Foster Carer - Prison Officer

Step-Forward Foster Carer - Supporting Children Transitioning from Residential Care

Location: Denbighshire

Salary: Up to £52,000 / £1000 per week per child, plus additional payments for the child (child allowance, holidays, birthday and other religious celebrations)
Employment Type: Full-time | Self-employed
Sector: Social Care | Education | Healthcare

A Role That Creates Lasting Change

Step-Forward Fostering with Foster Wales Denbighshire is a highly rewarding role supporting children and young people to successfully transition away from residential care into a stable, nurturing family fostering environment.

As a Step-Forward Foster Carer, you would welcome a young person into your home and provide the care, consistency, and guidance they need at a pivotal moment in their life. Many of these children have experienced trauma, loss, or disrupted relationships. With the right support, they can begin to develop the confidence and trust they need to move forward positively.

If you've worked as a prison officer, in secure units, or in offender rehabilitation, your experience in managing challenging behaviour and promoting positive change could transform a child's future.

This is an opportunity to use your experience in a more personal and lasting way, helping a young person feel safe, valued, and part of a family - your family.

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

We welcome enquiries from individuals and/or couples who:

* Are aged 21 or over (no upper age limit)
* Have the legal Right to Work in the United Kingdom
* Can provide full-time care (at least one carer available at home)
* Have at least one spare bedroom dedicated to fostering
* Have experience supporting children, young people, or vulnerable adults with complex needs
* Can offer a solo placement (no other children under 16 in the household)
* Hold a full driving licence and have access to a suitable vehicle
* Are willing to register as self-employed

Right to Work

All Foster Carers must have the legal right to work in the UK.

You automatically have the right if you are:

* British or Irish Passport Holder
* Settled Status under the EU Settlement Scheme
* Pre Settled Status under the EU Settlement Scheme
* Granted Indefinite Leave to Remain permit

You will need to prove your right to work with original documents, such as a passport or Home Office documentation before starting an application.

What Step Forward Fostering Involves

* Full-time care for a young person transitioning away from residential care
* Creating a stable, calm, and predictable home environment
* Support emotional, behavioural and social development
* Building strong, trusting relationships over time
* Working alongside social workers, therapists and other professionals
* Helping the young person stay connected to their community, education, and other support networks

Why Choose Foster Wales Denbighshire?

* £1000 per week, per child, plus additional payments (child allowance, holidays, birthday and other religious celebrations in line with DfE rates)
* Other local and national benefits and discounts including 100% Council Tax reduction, membership to FosterTalk and The Fostering Network, BlueLight Card access
* Use your skills differently to make a lasting and positive difference to a child or young person leaving residential care
* Trauma-informed training, guidance and ongoing learning opportunities (both in face-to-face and virtual)
* As part of your assessment you will complete Denbighshire Skills to Foster Training and Sanctuary Personnel's Trauma Informed Accredited Training
* Benefit from intensive support both from the local team and other carers
* Connect with other Foster Carers in the area and access peer networks

You will be part of a supportive community, with a team around you focused on helping both you and the young person succeed.

Step Forward with Foster Wales Denbighshire

This is an opportunity to make a lasting difference to a young person's life while using your experience in a meaningful and rewarding way.

Find out more about becoming a Step-Forward Foster Carer in Denbighshire.

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