Fostering Xtra

“Becoming a Fostering Xtra carer has allowed my wide ranging skills and experience to be recognised and used fully. Fostering Xtra has given me the opportunity to go the extra mile to make a difference to the young person placed with me." Vanessa, Buckinghamshire Fostering Xtra carer

“My life has got so difficult, I just need a new start”. Sam, 14 years old

Do you have the Xtra it takes?

Help young people make positive changes to their lives

Xtra benefits for Fostering Xtra carers:

Work from home
Earn a generous weekly fee plus allowance
Receive specialist training and support

To apply to become a Fostering Xtra carer or to find out more call us on 01296 382555.

What is Fostering Xtra?

Fostering Xtra is a special scheme for young people from aged 10 upwards with complex needs and whose behaviour presents challenges to their carers. It offers short-term placements of up to two years.

The scheme is looking for foster carers who have:

the skills, competencies and experience to meet the needs of these young people.
a minimum of three years experience of working with children or young people.
the ability to work as part of a team
the ability to support young people through ‘thick and thin’
a spare room.

In return foster carers will receive a generous fee in addition to an allowance, which covers the cost of caring for a young person.

Who are the young people?

The young people referred to the scheme may have the following difficulties:

forming or maintaining relationships with adults and other young people.
a history of abuse or neglect
low self esteem and /or self control leading to challenging behaviour
alcohol/substance misuse
at risk of or currently involved in offending behaviour
currently or at risk of being excluded from mainstream education.
frequent and unplanned moves
at risk of sexual exploitation.

Who can become a Fostering Xtra carer?

Fostering Xtra applicants need to be 25 years old or over.

We welcome applications from single people, male or female, married or unmarried couples, people who are divorced or widowed. We welcome applications from lesbians and gay men, and same-sex couples. Couples must have been in their relationship for at least two years.

Applications are welcome from people of all cultural backgrounds, as we aim to place children in families that match their own cultural background wherever possible. The main carer must be able to communicate clearly in both written and spoken English.

Full details of what is required are contained in the job description/person specification carers within the Fostering Xtra scheme will be expected to offer:

A safe, stable and high quality placement to young people who have a very high level of need.
Full-time care from the main carer (who will have no other paid employment)
Energy, patience and resilience
An unfailing sense of humour and a network of family and friends who are supportive of their role as foster carers.

Training and support

Part of a team: as a Fostering Xtra carer you will be a respected member of a multi-agency team with whom you’ll be working closely to meet all the differing needs of the young person in your care.

Advice and support from professionals: in addition to working closely with the child’s social worker, you will also receive advice and support from members of the Project team including education and clinical psychologists, for example, in behaviour management strategies.

Supervision and professional development: you will also have regular contact and weekly supervision with your fostering support worker, and ongoing informal support at other times. Carers also receive an annual appraisal that considers their professional development and have access to other career progression opportunities.

Specialist training: you will receive specialist training in order to develop the skills and confidence to meet the requirements of the scheme. You will also have the opportunity to undertake accredited learning at an advanced level.

Advice and support: as well as having access to 24 hour, 7 day a week advice and support, you will be expected to attend a Support Group with other Fostering Xtra carers to both give and receive support.

Holiday entitlement: you are entitled to four weeks paid holiday (when you will continue to receive the full fee) plus planned breaks from fostering (up to 14 days respite).

Financial support

Fostering Xtra carers will receive a starting fee of £350 per week.

In addition to the fee, carers will receive an allowance for each young person placed to cover their expenses.

As a fee-paid foster carer, you will be self-employed, and will be responsible for ensuring that any assessed contributions are paid accordingly.

What happens next?

To continue your application to become a Fostering Xtra carer, you need to do the following:

Read the job description/person specification below
Call the Family Placement Recruitment team on 01296 382555 to apply to become a Fostering Xtra carer, or for further information on the scheme.