Why foster with Kirklees

There's lots of reasons why we think you should foster with us. As well as a payment and benefits package, you'll receive training and a range of wrap-around support.

Here's a few other reasons for you to consider:

We'll be with you every step of the way on your fostering journey, right from your first enquiry.
You'll become part of our team of carers and professionals who are passionate about putting children and young people first.
You'll be our first choice when it comes to looking for a family for our children and young people.
Fostering locally means our children can stay in familiar surroundings, close to their friends, schools, and family. This sense of belonging helps their emotional wellbeing at a time of change, and you can be the one to make that possible.
We offer a variety of fostering options to suit different lifestyles and levels of commitment. Each comes with its own unique rewards and challenges, and we'll help you find the path that's right for you.
Throughout your fostering journey you'll have direct access to decades of experience, local knowledge, and a strong network of expert support - from professionals and fellow carers who truly understand. So, whether you're facing a new challenge, or just need a friendly chat, help is just a phone call away.
We recognise the incredible work of our family of foster caers, and offer a good financial package, training and support, along with many additional benefits.

Money and benefits

Become a foster carer with us and you'll receive weekly payments towards the cost of caring for a child or young person. This payment recognises your skills, commitment and dedication to our children and young people.

As you attend regular training and gain more experience, your skills level will grow, and so will your payment.

You will receive:

a competitive, weekly, fostering allowance for each child in your care
a skills payment, depending on the age of the child and the agreed level of your skills
an extra two weeks' payment towards a summer holiday
an extra payment to help cover Christmas or other religious holidays
an extra payment for the child or young person's birthday
fuel allowance of 45p per mile to meet the needs of the child
contributions towards furniture and other equipment you need to start your fostering journey, once a child is placed with you
membership of My Staff Shop, which offers attractive discounts with retailers and cinemas plus many more,
a MAX Card, which gives a discount for foster families to use on family days out
a continuous long service award on completion of your first full year as a foster carer. This is paid up to a maximum of 15 years approval.
membership of the Fostering Network
membership of the Kirklees Fostering Network (KFN), run by our foster carers for our foster carers.
membership of New Family Social (if applicable). This is to support LGBT+ foster carers and their families.
the opportunity to join a Mockingbird Family Hub which is a strong, extended family-style network for foster carers and the children they care for.
the opportunity to join family days, family parties, celebration evenings and award ceremonies.

Training

We offer a wide range of training, including online courses and face-to-face sessions. Some courses are mandatory, like First Aid and Health and Safety.

As a foster carer, you'll be encouraged to take part in training throughout your assessment and your fostering journey. This helps you build your skills and knowledge and gives you a chance to meet other foster carers.

Don't worry if you haven't studied for a while - we'll support you every step of the way.

In your first year, you'll need to complete the 'Training, Support and Development Standards' (TSDS) for foster care. This sets out what's expected of foster carers. By attending our mandatory induction course and having a positive first-year review, you'll meet these standards.

Support

We offer lots of practical and emotional support throughout your fostering career.

Social worker

Once approved as a foster carer, you will have your own supervising social worker, who will visit you and your family regularly. Their role is to support you and your family while you are fostering and to offer advice about any concerns or worries you may have.

Every child or young person who is looked after has their own social worker, who works closely with the child and their family. Their social worker will visit regularly to see the child and offer any help or guidance you may need.

Other foster families (peer support)

When you foster for Kirklees you join our family and can expect support from our other foster carers.

We use the Mocking Bird Family Model. This is where small groups of foster families who live nearby one another, come together to create a support network - similar to an extended family.

These groups can hold monthly meetings, social events, days out, and even sleepovers to help families and children connect.

This provides foster children with more stability, security, and positive relationships. It also offers our foster carers strong peer support, as well as training and development opportunities.

Support groups

We hold regular support groups for our foster carers. These cover different topics and we invite guest speakers from other teams and organisations.

Foster carers are encouraged to attend, to keep up-to-date with service news and developments, build relationships and make friends with other carers.

Fostering network

All foster carers have free membership to the Fostering Network, which provides a wealth of information.

Paid leave

If you need a break you are entitled to 28 days paid leave/ time off. If you don't take this, we will pay you this time as an additional payment.

Emergency support

If you have an emergency or concern out of normal office hours you can call the Emergency Duty Team (EDT) or a dedicated fostering support line who will offer advice.

Make a fostering enquiry

Or 0800 389 0086

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