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Become a Step Forward Foster Carer – A Life-Changing Opportunity for Youth Offending Officers and Youth Offending Workers
Foster with TACT Fostering and Bury Council
Are you a Youth Offending Officer or Youth Offending Worker who is passionate about supporting young people to overcome challenges and make positive changes? You already have the dedication, resilience, and commitment needed to make a profound difference in a young person’s life.
We are looking for compassionate, resilient individuals like you to become Step Forward Foster Carers — offering a safe, nurturing home to a young person transitioning from residential care. This is a unique opportunity to take the skills you’ve developed in your role and make a lasting, personal impact.
This could be your most rewarding role yet — offering not just care, but a future full of hope.
What is Step Forward Fostering?
Step Forward Fostering is a pioneering project that helps young people who have faced trauma, loss, and instability transition from residential care into a caring family environment.
These young people aren’t just looking for a place to stay — they need someone like you: a supportive adult who understands their needs, builds trust, and provides the consistency they’ve often lacked.
As a Step Forward Foster Carer, you’ll be part of a supportive team, working alongside professionals who are there to guide you every step of the way. You’ll never be alone on this journey.
What You’ll Receive:
We understand that caring for a young person with complex needs is a significant commitment. That’s why we provide comprehensive support — both emotionally and financially.
Specialist Support:
- Your own Senior Practitioner offering regular guidance and supervision
- A Family Wellbeing Worker to support you and your foster child
- A Hub Carer providing up to 28 days of planned short breaks every year
- 24/7 Out-of-Hours Support, ensuring you’re never alone
- Access to a network of other Step Forward Carers for peer support
- Ongoing training in trauma-informed care and understanding neurodevelopmental needs
- Therapeutic and psychological support to build on your existing skills
Financial Package:
We recognise the commitment it takes to support a young person with complex needs and offer a generous financial package to help you focus fully on providing stability and care.
- £1,052 per week while you have a child placed with you (around £54,704 a year)
- £408 per week retainer between placements (up to £21,216 a year)
- Extra allowances for birthdays, holidays, and cultural celebrations
- Tax exemptions specifically designed for foster carers
Is This You?
We are looking for Youth Offending Officers and Youth Offending Workers who are:
- Passionate about making a difference beyond their current role
- Skilled in building positive, trusting relationships with young people who may have complex needs
- Resilient, empathetic, and committed to providing stability
- Ready to transfer their professional skills to a family-based setting
If this sounds like you, we would love to hear from you!
Please note: Ideally, applicants should not have children under 16 living at home, but we consider each family situation individually.
To Be Eligible, You’ll Need:
- Experience working with young people, particularly those involved with the criminal justice system or at risk
- Full-time availability and a spare bedroom
- A willingness to complete our professional training
- The right to work in the UK
Take the next step in your career and become a Step Forward Foster Carer. Your experience as a Youth Offending Officer or Worker could be the foundation for a truly life-changing role.
