Become an intensive foster carer

July pop-up sessions to learn about intensive fostering

If you’re interested in intensive fostering you can hear from our experienced fostering team at the pop-up sessions below.

Role of an intensive foster carer

Intensive fostering is a full-time role where you support children and young people with complex needs. They must live in a nurturing family environment and be supported by intensive foster carers so they can build strong and lasting relationships.

They need extra specialist care until they:

• are able to return home
• access mainstream foster placements
• live alone

This usually happens within 2 years.

Intensive fostering can be very rewarding for both the child and the carer. 

You’ll manage the needs of children and young people to help them form positive attachments. This allows them to feel safe, secure, and able to develop positive ambitions for the future. 

You must accept any matched placements. You’ll need to be available for emergencies if you’re not already caring for a child or young person and provide support to other foster carers.

Learn about other types of fostering care and placements.

What you receive

Intensive fostering is a full-time role and you’ll receive £56,159.72 per year to reflect your skills and dedication.

You also receive extra funding for the children and young people’s:

• maintenance
• holiday
• birthday
• Christmas allowances

You’ll receive training to prepare you for your role. Our carers also have strong support networks and you’ll receive regular support from a dedicated social worker and access to support groups.

Apply to become an intensive foster carer

To become an intensive foster carer you:

• must be aged 21 or over
• can be in a relationship or single
• must have a suitable home. We’ll visit to make sure it has appropriate space and provision for children or young people

If you’re a couple applying, you’ll need to choose 1 main carer. The main carer cannot do any other form of paid employment. You’ll need to be available to provide intensive care to the child or young person and be committed to your role.

We assess all prospective foster carers before they can start fostering. This is to make sure you meet the criteria.

You’ll have: 

• an initial home visit by a Fostering Social Worker
• to attend 6 skills to foster training sessions
• to attend training in the areas of trauma, attachment and safeguarding. This will help you support the emotional, psychological and social development of the children and young people in your care
• to apply for the Intensive Fostering role
• to complete a Fostering Assessment and attend a fostering panel 

If you want to find out more and register as a prospective foster carer contact the Fostering Adoption Team call +44 (0)1534 443970 or email fosteringandadoption@health.gov.je.