Supporting the Foster Carers

We don’t just place a child with a foster carer and then leave them to it; we provide ongoing support and help before, after and during placements.

Each foster care household is allocated a Supervising Social Worker from Park Foster Care and they will regular visit you at your home at least every two weeks to check how things are going, discuss any concerns you may have and be your main link to the agency for information and specialist support that you or the child or young person may need.

Support is also available out of hours; we operate a rota system where our Supervising Social Workers are on duty evenings and weekends to ensure that there is always just on the end of the phone, no matter what time of day.

We pride ourselves on the training courses we provide for our foster carers.  The mix of training available is designed to be both theory based and practical.  Some carers ask if they can study NVQ qualifications or other specific training, we encourage this and will support financially and practically during the course.

We hold a number of parenting forums and monthly support groups within different geographic areas of our region, this allows the carers the opportunity to speak with other carers, support each other and build friendships with people in similar situations to themselves.  

Reflective practice sessions are available for carers after a significant event has taken place e.g. when a placement finishes.  Even if this has been a planned move rather than a break down we recognise that the foster carers do need the opportunity to speak with our specialist parenting consultant who can help them understand and handle their thoughts, feelings and how to learn from their experiences. 

At Park Foster Care we recognise that occasionally you need time to yourself or with your family, and we provide as standard up to 18 days per year as paid leave.  The child or young person in your care will be placed with another household as respite care.

Additionally, we have a team of support workers based around our region who can help out by taking the child or young person out to do a specific activity of interest and age relevant i.e. a trip to the zoo, a cycle in the park, watch a film at the cinema etc.  This can be timed for when you are attending a meeting, a training course, spending time with your family or just taking a well earned rest.