As part of the Foster for Plymouth journey, our aspiration is to have all our care experienced children living with our foster families. There is an increase in needing foster families to support teenagers. Many of our young people have aspirations to be part of a family, to have life chances as our own children have, and despite what they sometimes say or what their behaviour may be, they do want to be loved and cared for. Many of our young people go onto achieve really great things like attending university, or college, have hobbies and interests that lead into a career or vocation. Some of our young people’s achievements are simply staying healthy and managing their mental well being. There are lots of small and big things that foster families can help grow and develop by just being there as somebody who cares. We are looking for caring people who have the space and energy to be part of a young person’s life. Many of our young people stay with foster families beyond 18 years and maintain relationships into adulthood and beyond.
Many of our young people will need that bit of extra guidance and support and we want to ensure our carers see their role as a vocation and our fostering allowances ensure that this is possible. Fostering allowances are age-related and the carer allowance would generally be at an enhanced rate according to the needs of the child or young person. As a foster care for Plymouth City Council, you could be receiving an annual income of £27,456, depending on the needs of the child.
We provide wrap-around support to the foster family that includes virtual support from our Virtual School, Children in Care Health Team, a relationship with your Supervising Social Worker and Childs Social Worker. We have a great team approach that includes access to our Child and Adolescent Mental Health Team when needed. We promote a therapeutic and empathic approach to parenting our children and young people and training are available to provide the skills and understanding to achieve this. We all have lived experiences and we all need somebody to help us, grow us and care for us. Is this you?
If you would like to know more about Fostering a Teenager here in Plymouth then please give us a call on 01752 308762
