What We Offer Our Carers
Dudley council’s fostering team is dedicated to placing the borough’s looked after children with quality foster carers who feel appreciated and valued.
Although fostering agencies can place children on Dudley’s behalf, the fostering team is committed to placing as many children as possible with Dudley Council’s internal foster carers, in placements supported 24 hours a day by our own dedicated social workers.
By doing this the fostering team can make sure placements are stable and provide the very best environment for the borough’s looked after children.
Our fostering service plays an essential role in making sure Dudley’s children are safe and healthy and have the opportunity to enjoy life. We work with foster carers and other professionals to make sure we provide the best for our children and young people.
We also:
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provide a financial package which includes an allowance for the child or children, carers fee and a skills payment scheme
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Central Role in the Child’s Network – Ensure our foster carers are recognised as professionals and valued as core members of the team surrounding and supporting each child..
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Give our foster carers access to senior management and have regular meetings with fostering team leadership.
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Buddy System for New Foster Carers – Pair each new carer with an experienced foster carer who can provide practical guidance, emotional support, and a listening ear during the first year, helping them navigate challenges and build confidence in their role
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provide financial support for equipment such as pushchairs, car seats, cots, beds and bedroom furniture with additional allowances for a child’s birthday, Religious events and holidays
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offer 24 hour support, 365 days a year.
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have a dedicated team of social workers
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allocate a dedicated fostering supervising social worker to support you
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offer training to prepare you to become a carer
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provide an on-going training programme to support you
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provide KEEP training which is a positive parenting training programme to help carers improve skills and resilience when looking after children
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give access to peer support and mentoring
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give access to foster carer support groups, where we show appreciation to our carers.
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Monthly newsletters to keep our carers updated on the fostering in Dudley and local services.
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give our carers a detailed handbook to support them in their role
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As a not-for-profit organisation, our focus is on supporting foster carers and children, not generating profit, ensuring all resources go back into training, guidance, and community support.
