Fees Information

An overview of career levels for foster carers

The first year of fostering is classed as probation/level one, unless you have prior qualifications/experience and then the first year would be probationary/level 2/3/4. The experience or skills may be that you have fostered before, adopted or had an SGO placement. You may have employment experience in a residential, educational or youth setting or social work setting

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Foster carers with no previous experience of fostering must gain some experience of fostering and demonstrate their skills and competencies before they can be considered for progression.

The probationary period could be extended beyond the first Year

 

Level 1 – Tasks and Skills

Foster carers need to demonstrate:

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• Work in line with the Foster Care Agreement

• Meet the responsibilities listed in the “carers responsibilities”.

• Engage in full mandatory training programme on offer using different mediums.

• Access additional training as required.

• Contribute to report for reviews and meetings.

• Complete the Training, Support and Development Standards for Foster Care

• Developing and emerging experience of fostering

 

Level 2 – Tasks and Skills

The first annual review will assess the review period and consider progression to Level 2

Foster carers need to demonstrate:

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• Work in line with the Foster Care Agreement - ongoing

• Meet the responsibilities listed in the “carers responsibilities”.- ongoing

• Engage in full mandatory training programme on offer using different mediums. - up to date

• Access additional training

• Contribute to reports for reviews and meetings - write reports.

• Complete the Training, Support and Development Standards for Foster Care - completed

• Experience of fostering

• Success in managing complex placements.

• Met a high level and quality of meeting children's needs for example travel appointments positive and therapeutic parenting.

 

Level 3 – Tasks and Skills

Most foster carers at level 3 would have at least 2 years’ experience and demonstrate a high level of skill in working with complex cases i.e. step-down, abused children, children with disabilities and special needs, sibling groups, complex behavioural issues. Working actively with both children and liaise with the team around the child, carrying out specific and specialised pieces of work in terms of preparing children for independence, preparing children for adoption, specific specialist placements, and step down.

Foster carers need to demonstrate:

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• Work in line with the Foster Care Agreement - ongoing

• Meet the responsibilities listed in the “carers responsibilities”. -ongoing

• Engage in full mandatory training programme on offer using different mediums. - up to date

• Access additional training - ongoing

• Compose reports for reviews and meetings.

• Significant experience of fostering and meeting positive outcomes for children with complex needs.

• Willing to complete the Diploma Level 3 in health and social care children and young people and maybe accessing additional higher-level training.

• Buddying newer foster carers or less experienced foster carers

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Level 4 – tasks and skills

Foster carers need to demonstrate:

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• Work in line with the Foster Care Agreement - ongoing

• Meet the responsibilities listed in the “carers responsibilities”. - ongoing

• Engage in full mandatory training programme on offer using different mediums. - up to date

• Access additional training - ongoing

• Compose competent reports for reviews and meetings.

• Exceptionally high experience of fostering and meeting positive outcomes for children with complex needs.

• providing specialist placements that may be step-down, therapeutic, complex, medical, or challenging behaviours

• Completed the Diploma Level 3 in health and social care children and young people or an equivalent qualification.

• Buddying other carers, supporting, training and running support groups for foster carers and children.

• Linking with the Embrace therapist and with the senior management team in terms of driving Embrace fostering forward