Providing fostering and supported lodgings in Bury, Greater Manchester
If you’re looking for information about fostering, look no further than our experienced team in Bury, Greater Manchester. At Foster with Bury, we’re always looking to improve our services, which is why we support our foster carers in all kinds of care. Whether you’re providing short-term or long-term care for children or supported lodgings for vulnerable young people, we’re here to help. Get in touch today for more information.
Myth busters
We are determined to show people they really can foster, which is why we have addressed and debunked several myths that often put people off applying.
“I’m single”
A foster carer’s relationship status is not an important factor when fostering, as long as you can provide a loving, safe and stable environment for a child.
“I don't own my own house”
You don't need to own your own home to become a foster carer. If you rent, all we ask is that you receive written permission that you can use the house for fostering.
“I can't drive”
You don’t need to drive to be able to foster, but you would need to consider the needs of the child and getting them to and from school or any supervisions.
“I don't have my own children”
You do not need to have children to be able to become a foster carer. However, it is important to portray the relevant childcare experience that you have.
“I am from the LGBT community”
Your sexual orientation does not affect your ability to foster a child. As long as you can support a child and provide a loving, safe environment for them.
“I am too old”
"There is no upper age limit to becoming a foster carer, as long as you have the time, commitment, and energy to look after a child or young person and change a life.”
Short-term fostering
When a child or young person first comes into the care of the local authority, they are placed with short-term foster carers. This placement can last from just a few days up to two years. Short-term foster care is important to help support families through crisis, family breakdown, or to protect a child from harm on a time-limited basis. Short-term carers can be family, friends, or any kind of approved foster carer.
Long-term fostering
In circumstances where a child cannot return to live with their birth family, long-term foster care is intended to provide permanent care throughout childhood and beyond. Family and friends often become foster carers, but approved carers are also suitable for long-term placements.
Supported lodgings
Suitable for young people aged 16 to 21 years old, supported lodgings offer temporary accommodation in a home environment. Intended to give them the best start in life, this service also includes basic skills training, such as cooking, cleaning, laundry, budgeting, and setting up bank accounts. We provide support for young people who are either working or in education or apprenticeships.
As a supported lodgings provider, you can carry on with your daily routine without the responsibilities that come with babies or young children, who require more full-on care in the home, plus school runs and childcare during the school holidays. Additionally, we will support you with £200 per week and ongoing training.
Family and friends
Short-term or permanent foster care is usually offered by people related to or previously known to a child. In this case, carers who are family and friends may assume parental responsibility for a child by applying for a Special Guardianship Order.
Respite care
Respite care is available to support children and their carers in an established foster placement with minimal disruption.
Unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC)
An Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Child (UASC) is a person under the age of 18 years old who is applying for asylum, and is separated from both parents, and is not in the care of a guardian.
Transferring to bury
We are always happy to hear from experienced carers who may be interested in transferring to Bury Council. The transfer process for an approved carer with a neighbouring authority or independent agency usually takes 4 months from the initial contact, subject to all satisfactory checks being completed.
If you offer long-term care, we will support you throughout the process with:
Transferring to Bury
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A telephone advice line
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Regular supervision with a dedicated allocated supervising social worker
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Financial remuneration
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Access to our multi-agency professional team
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Extensive training package
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Local placements
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Help to keep children local to the community
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Free regular support groups and events
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Children who foster support group also extended to grandchildren
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Buddy scheme
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Opportunities for growth
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Fostering Network Membership for impartial advice and Max Discount Card for family savings
