Help us help children as an emergency Foster Carer

We’re looking for Emergency Foster Carers who can step in to protect children when a crisis occurs. The role of an Emergency Foster Carer is unique, because it involves short term, crucial support for children as soon as they need it. Emergency foster care may be required at any time of the day or night, as well as weekends. We provide an out of hours service, so were able to help children during times of emergency.

We turn to our Emergency Foster Carers in many types of urgent situations like;

• Sudden illness or accident of parents or guardians
• Major incident at home (like domestic violence or reports of abuse)
• Family is facing eviction
• If a parent or guardian passes away
• Safeguarding issue

Emergency Foster carers will know little to nothing about the circumstances of the child or young person requiring emergency foster carers. In these situations, our Emergency Foster Carers possess skills that can help them face a crisis and provide support in all types of emergency situations, they also have the means to accommodate a child or children with very short notice.
Our Emergency Foster Carers are expected to;

• Have a flexible schedule and be on call at all hours
• Willing to welcome children to their home weekdays, evenings and weekends
• Understand that the knowledge we have about the child in need of care can often be limited
• High skill level that can accommodate challenging situations for children at all ages
• Easily adapt to change

As an Emergency Foster Carer, it’s your job to provide a safe home. You will be the person that provides emotional support and comfort to a child when they are experiencing something difficult. You might find that the child doesn’t have a full understanding of what is happening, and they could be confused, scared and traumatised. As an emergency foster carer you will provide a temporary foster care placement and can be anything from a couple of hours up to a maximum of 6 days and you will help children move on to their next steps whether this is supporting bridging them to another foster carer, moving to live with a family member or returning home to parents. Emergency placements are often unplanned with little to no notice, there usually isn’t time for foster carer and child introductions.

Caring for a child during a time of crisis will have impact their lives, as an Emergency Foster Carer you’ll be helping them manage their emotions, provide stability and routine, advocate for them, encourage them and build trust. If this sounds like a role you may be interested in, please email <a href=”mailto:enquiry@foster4.co.uk”>enquiry@foster4.co.uk</a> or to have an informal chat please call <a href=”tel:03456460098″>03456460098</a>.