As a foster carer you will be self-employed but work for either a local authority or independent agency, such as Nexus Fostering. Each fostering agency is different and it is important that you choose the one that is best for you. We have prepared this guide to help make that decision a little easier.
Agency or Local Authority
Foster agencies such as Nexus Fostering, work closely with local authorities to find suitable care for children. Generally, fostering through private foster care agencies is seen as more attractive in terms of pay and conditions, below are things that we think you should assess of your chosen foster agencies before deciding the one that is best for you.
1. Reputation
Whichever agency you choose to go with, be sure to carry out extensive research into their reputation. Check online and read reviews by current and previous carers. Why not reach out to individuals who have also previously worked at your chosen agency and see if you can arrange a one-to-one chat with them to find out more?. One thing to check for is your agency’s Ofsted rating. At Nexus Fostering we are rated Outstanding by Ofsted and pride ourselves on our reputation for providing foster carers with the best possible training and support, allowing them to provide their foster children with the best possible care.
2. Support
Support is hugely important in the field of foster care. It is important that foster carers are given the support that they need in order to be the best foster carer they can be for the child/children that they look after. Foster care can be challenging for both parents and children, so it is vital that both parties have adequate support that they can rely on during the difficult times, as well as support that is encouraging and motivating at the best of times.
3. Training
Does your chosen foster agency run regular training sessions and events? As a foster agency it is important to make sure that every foster carer is kept up to date with their training, so that they can effectively ensure the safety and wellbeing of the child in their care. At Nexus Fostering, we offer regular training to our foster carers to ensure that their skills are kept sharp and they have all the knowledge necessary to ensure that they remain among the best foster carers in the country.
4. Social opportunities (for everyone)
Foster care should be a fun and enjoyable experience for both the foster carers and children in care. That is why at Nexus Fostering we emphasise the importance of social opportunities, such as events and team building activities for our foster carers, as well as organised days for foster children.
5. Location
There is little use in trying to join a foster agency that does not operate in your area. You need to identify those that operate locally to you and then narrow down your selection from there using all of the above points. Luckily, Nexus Fostering has offices across the nation, including London, The Midlands, East Anglia and more. Take a look at all of the locations we cover and find your local Nexus Fostering agency today.
We hope this blog has been useful in helping you narrow down your search for the ideal Fostering Agency for you. If you have any questions around Nexus Fostering and our suitability as the best agency for you, then please do get in touch with us today and one of our friendly team members will be happy to help!