Disability fostering

Fostering placements for children with disabilities.

Children with disabilities

We require short term and long term fostering placements for children with disabilities. Children may have a variety of physical or developmental needs.

The sort of help that the children need is:

  • Help with physical disabilities like mobility issues.
  • Help with learning difficulties and social disorders such as those on the Autistic Spectrum.
  • Sensory impairments (e.g. partial sight).

The sort of help that children with complex health need are:

  • Special medication and dealing with things like epilepsy.
  • Help with breathing, eating and other daily functions like using the toilet and bathing.

Of course, some children need help in both categories.

Fees, training and support

We recognise that we are expecting families to undertake a challenging task and in recognition of the fact we pay a professional fee, plus maintenance allowance for the young person or child.

We provide training and on going support, both by social workers and other carers in the scheme. You will not be alone in caring for the young person/child, but will work as part of a team.

We provide a wrap-around package of support, training and relief care.

Things to think about

We do not need carers to possess all the qualities or skills required for the job at the beginning. We are looking for resourceful people who want to work with young people and children and who are keen to learn new skills in order to do this.

It is important to bear in mind that these young people or children do have complex needs. Training will be provided to help understand their needs, you may also require special training from a suitably qualified medical professional. 

Fostering involves working closely with professionals and sometimes the birth families, following an agreed plan to support families and to rebuild relationships.

What do I need to care for a child with disabilities?

We don’t expect carers to have all the skills at the beginning - just the motivation to work with us, and an understanding of the complexity of the task.

Requirements:

  • confidence and a positive attitude
  • willing to have regular training
  • ability to work with others and attend medical/ educational meetings as required
  • commitment to work with children in the long term and short term

If you are interested in caring for children with disabilities, then contact us and we can give you more detailed information about the scheme, the children and the young people to be placed.