Being a foster carer is more than just a job, it’s an incredibly rewarding role that has its own unique challenges. As a foster carer, you play a vital role in providing children and young people with the stability they need. 

Even the most experienced foster carers need support in place so here’s how we can help. 

Emotional Support 

Children and young people deserve the positive experience of family life. But joining a new foster family can be difficult – especially for children who have experienced trauma. That’s why it’s important that foster carers are equipped to understand and respond to the young person in their care.  

By getting to know you well, we’ll give you the support and guidance needed to make a positive difference. You can access a range of emotional support services to support you in your fostering role. As such, this can take many different forms including access to formal supervision, peer support, and other networks.  

Drop-in sessions

We understand that there are a lot of questions that you might have around the various types of foster care.  Is it right for me? What do I need to be a foster carer? Where do I even start?

At Northamptonshire Children’s Trust (NCT), we offer monthly drop in sessions held at various venues through the borough: 

• Dunelm Store Cafe
• Brackley Library
• Kettering Library
• Corby Library
• Weston Favell Library
• Wellingborough Library
• Rushden Library
• Deanshanger Library

Wherever across Northamptonshire you might be based, why not pop along to speak to us and feel free to ask our specialist team and existing foster carers anything you need to.

Why not register to attend for free below t let us know you’re coming:

Foster carer communities 

At Northamptonshire Children’s Trust (NCT), our robust package of dedicated foster care support includes access to local groups: 

• The Northamptonshire Foster Carers Association is run by foster carers. You can connect with others and share experiences at events such as the breakfast club. 

• Our buddying scheme is fantastic for new carers. It gives you the chance to meet with more experienced carers for support and advice. 

Social Worker Support 

To help you provide high-quality care, you’ll be allocated a supervising social worker. They will be there to help you achieve the very best outcomes for children and young people.  

This ongoing foster care support is an opportunity to discuss any concerns you may have. This will help you manage any challenges or changes in the needs of the children in your care.   

Financial Support 

You may be surprised to know that fostering is a good long-term career option.  

Not only do you benefit from emotional and practical support, but you will also receive a generous fostering allowance.  

This helps to offset the financial costs of caring for a child, covering: 

• Food 
• Clothing 
• Other essential expenses. 

At NCT, we also offer bonus payments to cover a child’s holiday, birthday, and religious festivals. 

The amount paid will depend on the needs of the children and young people you care for and your level of fostering expertise. For example, at NCT we have several types of foster carers, including in Resilience foster care. They are trained to care for children and young people with difficult life experiences. For their care and expertise, they receive a support package of up to £40,000 per year.  

Training and Development 

As you know, it’s important to have the knowledge and skills to meet the emotional, practical, educational needs of children in your care.  

At NCT, we’re committed to helping improve outcomes for children and young people as well as helping you grow professionally and personally. Our extensive training and development opportunities cover a range of topics, including: 

• Parental and other attachments  

• Child development  
• Secure base parenting  
• The impact of trauma on physical and emotional development 
• How to communicate with children and implement therapeutic parenting 

The training aspect of our foster care support offering includes a suite of e-learning and face-to-face training in Northamptonshire. We also have a range of webinars as part of your complimentary membership to the National Association of Therapeutic Parents. Our training both up-skills and empowers you to meet the therapeutic care needs of children and young people. As a ‘therapeutic champion’, you will be confident in supporting healthy relationships, effective self-regulation skills and resilience. 

NCT is home to interactive VR technology that can immerse you into situations experienced by the child or young person. This can give you a greater understanding of their trauma responses and how to support them.  

If you’re ready to chat, we can’t wait to tell you all about fostering with NCT. Register your interest using the link below and we will give you a call back to get you started on your journey.