Support to Carers

Woodside offers a comprehensive package of support to its foster carers, and maintains an up to date awareness of research findings on the needs of carers. Recent research has found that the quality and consistency of support to foster carers has a direct bearing on successful outcomes for foster carers and the young people in their care. To this end we have a 'multi-discipline' team which is able to offer support in the broader sense.

As an agency we work closely with both the Fostering Network and BAAF in considering ways of developing the quality of our support services.

All foster carers working for Woodside can expect the following benefits:

• Initial training prior to starting to foster

• Ongoing internal and external training including NVQ 3 in Foster Care or training through Akamas who provide an online equivalent.

• A minimum of monthly supervision from their Supervising Social Worker with telephone support as necessary

• A flexible and professional level of support recognising carer's individual needs

• On call support '24/7'

• Ideally 2 weeks respite per year

• Regular, prompt payments, directly into your bank account

• Access to a range of books, videos and other equipment, to aid professional development and support your work

• Membership of the Fostering Network

• Support at all professional meetings and reviews

• Social events for carers, their own children and foster children

• Remuneration paid at a professional worker level of £349.00 per child per week.  This is as a newly approved level 1 carer.  Progression can be made to level 2 and level 3 depending on skills, and is reflected by increased remuneration

• School holiday activities for children placed

• Liaison with educational provision

• Individual therapy is available for all children placed

• Therapy support for carers and their family in times of need