Could you become a therapeutic foster carer and help some of Buckinghamshire’s most vulnerable children
Buckinghamshire Council is launching a new campaign to recruit foster carers who can support children with the most complex needs.
The new recruitment drive is part of the council’s ongoing mission to ensure every child in care receives high-quality, stable and local care.
The campaign will focus on recruiting foster carers who can provide specialist support and a welcoming home for children with significant behavioural, emotional or additional needs.
Children who require a specialist placement with a therapeutic foster carer might include those ready to move out of residential homes and children who would benefit more from a therapeutic family home environment.
While the council continues to open more of its own children’s homes to help children in care stay closer to their communities, residential care is not always the right environment for a child.
Children may be considered for therapeutic foster care if they have:
- experienced significant trauma
- been subjected to abuse or exploitation
- been involved in, or diverted from, the youth justice system
- previously been sectioned or detained under the Mental Health Act
- struggled to maintain stability in residential homes or standard fostering placements
To recognise the commitment involved, foster carers who support specialist placements will receive enhanced training, tailored support and improved allowances of between £48,500 and £56,000 per year, dependent on the age of the child or young person. These foster carers will also be eligible for the existing foster carer perks and benefits package which includes full council tax refunds, free parking in council car parks, and free access to council leisure facilities, and Platinum annual passes to Merlin attractions.
Carl Jackson, Buckinghamshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Education & Children’s Services, said:
“We want every child to grow up in a safe, nurturing environment which meets their needs.
‘By recruiting and training new foster carers to support our children who need specialist placements and by continuing to support the amazing people who are already part of our foster carer community, we will find children in care the right homes, and carers with the right expertise, close to their communities.”
Buckinghamshire Council is now inviting people with experience in public services, healthcare, education, special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), emergency response, youth or criminal justice, or similar fields, to consider becoming therapeutic foster carers. Many people in these roles have the transferable skills required to support children with complex needs.
To learn more or express your interest in becoming a therapeutic foster carer.