CARING: Foster parents Lynn and Carl Carter with their daughter, Laura.

Foster carer

Answers supplied by Eleanor Newman, assistant director of Foster Care Associates (FCA), the largest independent fostering agency in the
UK. They work in partnership with local authorities across the country to provide local quality foster homes for children of all ages.

What does the job entail?
Being a foster carer involves looking after a child or children who cannot live with their own family for a variety of reasons. You would look after children as part of your work as part of a team of social workers, teachers, therapists and resource workers (to name but a few), as well as working positively with the child's family when it is appropriate. You are responsible for meeting the child's needs and helping them to reach their full potential.

What skills and qualifications are needed?
Ideally you need to have background experience with children and be able to clearly assess and meet the individual needs of children. Foster carers need to be able to provide a safe environment for children to grow up in and be able to work with people from many different backgrounds. Training and support are provided before carers are appointed and thereafter on an ongoing basis.

What type of person will the role suit?
Fostering families come in all shapes and sizes, as children do. It is important to be flexible and open, a good communicator and able to ask for help when you need it. You also need to be able to empathise with children and be able to see things from the child's perspective. Children often take a long children living happily and making good progress, but of course this isn't always the case and carers cannot always make the difference they hope for. However, excellent support is provided and the fostering task is very varied with never a dull moment.

What opportunities exist?
There is no career progression as such in fostering, but carers are supported to achieve the NVQ level 3 in caring for children and young people and you would be encouraged to develop your fostering skills through regular training sessions.

What can I expect to earn?
Foster carers with FCA receive an allowance of £336.00 per week for each child they care for. Families cannot care for more than three children unless there are very exceptional circumstances. The allowance is expected to cover everything the child needs.

Any hints on getting fostering in this area?
Fostering Network is a national organisation which can give advice on all aspects of fostering, contact them on 020 7620 6400, visit www.fostering.net or write to them at 87 Blackfriars Road, London, SE1 8HA. You can contact FCA on (01508) 536187 or visit www.thefca.co.uk for further information. The FCA is happy to send out information packs and discuss applications informally.