Fostering

Many children in the Borough need foster carers now.

The Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead is currently recruiting people of every walk of life as foster carers.

Many different kinds of people can proivide a secure and caring environment for children and young people who cannot live with their families. Age, income, gender, sexuality, culture, marital status do not affect a person's ability to be a good carer. It's personal qualities that matter.

We need foster carers to look after babies, individual children, young sibling groups, and teenagers up to the age of 18.

There are many different types of fostering and you would only be asked to give what you feel is right for you.

• Short-term - Providing a family home for a child for a short time - anything from 1 night to 2 years.
• Long-term - Committing to a specific child (usually an older child) for the foreseeable future - probably until they reach 16 or 18.
• Relief - Providing care for a child for a short period of time (possibly just overnight, for a weekend or a week) while the parents or usual foster carer is on holiday or needs a break.
• Supported Lodgings - Providing room in your home for a young person. Supporting and befriending them as they move towards independence.
• Short Breaks For Disabled Children - Giving families short breaks from looking after their disabled children so they can spend time with their other children or recharge their batteries

As a foster carer you can expect:

• an allowance to cover the cost of caring for a child in your home. The amount will depend on the age and needs of the child. We pay an allowance of up to £331.00 per week, per child.
• on-going support from a named supervising social worker from the Fostering Team.
• access to 24 hour support from social work staff
• monthly foster carer support groups
• access to Borough funded training
• regular newsletter
• Easter, summer and Christmas social activities for foster carers, their families and foster children
• local social/support group for foster carers' own children

If you would like us to contact you by phone or email to discuss becoming a foster carer, please click the following link and complete the Fostering Enquiries Contact Us/Self Referral Online Form. The duty social worker will be in touch with you as soon as possible.

• To contact the team by phone ring 01628-683201
• Send your enquiry by email to adoption-fostering@rbwm.gov.uk.
• The address to write to is: Fostering, Adoption & Respite Service, Town Hall, St Ives Road, Maidenhead, Berkshire, SL6 1RF

• The current OFSTED Fostering Agency Inspection Report is available here.

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  Video Clip on Fostering in Windsor & Maidenhead

  • Family and Friends as Foster Carers
  
  
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