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Become a Step Forward Foster Carer – A Life-Changing Opportunity for Psychological Therapists
Foster with TACT Fostering and Bury Council
Are you a Psychological Therapist who works every day to support emotional healing, resilience, and recovery? You already have the insight, compassion, and therapeutic skill set needed to make a profound difference in a young person’s life.
We’re looking for reflective, emotionally intelligent professionals like you to become Step Forward Foster Carers — offering a safe, stable home to a young person transitioning from residential care. This is your chance to apply your therapeutic understanding beyond the clinic, creating real, lasting impact in a family-based setting.
What is Step Forward Fostering?
Step Forward Fostering is a pioneering programme supporting young people who have experienced trauma, loss, and instability, helping them move from residential care into a nurturing home.
These young people aren’t just looking for shelter — they need someone like you: a consistent, supportive adult who understands trauma, emotional regulation, and the importance of secure relationships.
As a Step Forward Foster Carer, you’ll work alongside a multi-agency team with therapeutic support built into the model. You’ll never be alone on this journey.
What You’ll Receive:
Caring for a young person with complex emotional needs requires structure, insight, and support — which we provide every step of the way.
Specialist Support:
- Your own Senior Practitioner offering regular supervision and professional guidance
- A Family Wellbeing Worker to support you and the child in your care
- A Hub Carer providing up to 28 days of planned short breaks per year
- 24/7 Out-of-Hours Support
- Peer support from a network of other Step Forward Carers
- Ongoing training in trauma-informed care, attachment theory, and neurodevelopment
- Therapeutic and psychological support to complement your clinical expertise
Financial Package:
We offer a generous financial package so you can focus fully on building a therapeutic, stable home environment.
- £1,052 per week while a child is placed with you (around £54,704 per year)
- £408 per week retainer between placements (up to £21,216 annually)
- Extra allowances for birthdays, holidays, and cultural celebrations
- Tax exemptions designed specifically for foster carers
Is This You?
We are looking for Psychological Therapists who are:
- Passionate about supporting recovery and emotional development
- Skilled in understanding and managing trauma, anxiety, attachment, and behavioural challenges
- Calm, consistent, and emotionally resilient
- Ready to bring their therapeutic values into a family-based care setting
To Be Eligible, You’ll Need:
- Full-time availability and a spare bedroom
- A willingness to complete our professional training
- The right to work in the UK
If this sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you!
