The Fostering Team at Southampton City Council are looking to recruit more foster carers for young people in and around Southampton.

Southampton City Council fostering service puts young people who need loving, local foster homes at the heart of everything we do. Our focus is keeping young people close to their schools, friends, and birth families.

Our foster carers come from all walks of life, so as long as you…

• Aged 21 or over
• Are interested in fostering
• Have experience caring for children or young people
• Have a spare bedroom

… we’d love to hear from you!

What are our aims?

We want our young people to;

• Be safe wherever they are
• Form positive relationships
• Know their personal strengths and qualities
• Be confident and successful learners

What can you expect to be doing?

As a foster carer, you can expect to be providing day to day care for a young person in your home. Our carers support young people from a range of backgrounds, with varying individual needs. This can include care for young people with additional health needs and disabilities. You will join a team that prioritises a young person’s safety, as well as promoting their learning and development throughout their time in your care.

Our foster carers demonstrate a high standard of care and conduct. You’ll have a range of responsibilities which involve committing to caring for the young person, developing your own skills, working in a team, and providing a safe environment. These can be done by:

• Providing a high standard of daily care for young people
• Developing meaningful, positive, relationships with young people
• Promoting the young person’s identity
• Supporting the young person’s learning and development.
• Using your skills and knowledge
• Attending mandatory training
• Following placement and care plans for young people in your care
• Working with a range of professionals to support the young person.
• Working with birth families and significant people in the young person’s life (where necessary)
• Update the team regularly on the young person’s progress, and any significant events that occur.
• Follow the services policy and procedures.

What do you get?

The best part of being a foster carer is gaining a sense of satisfaction as you see the young people in your care grow and develop over time! Supporting young people to fulfil their potential, grow in confidence and reach achievements is a very rewarding part of the role! A foster carer can give a young person the skills to go on and be safe and happy in life.

Our carers receive a weekly fee, which is made up of two parts: a skill level fee, and an all-inclusive allowance. Depending on your skill level and the age of the young person/people in your care, you could earn up to £650 per week!

Our foster carers receive an extensive support and training package, which includes:

• Training opportunities (both mandatory and voluntary)
• Monthly visits from your fostering social worker
• Support groups
• Out of hours support
• Social events such as the annual awards ceremony, picnics and meet ups.
• A membership to ‘Foster Talk’ who provide independent support and advice.
• Membership to new family social, a LGBTQ+ network for Foster Carers. 

Skill level fees are based on your skills and knowledge. The payment increases as you gain more experience throughout your fostering journey.

The all-inclusive allowance is to meet the usual expenses you have when caring for a young person. This fee is dependent on the age of the young person in your care.

Our carers are able to claim back their travel and milage expenses, and also receive annual payments to contribute to the cost of birthdays, Christmas, and holidays.

The Mockingbird Family Model

Southampton City Council has implemented the Mockingbird Family Model, which is a global award winning and pioneering programme led by The Fostering Network.

The Mockingbird family model delivers sustainable foster care. The evidence-based model is structured around the support and relationships an extended family provides and nurtures these relationships between young people and foster families, supporting them to build a resilient and caring community. 

The constellation community offers vital peer support and guidance alongside social activities, planned and emergency sleepovers, and learning and development opportunities to strengthen relationships and permanence. 

If you’re interested in becoming a foster carer, contact the team below, or visit our website to find out more:

Email: Fostering@southampton.gov.uk

Call us on 0300 131 2797, email info@lafosteringse.org.uk or complete the online form to enquire about fostering.