Foster Carer

Step Forward into a Role That Changes a Child’s Future. Become a Foster Carer.

Step-Forward Foster Carer – Bury

Employer: Bury Council

Location: Within 20-miles of Bury

Salary: £1,029 per week per child, plus allowances and additional benefits

Sector: Social Care | Education | Healthcare

Could Fostering be your Natural Next Step?

Every child deserves a stable home where they know that they matter. Right now, some children and young people in and around Bury are living in residential care or away from their local community after experiencing trauma, loss, or instability. What they need now is a caring home where life feels calmer, more predictable, and full of possibility again.

This type of specialist fostering is not about perfection. It’s about creating steady routines, offering reassurance, and being there for a child every day, even when things feel difficult or uncertain. If you have supported children or young people with complex or challenging behaviours, whether through your work or personal experience, you will know how powerful consistency, patience, and trust can be in helping someone feel secure and confident enough to move forward.

With the right training and support around you, you can help give a child the stability they need, help them to build stronger relationships, and ultimately, move towards a more positive future.

What the Role Involves:

This specialist fostering role requires you to welcome a child or young person into your home and support them as part of your family. This is a full-time role where you will provide day-to-day care as the child’s primary carer.

• Full-time care for a child or sibling group moving from residential care
• Providing stability, routine, and reassurance within a nurturing home
• Supporting the child’s emotional, behavioural, and social development
• Working closely with social workers, therapists and other professionals
• Keeping clear records and providing therapeutic, relationship-based care
• Helping children maintain family relationships through Family Time

Who Can Apply to Become a Step-Forward Foster Carer?

We welcome enquiries from individuals and/or couples who:

• Must meet the minimum eligibility requirements (21+)
• Have the legal Right to Work in the United Kingdom (see definition below)
• Can provide full-time care for a child or children in their home (at least one carer must be present on a full-time basis if applying as a couple)
• Have a spare bedroom or bedrooms that can be dedicated to fostering
• Ideally have experience supporting children, young people, or adults, particularly those with complex needs or challenging behaviours

Do You Have the Right to Work in the United Kingdom?

All Foster Carers must have the legal right to work in the UK.

You have the right if you are:

• British or Irish Passport Holder
• Settled Status under the EU Settlement Scheme
• Pre Settled Status under the EU Settlement Scheme
• Granted Indefinite Leave to Remain permit
• You will need to prove your right to work with original documents, such as a passport or Home Office documentation before starting an application.

What you can expect as a Step-Forward Foster Carer with Bury:

• Enhanced fee of up to £53,308 per year (£1,029 per week) once a child is placed
• Weekly fostering allowance based on the child’s needs*
• Allowances for birthday, holiday and religious/cultural celebration*
• Adjustment fee paid for two weeks following the end of a placement
• Retainer fee for up to four weeks per year when between placements
• 50% Council Tax reduction

Additionally, you will receive access to:

• A dedicated Supervising Social Worker and 24/7 out of hours support
• Specialist therapeutic training and ongoing professional development
• Foster Carer support groups, buddy scheme, and peer network
• Membership to The Fostering Network for advice, training, and advocacy
• Discount schemes including Blue Light Card and Max Card

Could This Be You?

We are looking for individuals or couples who:

• Can provide at least one dedicated spare bedroom for fostering
• Have experience supporting children or adults with complex or additional needs, whether through professional roles or personal experience (a relevant qualification is desirable)
• Are resilient, nurturing, and committed to learning and reflecting
• Can provide full-time care (at least one person at home)
• Have a full driving licence and access to a suitable vehicle
• Please note: Fostering is classed as a self-employed role. You will manage your own tax affairs and maintain the necessary records for the role.

Take the First Step

This is not just a role. It is a chance to change what a child’s future can look like.

To offer stability where there has been uncertainty. To create belonging where there has been separation. And to be the consistent presence that helps a child begin to heal and grow.

If this feels like something you could do, we would love to hear from you.