What we offer

We are a highly experienced fostering team, so you can be sure that you will receive a personal and high quality service from us.

If you decide to foster for us, you will receive a generous allowance. This is made up of a non-taxable allowance to cover the cost of caring for a child and weekly fee for your skills as foster carers.

If you think fostering may be for you and your family, then please contact us via our registration form. We aim to respond to you within five working days; or you can phone us to discuss your interest further. If you phone between 9am and 5pm any day of the week, you can speak to one of our social workers in the Fostering team. We will also send you an information pack and if you are still interested, one of our fostering team will then contact you to arrange a visit at your home to explore your interest further.

If you decide to proceed with us, you will then be invited to join one of our Preparatory Training Groups, known as Skills to Foster. All our prospective foster carers are invited to attend this course to help them prepare for the challenges that being a foster carer can bring. You have the option to attend a three day course held over the weekend or six evening sessions if this is more convenient. Do not be worried; the following are some of the comments participants have made:

"It told me everything I needed to know… I was not pressurised… I learnt a lot… and it has made me think."

"I have enjoyed it, meeting other prospective foster carers."

"I was not sure I could do fostering before, but I feel so confident now. I think I will be a really good foster carer and I cannot wait."

"The session with the foster carer was excellent."

"This course has convinced us that we can foster and helped us to decide what type of fostering is best for us."

If after training you decide to apply to foster we will begin your assessment. This is a lengthy piece of work that examines all facets of your life and is carried out on a need to know basis. All information gathered is kept confidential to the Together Trust and placing local authorities. Also the assessment process involves taking up criminal records bureau, statutory and health checks, and personal references. You will work with your assessing social worker to look at your skills and potential skills as a foster carer.

The outcome of your assessment will be considered by the Together Trust Fostering Panel, which consists of a group of social workers and other professional and independent people who are skilled and experienced in fostering work. Based on their recommendation, the Together Trust will then decide whether to approve you or not as foster carers for the agency.