Everything You Need to Know
From your very first contact with us, you will feel reassured that you made the right choice through our warm, supportive, non-judgemental and caring approach. You do not need to have everything figured out before making an initial enquiry.
Training & Support
COMPREHENSIVE PRE-APPROVAL TRAINING & PREPARATION
Our Skills to Foster programme prepares you to become a confident, thoughtful and child-focused foster carer. It helps you understand children’s experiences and needs, including the impact of trauma, loss and disrupted relationships, and the importance of safe, consistent and nurturing care.
You will meet members of our Management Team, our Psychotherapist and experienced Ideal foster carers, combining professional expertise with real-life fostering experience. If you have birth children, they will also be offered bespoke training from our Therapeutic Support Team.
You will complete essential training, including First Aid and Safeguarding, and benefit from our foster carer buddy system, connecting you with an experienced Ideal carer for friendly, practical support.
So, once you go to Panel for approval, you are ready to foster!
SUPPORT
We know carers provide their best care when they feel well supported, so we offer the highest level of professional, practical and therapeutic support.
SUPERVISING SOCIAL WORKERS & MANAGEMENT TEAM
Our experienced Supervising Social Workers provide close, consistent support, with a carer-to-social-worker ratio that allows more time for responsive guidance. They support carers day to day, liaise with Local Authority social workers and other professionals, and keep each child’s needs central to planning and decision-making.
Our managers provide additional oversight, guidance and support, helping carers navigate complex situations and maintain high standards of child-focused, therapeutic practice. Together, our social workers and managers provide 24/7 support, 365 days a year, including evenings, weekends and bank holidays.
Our team also includes an experienced GMC registered General Practitioner as an in house medical advisor who is available to provide Health related training and medical advice and sign posting.
Ofsted says …
“Managers and staff are enthusiastic and passionate about children, young people and foster carers”.
“The fostering agency encourages diversity. This is reflected in the wide range of characteristics and experiences of foster carers, children, young people and staff within the organisation”.
“The fostering agency encourages diversity. This is reflected in the wide range of characteristics and experiences of foster carers, children, young people and staff within the organisation”.
Advice & Development
HOME FINDING TEAM
Our skilled Home Finding Team meets newly approved carers to explain matching and understand your household, strengths and preferences. We look beyond practical compatibility to consider each child’s emotional needs, identity, relationships and long-term stability, helping to create the best possible match.
THERAPEUTIC SUPPORT TEAM
Our Therapeutic Support Team includes our Head of Therapeutic Support, Psychotherapist, Senior Therapeutic Support staff and Education Support Officer. The team provides therapeutic training, workshops, home-based and practical support, including appointments, transport, activities and one-to-one work with young people. They help carers understand the meaning behind behaviour, respond with empathy and consistency, and support children to feel safe, understood and able to develop trusting relationships.
FOSTER CARE ALLOWANCE
We recognise the commitment, skill and responsibility involved in fostering and are proud to offer fostering fees that are amongst the highest in the country. Payments vary according to placement type, the child’s age and individual needs, and are paid monthly.
We also provide birthday, festival, holiday and furniture allowances, alongside annual and referral bonuses, helping ensure carers feel valued and financially supported.
TRAINING & ONGOING DEVELOPMENT
We are passionate about high-quality training because knowledgeable, reflective carers are better equipped to understand and respond to children’s needs. Approved carers have access to a comprehensive free training programme and bespoke learning tailored to carers and the children they support. Our training is practical and relevant, helping you develop your confidence, therapeutic understanding and fostering skills throughout your career.
EVENTS & ACTIVITIES
Held throughout the year for children and foster carers to enjoy together, including school holiday day trips, children’s parties, annual summer and Christmas celebrations, foster carer afternoon teas, support groups and listening circles. We also provide activities that build children and young people’s confidence, life skills and independence, such as cooking classes and other age-appropriate opportunities.
YOU’LL BE JOINING THE IDEAL FOSTERING FAMILY
Our foster carers deeply value being part of the family, where carers and staff work together in partnership with a shared sense of purpose. At the heart of our family is a shared commitment to therapeutic, child-focused care, helping every child feel safe, understood and supported to achieve the best outcomes for their future.
