Foster carers make a significant difference to the lives of children and young people in Knowsley, helping them to flourish and achieve their full potential. Every day, foster carers provide safe and loving homes for children of all ages who, for a variety of reasons, are not able to live with their own family for a period of time.
Every child that comes into the care of the council is unique, so it’s important that all children can be placed somewhere that ensures their needs will be met and their lives positively impacted – even if only for a short time.
Fostering is an incredibly rewarding career.
It’s also home-based, flexible and a self-employed role that utilises your skills to make a positive impact on the lives of children and young people.
In return, you will receive a generous allowance for the care you provide along with a range of additional support including specialist training and development, an experienced ‘buddy mentor’ for all new foster carers, access to a range of support including an online foster carer hub and a named nurse to support with health and wellbeing.
In addition, foster carers and their families can benefit from group activity days and regular events, exclusive offers and discounts, free leisure membership at any Volair site, equipment (such as furniture, prams) and health and wellbeing support.
Who can foster?
There are no special qualifications or experience needed to be a great foster carer. You just need enough room in your home to accommodate a child, or children, and the love, care and patience that they need. Age, sexuality, disability, wealth and marital status are no barrier to a rewarding career as a foster carer.
In fact, we are looking for a wide variety of people from all walks of life to join our fostering family in Knowsley.
How does it work?
All foster carers in Knowsley receive fantastic support from a team of social workers, a package of ongoing training and round-the-clock advice when it’s needed. They also receive a generous allowance for the care provided – making fostering a viable career option for anyone interested in working with children.
Cllr David Lonergan, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, said “Being a foster carer provides invaluable help and support to children of all ages – from babies through to teenagers – as well as providing you with a rewarding career. Plus being part of Knowsley’s foster care family means you have a network of support around you – through other foster carers, mentors, our staff and a range of professionals including nurses. There’s a range of options available to you from being a full-time foster carer to balancing the role around your current job. If you think you can provide a loving home to a Knowsley child, please do get in touch with us.”
Interested to find out more?
Call Foster4Knowsley for an informal chat on 03456 460098, email enquiry@foster4.co.uk
You can also visit the Foster4Knowsley website for more information.
Ask about fostering at one of our Pop-Ups
Our pop- up events are a perfect way to find out more about fostering in an informal way. We run these sessions regularly at places like parks, coffee shops and family events across Knowsley and the wider region.
Over the coming weeks, you’ll find our friendly Foster4Knowsley team on the following dates:
- Sat, 2 August 11am – 5pm at Knowsley Feelgood Festival, Court Hey Park L16 3NA
- Sun, 3 August 11am – 5pm at Knowsley Flower Show, Court Hey Park L16 3NA
- Thursday 7 August, from 9.30 to 11am at Esposito’s, Court Hey Park L16 3NA
- Tuesday 12 August, from 11am to 12.30pm at Shakespeare North Playhouse, Prescot, L34 3AB
- Friday 15 August, from 10am to 11.30am at The Village Green Café, Huyton, L36 9UJ
- Friday 15 August, from 12.30pm to 2pm at Kirkby Library, L32 8XY
- Monday 18 August, from 2pm to 4pm, Volair Halewood Leisure Centre, L26 0TY
- Tuesday 19 August, from 11.30am to 1pm at The Coffee House, Huyton, L36 9UJ
- Thursday 21 August, from 11am to 3pm at Stockbridge Community Summer Fair
- Monday 25 August, from 2pm to 4pm, at Volair Halewood leisure Centre, L26 0TY
Sign up for a virtual information session
These 60 minute live sessions are run remotely and do require you to book your place.
Next session: Tuesday 12th August at 6pm. Book your place now.