Fostering in South West
Sunbeam Fostering Agency
Become a foster carer in South West with Sunbeam Fostering Agency.
Do you live in South West? And looking for a local fostering agency with whom you want to become a foster carer?
We offer up to £700 per child per week with excellent support in South West
Sunbeam provides local support for carers in South West and surrounding areas through our registered office in Portsmouth and our head office in Langley, Slough. This means you will have a supervising social worker local to you and available to support you if you need them. Also, we have support team available on a 24/7/365 basis who will help and support you while fostering with Sunbeam.
Getting started with fostering
How to become a foster carer in South West
There are a number of things involved in the process. For example, local authority check, police check, and medical checks etc. Normally this can take from 3-6 months depending on how quickly we receive these checks and other related actions to become a foster parent.
You will receive full support at all stages and help with anything you are unsure of.
Fostering in South West
Reason why you should choose us
At Sunbeam, we are proud of our standards and the support and training that we provide to our foster carers. We are driven by children’s needs.
Don’t hesitate, contact us for better help and services. Call us at 020 8799 0930 write to us at info@sunbeamfostering.com
Simple process
Steps to become a foster carer
The process of becoming a foster carer is summarised below. Click each step for information to be displayed below. You will receive full support at all stages and help with anything you are unsure of.
01
Make an Enquiry
Call us or complete an online enquiry form Sunbeam will contact you for an initial discussion and arrange for an enquiry form to be completed over the phone or online.
02
Initial Home Visit
A worker from Sunbeam will visit to discuss fostering with you further, to gather some background information about you and your family and to check you have appropriate bedroom space in your home and discuss any other Health & Safety related issues.
03
Preparation & Training
You will receive specific training through a three day training course to prepare you to foster and to achieve “Skills to Foster”. Attending courses will also allow you to meet other carers, share experiences and learn more about foster care.
04
Approved
The Agency decision maker will have the final decision regarding your approval. Once approved you will then be a registered carer with Sunbeam Fostering Agency, and be able to take “looked after children” and young people into your home and care for them.
Become a Foster Carer South West
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.
Fostering in South West
What foster carers are saying
This job is probably one of my favourites. Every day is different, every day has new challenges and every day has new rewards. It’s not always easy but each challenge you go through with the child bonds you and makes you both stronger for each other.
Hannah and Kashif
We have been fostering for the last 8 years and feel proud to be a part of the Sunbeam family. At the beginning, we thought it’s a tough job, but the skills to foster initial training and the whole assessment procedure to become a carer was interesting, and it gave us both a broad insight into both the tough and rewarding side of what we were likely to encounter.
Asma
“Fostering is a rewarding experience as it allows you to actually make a difference for a child/young person. I feel happy being able to make such a difference whether it is for one day or several years.”
Karen Thorn
“When they told me that I had been approved for fostering, well I just cried. I was an emotional wreck and was so happy that I just couldn’t hold back my very, very, happy tears.”
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.
Fostering in South West
FAQ – FOSTERING
We have answered a few common questions about fostering
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.
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.
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.
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.
