Support for foster carers
We are dedicated to supporting our foster carers so that they can provide the best care for North Somerset's children and young people.
What support is on offer for our foster carers?
Whether you’re about to start your application, take on your first placement or are further down the line in your fostering career, we’ll always be here to support you.
Your own social worker
From application and all the way through your fostering journey, you will benefit from the support of your own social worker. Your social worker is here to guide you and help you in your fostering career.
A child’s social worker
Every child placed with you will have their own social worker, primarily responsible for the child’s welfare, who will offer you tailored support and guidance. They will also help the child through challenging transitions, such as moving to new foster carers or awaiting decisions about their care, ensuring these periods are managed sensitively and effectively.
Out-of-hours and emergency contacts
You’re never alone in your fostering journey. Our emergency and out-of-hours services are here to support you whenever you need them. Hopefully you won't need to, but if you ever do, rest assured in knowing we’re here to offer advice and guidance or lend a helping hand when you need it.
Health practitioners and advice
You will have access to health practitioner support and advice, so you can provide care with the utmost confidence. This also includes access to our Consult Team, offering therapeutic support to children based on their needs, and in consultation with their foster carers.
Local tailored Support Groups
We offer regular local support groups, which you’re welcome to attend. At these sessions, you will meet other fostering families or single carers, and our dedicated team, who are here to help you in your journey.
Dedicated foster carers’ counselling service
We have local foster carers counselling available for our foster carers to provide specialist support when you need it as we know how important it is to have someone to come to in a time of need.
Regular Foster Carer coffee mornings
Our foster carers and team often meet for informal coffee catch-ups, where they can talk about anything and everything. As a new foster carer, these sessions can help you make new friends in the fostering circle and lean on other like-minded people for peer-to-peer advice!
Supporting our Children
creating the best outcomes
We are dedicated to supporting our children and young people. All of our children and young people have their own story, and we’re here to support them during the difficult times in their lives. As we’re a not-for-profit organisation, all investment goes directly into creating the best outcomes for our children and young people. This includes:
- Regular community events for our children and young people
- Funding of specialist support for our children and young people.
- Providing valuable experiences to our young people so they experience the same things as other children their age.
Supporting children who foster
Giving back to young people
We are so proud as a local authority to have children who foster with their parents, and they do an amazing job. For many fostered young people, having another child or young person in the home can be a source of comfort, and often valuable bonds are created.
We support and thank our children by:
- Inviting them to join our children who foster group – A group run by North Somerset Council to recognise, support and empower our fostering young people, ensuring they are heard.
- Hosting regular events and parties for our fostering families and children & young people.
Fancy finding out more about what we offer?
Benefits
At Fostering North Somerset, we offer comprehensive local support and generous benefits for our foster carers?
