering on our webpage or come along to our free fostering information event on Tuesday 12 September 2023 from 6pm – 8pm in the Alice Wheeldon room at the Council House.