What additional support is available for foster carers?
Your family placement social worker
A family placement social worker is there to offer advice, guidance and support to foster carers. A comprehensive induction programme will be arranged when you first start fostering and regular supervision and consultation is offered throughout your fostering career.
All foster children will have a social worker who will support them and work with their parents, family and foster carers. This social worker is there to ensure that each child has a comprehensive child care plan to meet their current and future needs.
Out of hours support
If you need help outside of office hours you can telephone the helpline for foster carers run by experienced foster carers or you can contact the emergency duty team.
Supervision group
You will have the opportunity to join a local foster care supervision group run by social workers and attended by foster carers. Supervision groups meet monthly. Their aim is to provide help and advice by drawing on each other's experience and knowledge. Sometimes outside speakers are invited to talk on topics of interest, usually suggested by group members.
South Gloucestershire Foster Carers Support Group
The South Gloucestershire Foster Carers Support Group is an informal support network set up by local carers who meet regularly without social workers present. At these meetings they share their experiences of fostering and give each other advice and support.
Buddying scheme
From the end of the preparation course, through to assessment and the first year of fostering, new carers will be linked with experienced carers who will be available to give advice and support in addition to that provided by social workers.
'Foster friends'
'Foster friends' are the children of foster carers age 7-18 who meet during school holidays, special days and events to share their experiences whilst having fun together.
Fostering network
All foster carers automatically receive membership of the fostering network. This is paid for by South Gloucestershire and entitles you to a quarterly magazine, free information booklets, legal advice and insurance.