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Fostering in Portsmouth

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Fostering in Portsmouth Become a foster carer with an organization that truly cares about children. Fostering in Portsmouth Become a foster carer with an organization that truly cares about children.

Fostering in Portsmouth with Sunbeam Fostering Agency

Become a foster carer in Portsmouth with Sunbeam Fostering Agency.

Do you live in Portsmouth? And looking for a local fostering agency with whom you want to become a foster carer? Sunbeam Fostering Agency is one of the largest in the UK. We offer up to £700 per child per week with local staff at hand in Portsmouth.

Sunbeam provides local support for carers in Portsmouth and surrounding areas with our office located on Copnor Road. This means you will have a supervising social worker local to you and available to support you if you need them. Also, we have other support staff on a 24/7/365 basis who will help you with any help and support you need while fostering with Sunbeam.

Sunbeam Fostering Agency is one of the largest fostering agencies in the UK, we have offices all around England, please visit our contact us page to locate the nearest Sunbeam office to you.

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Sunbeam was established in 2000 in the London area. The company has grown in all major parts of the UK with dedicated staff members for each area and especially in Portsmouth to fulfill the needs of looked after children in those areas.

We currently provide services to over 50 Local Authorities in London, South East, South Central, Midlands, and North regions and are geographically expanding into further areas to recruit more foster carers for the benefit of children in care. We are accredited by the relevant professional bodies such as London Care Placements, South Central Framework Authorities, and East and West Midlands Childcare Consortia. We also hold contracts with West London Alliance, Croydon, Sutton, Lambeth, Lewisham, Suffolk, Luton, Central, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, and Hampshire, etc. We are members of NAFP, NWG, and Fostering Network. Sunbeam is also a member of Coram BAAF and FosterTalk.  All our foster carers are individual members of the FosterTalk. As one of the largest and most progressive independent fostering agencies in the UK, we provide quality family placements to children in care and competitive foster care payments to our foster carers.

Our local staff is at hand to assist with training and local support groups held and supported by our registered offices in London, Coventry, and resource centers.

To become a foster parent or if interested to know more about fostering in Portsmouth and how we can help with your fostering inquiry. Call us now or complete a callback request and a member of the recruitment team will get in touch to answer any questions you may have. As one of the largest and most progressive independent fostering agencies in the UK, we provide quality family placements to children in care and competitive foster care payments to our foster carers.

Sunbeam Can offer:

  • Dedicated local support from the social work team
  • Regular home visits
  • Free ongoing training and development programme
  • Local support groups for foster carers
  • Local support groups for children and young people
  • Family fun days and activities throughout the year
  • Annual Awards ceremonies
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Contact us on: 02087 990 930

To download our Fostering Allowance Guide, please contact our team or your SSW.

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Fostering a child is a way of providing a stable family life for children and young people who are unable to live with their birth parents. There are thousands of children across the UK, who need a foster home and a loving family. We are currently recruiting foster carers in Portsmouth and would like to hear from you if you are able to help, have a spare bedroom, time, commitment and dedication to provide the family environment these children need.

To learn more about what is fostering, what is a foster carer’s role and how to foster a child, please download our guide to foster care or contact us where our staff will talk you through the process. Our guide also gives useful information about the role of independent fostering agencies, fostering allowances and foster care payments structures with Sunbeam as well as how to foster a child in your area and the skills you need to foster children.

Fostering-child-portsmouth

Sunbeam Fostering offers highly competitive rates of up to £700 per child per week in Portsmouth. Want to start fostering in Portsmouth? Just fill in the callback request or enquiry form and our fostering recruitment specialist will get in touch as soon as possible.

Are you passionate about making a difference for children and have time and energy to give to a child?

fostering-parents

Are you passionate about making a difference for children and have time and energy to give to a child?

Every year, tens of thousands of children across the UK need foster carers while they can’t live with their own families. That means thousands of new foster carers are needed every year. Could you be one of them?

We have been operating in London and the Midlands for more than 15 years. We have experienced staff, have strong relationships with local authorities, and have offices/resource centers in many different areas

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Become a Foster Carer

Take a first step towards fostering, get in touch with our fostering team






    Who can foster?

    Your age should be at least 21 years-old (although by law you can apply to foster from 18) and to have a spare bedroom big enough for a young person to live in.

    Fostering Allowance

    As a foster carer, you will receive fostering allowance which normally covers things like food, clothing, transportation, pocket money, outings etc.

    Learn more about Sunbeam Fostering Agency

    Sunbeam Fostering Agency is one of the largest and most progressive independent fostering agencies in London and the Midlands, providing good quality and innovative family placements to children in care. Sunbeam is an established Independent Fostering Agency that provides a range of fostering placements to meet the needs of looked after children. The organization is managed by a team of experienced, qualified professionals who provide innovative and needs-led service to children and young people in foster care.

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    All About Fostering Allowance

    Sunbeam offers up to £700 fostering allowance per child per week depending on children’s needs. Additionally, we pay other allowances and our foster carers receive many other benefits while fostering with us. We welcome foster carers from a diverse range of backgrounds and all ages. We would welcome you to take the opportunity to speak to one of our existing foster carers to hear this first hand.
    Contact us on: 02087 990 930

    FAQ – FOSTERING

    Frequently asked questions Sunbeam Fostering Agency

    General

    01. I'm not married – does this matter?
    Although some Local Authorities and IFAs will allow this, at Sunbeam we think that the high quality care, which we consider every one of our children and young people need, can only be achieved by having one carer at home full time. Our carers are part of a professional and dedicated team and we offer them a remuneration and respite package that reflects their commitment.
    02. Can I still go out to work and be a foster carer?
    Although some Local Authorities and IFAs will allow this, at Sunbeam we think that the high quality care, which we consider every one of our children and young people need, can only be achieved by having one carer at home full time. Our carers are part of a professional and dedicated team and we offer them a remuneration and respite package that reflects their commitment.
    03. Do I have to own my home?
    Most people can foster, but when we consider applications we look closely at the following areas: Your ability to work in partnership with the agency Your ability to work as part of a professional team Your family lifestyle Space in your home, including sleeping arrangements Your health and background Your parenting skills, attitude and personality, including any experience of caring for children Your ability to provide a caring and nurturing environment. Things that are less important to us are your income, age, marital status and employment status. Third party references.

    Personal

    01. My partner doesn't live with me should I include them on the application form?
    Yes please, include any individuals who is a significant person in your life and will frequently visit the house.
    02. Do I have a choice in the type of child I care for?
    Children who require care must have foster carers who can meet their needs. Throughout the fostering assessment process, we work with you to identify your strengths and skills to assist you in identifying the children and young people you could care for. We will also identify specific training with Sunbeam to assist you in expanding your skills as a foster carer. Before you are approved by the Agency Decision Maker, we will have agreed on the type of child who will fit in with your family. This includes the age, gender, ethnicity and religion of potential foster children.

    Allowances

    01. How much is the Fostering Allowance?
    At the Sunbeam Fostering Agency we believe that our carers and foster children should have a good standard of living and a quality of life. Sunbeam offers up to £700 fostering allowance per child per week depending on children’s needs. Additionally, we pay other allowances and our foster carers receive many other benefits while fostering with us. This allowance is paid when children are in care and is not paid when carers do not have placements. Please ask for a copy of our Foster Carer Payment Guide which is updated and reviewed annually.
    02. What does the weekly allowance cover?
    The weekly allowance is intended to cover all the needs of each foster child, including food, clothing, travel, activities, savings and so on. We provide guidance on how money should be spent on each child, to ensure that the child has a healthy and balanced life.

    Tax Benefits

    01. Will I be taxed on the allowance?
    In April 2003, the Government introduced an income tax exemption for foster carers with an income below a set level. Allowances for looking after foster children placed with the Sunbeam are not generally taxable. However, foster carers who have multiple placements and who also work may be liable to pay some tax if their income is above the set level. For the purposes of calculating tax, Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) treat foster carers as self-employed. HMRC produce helpful guidance for Foster Carers which you can request direct from HMRC (ask for guidance IR 236).
    02. Do I qualify to claim any benefits?
    Eligibility to benefits is assessed on an individual basis by the relevant central or local government department, and the Sunbeam Fostering Agency cannot offer advice specific to benefit eligibility. The government department responsible for benefit entitlement is called the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Any queries about fostering allowances and benefit eligibility needs to be assessed by the DWP. Find information by calling 0800 882200 or visit www.dwp.gov.uk Jobcentre Plus delivers benefits to many people of working age, so contact your local office for advice. Housing Benefit, Council Tax benefits and tax credits are calculated and administered by your own Local Authority. Alternatively, seek specialist advice from an advisory agency such as the Citizen’s Advice Bureau (CAB) or a welfare rights service.
    03. Do I qualify for tax credits?
    Fostering counts as self-employment, so you may be entitled to Working Tax Credit (and also Child Tax Credit if you have children of your own). You need to get advice about Tax Credits, which takes into consideration your own individual circumstances. Eligibility and assessments for tax credits can be made by contacting 0845 300 3900.
    04. Will I have to pay National Insurance?
    All foster carers must register as self-employed, so must register to pay National Insurance contributions. You can obtain get information by calling the Newly Self-Employed Helpline on 0845 915 4515.
    Sunbeam Fostering Agency is one of the largest independent fostering agencies in the UK. We welcome foster carers from a diverse range of backgrounds and all ages.

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