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Fostering is a career based in your own home that at the same time
involves you in working closely with other professionals in social
services, education and the health care services. You will also
have contact with the parents and families of the children you care
for, with a view to helping children return to their own home
eventually, wherever possible and appropriate. Like all
child-centred work it can be demanding as well as rewarding -
especially as some of the young people our carers help may have
problems that are challenging.
Different fostering needs call for different qualities from
carers.
How will the children I foster behave?
The only sure answer is to expect the unexpected and you won't
go far wrong. The preparation process will help you to understand
the experiences that foster children may have been through before
being placed. There will be opportunites to learn about the issues
involved to help you and us make the right decision about becoming
a foster carer.
For example, it is very common for children to feel withdrawn,
insecure, or distressed when they arrive, and depending on the
circumstances this behaviour may be prolonged. Some children have
been rejected or hurt by their parents and may be feeling angry,
confused or anxious, so Foster Carers need to be prepared to allow
such children to express themselves in a safe and a secure
environment, and set clear boundaries with their circumstances in
mind. Children who have been abused or harmed can display very
disturbed behaviour and this can be daunting for anyone thinking of
fostering. However, these are ordinary children who have suffered
extraordinary circumstances and still need nurturing and their
basic needs to be met as with any other child.
Extensive on-going support and training is available to help
provide the skills you need to cope with typical behaviours
associated with children who have been temporarily separated from
their families. Understanding the reasons why a child's behaves in
a certain way helps enormously and enables carers to cope with
difficult incidents.
Read this BBC Kent feature on being a foster
carer (this link will open in a new window.)
Foster care payments - Guidance only -
Mainstream Foster Care
Kent County Council
pays a maintenance* fee for each child placed with a foster carer,
and a professional fee for the work undertaken with each child.
These fees are paid fortnightly whilst the child is living in the
foster home. In addition carers are entitled to two weeks' paid
holiday a year. Please note carers work on a self-employed basis
and declare the professional fee for tax purposes.
Fees:
- Younger children
Payments range from
£211.47 - £222.47 (including a professional fee of £99.61 a
week)
- Older children
Payments ranging from £323.68 - £354.41 (including a professional
fee of £189.98 a week)
In addition, Payment for Skills is a Kent
County Council initiative to recognise mainstream Foster Carer's
abilities. The Competency Assessment Framework for KCC foster
carers aims to provide high quality care in a family setting.
Carers are assessed against competencies, evidenced in practice and
provided criteria is met, will be paid an enhanced fee dependent on
their assessed skill level. These payments are paid on the carer's
abilities and not on the needs of the particular child placed. The
additional payment is dependent on the level of skill determined by
assessment there are 3 different levels, which can be attained.
Specialist Scheme Foster Care
We pay enhanced fees for our specialist scheme
carers in recognition of the skills and additional training
required in offering this type of care.
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