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By fostering with Knowsley Council, you’ll be making a difference to the most vulnerable children and young people from your local area.
Foster carers work in partnership with the team around the child in their care, and by becoming a foster carer with Knowsley you’ll benefit from working directly with this team, including the child’s Social Worker, education and health professionals, resulting in better communication, support and outcomes for our children.
In Knowsley we are proud of the support that is offered to both foster carers and the children and young people they care for. We offer both emotional and practical support through advice and a listening ear to our foster carers. By becoming a foster carer with Knowsley Council, you will be joining Knowsley’s
biggest family. You will be a part of a growing support network that aims to make the lives of some of the most vulnerable children and young people in our community better.
"One of best thing about fostering for Knowsley Council is the support I receive from my supervising social worker. She’s always there for us and we get on really well. She’s advised us on so much and listened – really listened. I think that’s really important because you do need that support."
Jo, Knowsley Council Foster Carer
Being a Foster Carer is hugely rewarding on many levels, but it also takes lots of practical provision to make it possible. We are very proud of the role our foster carers play and in recognition of this we provide an extensive package of benefits and rewards.
We offer:
Knowsley Foster Carers Association who play a key role in organising regular group activities for our Foster Carers and the children in their care, from trips to pantomimes to holidays in Flamingo Land
Max card-giving carers discounts on a wide range of attractions and days out
Regular awards and events including the annual Knowsley Fostering Family Christmas Party, Foster Carer Development Day, Foster Carer Brunch and The Knowsley Children Social Care fun day
Dedicated Knowsley Foster Carer Hub website so you can stay up-to-date with the latest developments and complete weekly event diaries online
Foster Carer ID badges for all carers
All the equipment you will need, such as car seats, prams and bedroom furniture
Foster Carers Support Group, run by our foster carers themselves
Exclusive Benefits and Discounts. As a Knowsley Foster Carer you can access a range of exclusive benefits and discounts for high street shops, savings schemes and discounted products with the Knowsley Council’s KAARP scheme. With KAARP you can save on practically everything from days out, shopping.
Children of Foster Carers Group
Support Service for foster carers. Knowsley foster carers can access some of the support services provided by Knowsley Council to support you through any of life’s issues or problems. These include - therapy support services, including access to counselling and talking therapies; physical treatment services, including physiotherapy and podiatry; and finally routine vaccinations, including flu and hepatitis B
Free Volair Leisure Membership for all children looked after in Knowsley. This pass also allows foster carers to access the centres for free when accompanying the child (up to the age of 12). Additionally, foster carers are also eligible for the Knowsley ‘Leisure Passport’ at a cost to them of £7.00. The Passport offers 40% discount on Volair Silver memberships.
Recommend a Friend scheme. We recognise the importance of foster carers recommending Knowsley Fostering Service to their friends and family and will pay carers who recommend someone who gets approval £1000. This will be paid in two equal instalments at the point the new foster carer is approved and then six months after they have had a child in placement.
Our committed support is evidenced by our strong professional relationships with our foster carers and high retention rate. We have many carers who have been with us for 40 years. We offer support that is both practical and emotional, to ensure you’re well equipped to undertake the fostering role, and know you’re never on your own.
We offer:
As the Local Authority we have a huge range of internal and external partner services. These include:
