Fostering
Free information events
We hold regular drop-in sessions for anyone interested in becoming a foster carer for Barnet. The next sessions to take place will take place as follows.
Monday 30 January 2012
- Barnet House, Whetstone, N20 0EJ (appointments available between 9.30am and 12 noon)
- please call the Fostering Service on 0208 359 6274 or email fostering@barnet.gov.uk to book a slot
Wednesday 15 February 2012
- Barnet House, Whetstone, N20 0EJ (appointments available between 3pm and 6pm)
- please call the Fostering Service on 0208 359 6274 or email fostering@barnet.gov.uk to book a slot
Thursday 23 February 2012
- Barnet House, Whetstone, N20 0EJ (appointments available between 12 noon and 2pm)
- please call the Fostering Service on 0208 359 6274 or email fostering@barnet.gov.uk to book a slot
Details on how to get to Barnet House are shown on our Council offices web page.
You can also speak to us at the following event:
Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual and Transgender (LGBT) Adoption and Fostering Event
The North London Adoption and Fostering Consortium is organising an information session on Tuesday 21 February at Ku Bar, in the heart of Soho, between 5.30pm-7.30pm. This event coincides with national LGBT Adoption and Fostering week (20-26 February) and will give anyone thinking about adoption or fostering the chance to find out more about the process of becoming an adoptive parent or foster carer. Gay and lesbian adoptive parents and foster carers will be present to talk about their experiences, and guests will have the opportunity to have an informal chat with social workers.
To find out more and book your place, please visit their website.
How you can make a difference?
Fostering is a means of providing care in your home for children or young people who cannot live with their parents. Most of these children will eventually return to their families.
The length of time for which they need to be fostered can range from a few days to several months, or in a few cases for several years. Fostering can make a real difference to children’s lives. Caring for a child or young person in this way can be immensely rewarding.
“I am reminded daily why I do this job. When the kids give me a hug and tell me spontaneously that they like living here; when I use my skills to develop a child’s self-esteem, giving them the confidence to say what’s wrong; by being a significant part of the team that helps the child; when I have one of those ‘nice moments’ like realising the house is filled with laughter, singing and relaxed children and when I see children move on positively.” Karen Landsman, Foster Carer for London Borough of Barnet
A recent Barnet press article shows how other Barnet foster carers have made a difference.
If you feel you could make a difference to a child’s life, please contact the Recruitment and Training Team (details on the left) or come along to one of our information events (see above for details).
Who can be a foster carer?
Single people or couples can foster, with or without children of their own. Carers can be heterosexual, lesbian or gay. We are looking for people who can offer a secure, safe, stable home for children and young people. You need to have time and space in your life for a foster child. Any child you care for will need attention and nurturing in order for them to adapt to having to leave their own family.
We need carers from all racial and religious groups to reflect the diversity of the children in Barnet’s care. You need to have a spare bedroom for a child to stay in. However, children up to 24 months can share a foster carer's bedroom.
How would I cope with the extra financial commitment of a foster child?
Barnet foster carers receive a maintenance allowance to cover the costs of caring for a child and a skill based fee as a reward for the care they provide. The total amount ranges from £358 to £523 a week per child. Special payments are also made for birthdays, family holidays and winter festivals.
The maintenance allowance is £179 a week for a child under 12 and £237 for a child over 12. The skill based fee ranges from £179 to £286 a week per child. There are extensive tax allowances for foster carers. and income from fostering does not affect eligibility to any means tested benefits.
Will I receive training and support if I need it?
Foster carers receive thorough training before fostering and ongoing training while fostering tailored to the specific needs of the foster carer. This training is designed to enable you and the young people you foster get the best possible experience from their time with you.
All carers have their own social worker who is there for day to day advice and support. There is also a 24 hour duty social worker for out of hours assistance. Equally important is our network of experienced foster carers who are always there to lend encouragement, friendship and help.
Why do some children need fostering?
A child may need to be fostered for a variety of reasons; an illness in the family where emergency care is needed, a child may have suffered abuse or neglect, or a breakdown in family relations. Sometimes children arrive unaccompanied from abroad.
How to find out more
- Contact the Recruitment and Training Team using the contact details opposite.
- Fostering information pack
(PDF 2MB)
To access a copy of the latest adoption and fostering inspection report please go to Ofsted (external link).
Fostering Service Statement of Purpose
Our statement of purpose(PDF:176KB) sets out our aims and objectives and how we deliver our service.
Children, young people and families
Email this pageLast modified by: Lauren Burbidge on 20/01/2012