Five fostering roles available in Swindon to help stem shortfall

By Claire Dukes - 16 August 2017

FamilyCommunity

A career in foster care can be extremely rewarding, as well as offering a competitive fee and paid holidays, and Five Rivers are in need of five fostering placements in the Swindon area.

You could make a huge difference to the life of a child, and help tackle a shortfall of 480 carers in the South West and 7,180 across the UK.

People from all walks of life can become foster carers as long as they are over 21 years of age, including single people, co-habiting couples, same sex couples and people living in rented accommodation.  The only requirement is a spare room for each foster child.

Johan Strydom, fostering service manager at Five Rivers Child Care for the South West, describes five various career options available to aspiring foster carers in Swindon:

"1. Short break (respite) care: Like any job, it’s important to rest and recuperate after a challenging period at work. As a respite carer, you would take foster children on short term placements – these could last a single evening, day, or weekend – to help support parents or carers by offering them a break.

"2. 28-Day emergency placements: This type of care is intended to bridge the gap between foster placements and reunification with friends, family, or returning home. The placements are well suited to those previously employed in roles such as nursing or in residential care, which involve easily transferable skills and qualities.

"3. Long term foster placements: ‘Long-term’ foster care is as much about a specific care plan for the foster child as it is the longer period of time the child is in care. It also means a family can be reassured that a child will stay with them for a long period, meaning this type of placement is often preferred by foster families with biological children.

"4. Specialist fostering: If you have previous experience working with children with specific care requirements, be they special educational needs, medical needs or significant behavioural challenges, you could be perfectly suited to specialist fostering.

"5. Head office: Working in our offices, your support would help ensure senior decision makers have the necessary time to direct the future of Five Rivers.  You will face new challenges day-by-day, each requiring the application of strong organisational skills and adaptability, and the ability to think proactively under pressure."

For more information about a career in fostering call Five Rivers on 01722 622492 or click here.

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