Foster Carer - Occupational Therapist

Title: Step-Forward Foster Carer - Make a Real Difference to a Young Person's Life

Location: Cheshire East

Employer: Cheshire East Council

Salary: £1000 per week per child, plus additional payments for the child (child allowance, holidays, birthday and religious celebrations)

Employment Type: Full-time | Self-employed
Sector: Social Care | Education | Healthcare

A Role That Changes Lives

Step-Forward Fostering is a rewarding role that gives children leaving residential care the chance to move into a safe and nurturing home where they belong. As a Step-Forward Foster Carer with Cheshire East Council, you will welcome a child or sibling group into your home to live as part of your family, offering them stability, guidance and the consistency they need at a key time in their young lives.

Many children will have experienced trauma, disruption or separation. By fostering with Cheshire East Council, you can help them remain close to their communities, schools, friends and extended family while building the skills and confidence to move forward.

If you've worked as an Occupational Therapist-helping individuals develop skills for daily living and independence then you may already have the patience, resilience, and understanding needed to become a Foster Carer.

Step-Forward Fostering allows you to apply your professional or personal skills within your home, helping children experience the security and belonging of family life.

You will be supported at every stage, with specialist training, regular supervision and guidance from social workers and therapists, alongside access to peer networks and a dedicated local fostering team.

What the Role Involves:

* Full-time care for a child or sibling group moving from residential care
* Providing stability, routine, and reassurance within a nurturing home
* Supporting the child's emotional, behavioural, and social development
* Working closely with social workers, therapists and other professionals
* Keeping clear records and providing therapeutic, relationship-based care

* Helping children maintain family relationships through Family Time

Who Can Apply to Become a Step-Forward Foster Carer?

We welcome enquiries from individuals and/or couples who:

* Are aged 21 or over (with no upper age limit)
* Have the legal Right to Work in the United Kingdom (see definition below)
* Can provide full-time care for a child or children in their home (at least one carer must be present on a full-time basis if applying as a couple)
* Have a spare bedroom or bedrooms that can be dedicated to fostering
* Ideally have experience supporting children, young people, or adults, particularly those with complex needs or challenging behaviours

Do You Have the Right to Work in the United Kingdom?

To foster, you must be allowed to work in the United Kingdom. This includes:

* British or Irish citizens
* People settled or pre-settled under the European Union Settlement Scheme
* Those with certain visas or indefinite leave to remain
* Anyone with the right to live and work in the United Kingdom

Please Note: You will need to show original documents before you can begin your application to foster.

What you can expect as a Step-Forward Foster Carer with Cheshire East Council:

* In recognition of the complexity and level of commitment required, £52,000 per annum (£1,000 per week) will be paid, with a 50% retainer payable pre-placement.
* Weekly age-related fostering allowance for the child*
* Payment for birthday, holiday and religious/cultural celebration*
* 50% skill-based retainer paid from date of approval until child placed

Additionally, you will receive access to:

* Specialist therapeutic training tailored to your experience
* Other benefits and discounts such as access to Blue Light Card & FosterTalk
* 24/7 wraparound support & 14-nights of funded respite each year

*In-line with age related DFE rates and weekly payment increased annually in line with inflation

Take the First Step into Step-Forward Fostering with Cheshire East Council
This is your chance to change a young person's life and experience the profound reward of knowing you helped them believe in their future.

This initiative forms part of regional Foster4 recruitment.

Please Note: Progression is subject to background checks, assessment, and full fostering panel approval.