Fostering children leaving residential care

This type of foster care involves helping children to move from residential homes to fostering families and is also known as 'step down' fostering.

This includes children and young people who have chosen to transition from residential care, often after experiencing significant growth and development in a supportive environment. Their time in residential care has equipped them with the resilience and skills needed to thrive. As they continue to make remarkable progress, a foster home is now seen as the ideal next step in their care journey, providing a nurturing setting that aligns with their evolving needs. 

Children who need this type of foster care are usually older, aged 11+ and have unique strengths and diverse needs that require enhanced care and understanding, which may involve extra supervision and support.

 

We need experienced, resilient people with transferable skills in dealing with young people from complicated backgrounds to provide step down care. You will help make a difference to children in Lancashire, who would benefit from the stability and support of family life.

What we offer

In recognition of step down care meeting a higher/more complex level of need, we offer an enhanced allowance of up to £59,000 for our foster carers who can provide this type care, which we hope will attract people with relevant experience to make a career change.

We understand that caring for a child with individual and varied needs requires a higher level of support. That’s why we provide a comprehensive support package, including our Foster Carer Academy, mentoring programme, local support groups, planned breaks and therapeutic resources. With these tools, help is always at hand if you need it to help your foster child thrive.

Who we are looking for 

We need people who are skilled at supporting children and young people with enhanced needs, gained either through their career, previous fostering experience or personal life

Relevant professions include blue light workers such as police, prison and probation service, mental health, youth workers, residential staff, armed forces, existing experienced foster carers and similar roles.

 

If you are a couple, at least one carer in the household must make a full time commitment to the role. If you are single, we would expect you to commit full time so you can be fully available for a foster child. This makes the role ideal for those looking for a career change, retired or willing to take early retirement.

We welcome applications whatever your sexuality or relationship status, religion, race, age, home ownership but you must be able to offer a spare room for the sole use of a child.

Find out more

To find out more or apply please call our friendly team on 0300 019 0200 and let us know that you are interested in providing step down foster care.