Why foster?

When a child is looked after, they are taken into the care of their local authority who is responsible for making sure that the child receives the care that is appropriate. As part of the local authority Portsmouth Fostering Service works closely with the child’s social worker to place the child with the best match foster family for the child’s needs.

Portsmouth foster carers are busy people whose services are used frequently so there are few gaps between any placements unless the foster carer chooses to take a break. Portsmouth foster carers are respected as part of the local authority ‘team around the child’ and play a vital role in making the right decisions for a child, right from the start of planning for the child’s future.

An important consideration in placing children is to try and keep them, where it is safe to do so, in a familiar environment. A child will be better able to cope with the stressful change of moving to live with a new family if they are able to continue their education in familiar surroundings and see their friends and family and keep doing their usual activities.

This is much easier with a local placement in the local area, and that’s why Portsmouth City Council needs more foster carers in Portsmouth and surrounding areas to make sure children can stay local and have the best start in their lives..

As a Portsmouth foster carer you will be offered a wide range of training to help you support the children in your care and to enable you to progress and develop as a foster carer Training is an important part of the support we provide and Portsmouth is committed to your on-going professional development.

Training topics include:

– managing behavior
– safeguarding
– safer caring
– reporting and recording
– team around your Portsmouth child
– first aid

At Portsmouth we recognise that support is vital to help you really help a child. Foster carers have access to a range of support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

As a Portsmouth foster carer you can expect:

– Support throughout your fostering assessment by an assessing social worker
– Following approval your own support social worker to offer you support, advice and encouragement
– Regular one to one visits from your support social worker
– An experienced foster carer to act as a ‘buddy’
– A comprehensive package of training
– An out of hours support service at weekends, evenings and bank holidays
– Support from other professionals specialising in health and education,  including child and adolescent mental health
– Respite care to support placements
– Regular support groups providing opportunities to meet other carers,  including a male carers support group
– Many carers form firm friendships through their fostering
– Support from the foster carers liaison group (a group of carers and managers whose aim is to advocate on behalf of carers)
– Opportunities to get involved in the development of the service such as recruitment events
– Equipment needed to care for children joining your family such as a buggy or a cot
– Generous fostering allowances and skills fees
– Access to Portsmouth City Council staff benefits
– A Portsmouth Leisure Card entitling you to discounts at Portsmouth City Council and other leisure facilities

As a foster carer for Portsmouth City Council you will receive free membership to The Fostering Network and all of the perks that come with it. Below are just some of the fantastic benefits that you will be able to access:

– Legal protection insurance that covers the whole fostering family
– Access to a legal helpline for expert advice on any legal queries
– Access to a member helpline for independent advice on all aspects of fostering
– Confidential stress counselling service
– A wealth of online resources, publications and training, providing up to date and practical information that will help you to provide the best care
– Discounts on family days out, holidays, home insurance and much more
– A quarterly Foster Care magazine full of inspirational articles
– Regular events with expert speakers
– An online community for foster care members to connect, share advice, support and personal experiences

– Regular placement opportunities
– Children matched that best suit your skills and experience
– Competitive fees and allowances
– Extensive support network
– Excellent training opportunities
– Be part of the local authority team working together to ensure that goals and  aspirations for all Portsmouth looked after children are achieved