Foster Carer

Could You Be a Focus Foster Carer?

Join Our Vibrant Service as a Focus Foster Carer

£39,104 - £42,848 per year

(made up of £540 per week skills payment + £212-£284 weekly allowances, tax-free)

Do you have a spare room, live in Salford (Greater Manchester or within a commutable distance) are you aged 21 or over, and do you want to use your professional experience in a different but truly life-changing way?

We’re looking for people with the heart, resilience, and skills to make a real difference as a Focus Foster Carer.

What is Focus Fostering?

Focus Fostering is a specialist form of fostering for children aged 5-18 who need solo placements, living within your home. These young people often have complex needs and may have experienced several moves before.

It can be challenging — but it’s also one of the most rewarding roles you’ll ever do. You’ll be giving a child not just a home, but the chance to heal, stabilise, and thrive.

What Skills Do You Need?

If you’ve worked in:

• Residential care, education, SEN, social work, CAMHS, counselling, youth work, or with children with disabilities — you may already have the transferable skills we’re looking for.
  
  

We value people who can offer:

✔ Emotional resilience and calm under pressure

✔ Experience managing challenging behaviour

✔ A trauma-informed or attachment-aware approach

✔ Support for children with SEN or mental health needs

✔ Patience, empathy, and consistency

✔ Strong communication and teamwork

What Support Will You Get?

You’ll never do this alone. As a Focus Foster Carer, you’ll receive:

• 24/7 support with a dedicated on-call service
• Fortnightly visits as a minimum from your own social worker
• Full training and preparation programme
• Peer support groups and a strong network of carers
• Regular family fun days and community events
• Support and skills sessions including therapeutic parenting training
  
  

Plus:

Fostering Network membership

Blue Light Card

Company Shop membership

Why Join Us?

This is fostering with purpose — where your professional experience and personal commitment can transform a young person’s future.

Whether you’re moving on from shift work in residential care, looking for a new path after social work, or wanting to use your skills from teaching or counselling in a fresh way, fostering could be the next step for you.

This is more than fostering — it’s a professional role with real rewards.

Interested?

To find out more or express your interest.

To Apply

If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for Salford City Council (Fostering), please click apply to be redirected to our website to complete your application