Solo fostering
Solo fostering
What is the solo placement fostering scheme?
The solo placement fostering scheme works to prevent young people from being moved out of the area to live in a residential setting. It also helps young people to return to live in a family environment who are currently living in residential care which is often miles away from their family and friends. We want to support Warwickshire young people to live in and around Warwickshire, cared for by Warwickshire carers.
Complex needs
Due to their background, the needs of these young people may be higher than those of their peers in Warwickshire foster homes. They are likely to have had previous multiple placement breakdowns, been traumatised by previous experiences of abuse and neglect, and have associated emotional, behavioural and attachment difficulties.
How is solo fostering different from mainstream fostering?
This scheme is different from mainstream fostering because:
- Each foster carer will be approved for only one placement.
- As a carer household, you will not be caring for any other children.
- There will be a careful matching process which will begin towards the end of the assessment process.
- Introductions will be at the child’s pace.
- There will be an individual support package involving health and education to help you to meet the needs of the young person.
- Each placement is initially for 12 months after which it is reviewed to see whether the young person still requires the level of support a solo placement provides.
- The placement is child-focused and the placement length depends on the needs of the young person.
Solo placement scheme foster carer key responsibilities
We are committed to giving all children and young people the opportunity for family life wherever possible. As a foster carer providing a solo placement you will provide professional specialist placements for specific children and young people we are supporting in returning to the community from residential care.
One foster carer in the household will need to be at home as a full-time carer with no other employment. You will need to attend meetings and to work in partnership with a range of other professionals as a significant member of a team around the young person. In addition, you will be required to attend ongoing professional training and development courses and support groups.
The children or young people you will care for will have very specific or complex needs which may initially need a higher level of attention and supervision. They are amongst the most vulnerable and demanding and we are not able to place them alongside other children.
Children with complex needs may display the following:
- self-harm
- sexualised behaviour
- social or attachment disorders or mental health difficulties
- criminal activity
- physical or aggressive behaviour
You will need:
- significant experience of working directly with or caring for challenging young people who present a range of behaviours
- to be open-minded and have the commitment to make a difference to a young person’s life
- patience, time and commitment to meet the individual needs of the child.
Ultimately you must be able to offer stability and support, communicating with the young person to build a positive relationship to bring about long-term change.
What will you receive in return?
- You will be paid a weekly fee of £620.27 plus fostering allowances.
- You will have the support of a dedicated fostering social worker and family support worker.
- You will have two weeks paid respite.
- You will have the support of a team of professionals who are working with the young person in your care and who can offer you one to one advice and support.
- You will have access to a specialist training programme, some of which will start during your assessment period.
- When the office is closed, you will have access to 24-hour support via the foster care support line and emergency duty team.