Foster Carer

Are you seeking a career change that brings both emotional rewards and the chance to make a lasting impact? Becoming a foster carer with Compass Fostering allows you to change the lives of vulnerable children and young people by providing them with safe, stable, and loving homes.

We are actively looking for compassionate individuals from all walks of life to join our fostering family in and around Southampton.

About the Role

Foster carers provide a safe, nurturing and stable environment for children and young people who are unable to live with their birth families, welcoming them for stays that last a few days to several years.

Fostering can be a transformative experience—for both the child and the foster carer. You’ll be part of a dedicated team helping children who, for various reasons, are unable to live with their birth families. Whether it's short-term fostering lasting a few days or a long-term commitment that lasts years, foster carers play a crucial role in helping children develop, heal, and thrive.

Fostering involves:

• Acting as a role model
• Teaching everyday tools and skills, such as cooking
• Making sure children regularly attend school and are supported in their learning
• Offering new experiences, such as holidays and other activities
• Supporting children's physical, mental and emotional well-being
• Keeping track of their progress and achievements in records
• Encouraging safe and positive contact with birth families whenever possible

Qualifications and Experience

No prior fostering experience is necessary.

Compass Fostering always want to bring out the potential in our applicant foster carers rather than look for areas to rule people out. We provide comprehensive training, including a three-day ‘Skills to Foster’ course, to help you build the skills and confidence needed for this rewarding role.

Support and Benefits

Fostering is a career, and we’re here to support you every step of the way. At Compass Fostering, we offer:

• 24/7 support from friendly local staff who get to know you, your family and the young people you are looking after.
• A generous regular fostering allowance that values and recognises your skills along with tax exclusions.
• Comprehensive foster care training.
• Being part of our friendly, local, supportive network, which meets regularly to share information and learn from each other.
• Focus group meetings and National Carer Forums to hear your views.
• Regular support and supervision with your own dedicated Supervising Social Worker.
• Planned days out for fostering families including, boat trips, picnics, theme parks, zoos and more!
• Automatically signed up with a membership to independent support service FosterTalk.
• For those waiting for a fostering arrangement, we offer a £155 per-week payment to help ease any financial concerns.

Allowance & Payments

Our children are at the heart of everything we do, which is why we never want financial constraints to get in the way of providing them with a loving home. As a foster carer with us, you will benefit from weekly foster care payments that cover the daily living cost of your foster child and a professional fee for yourself.

Depending on the child’s needs and the type of fostering you do, you can expect payments between £427 and £784 per week.

Additional allowances may be provided for children with complex needs, such as parent and child or therapeutic fostering.

Next Steps

Take the first step by contacting Compass Fostering for an informal chat. Our team is happy to answer any questions and guide you through the process of becoming a foster carer.