If you are approved as a Connect foster carer, there is an abundance of support available to you.

You will be allocated a supervising social worker (SSW) who is dedicated to providing support to you throughout your fostering journey with us. Your SSW will support you in meetings pertaining to the child in your care and be available for advice and guidance. Your SSW will also meet with you regularly to provide you with supervision.

You have access to bespoke training provided by Connect as well as support groups.

Connect foster carers are also provided with a membership to Foster Talk, who give advice, guidance and support services.

It’s still possible for you to continue working in some capacity. This will depend on your individual circumstances and will need to be discussed with one of our social workers. For example if you are caring for young children, our advice is that there should be at least one carer available at home.

Foster carers are classed as self-employed which means you’re entitled to tax relief on your income. You could pay very little, or no tax or national insurance, depending on your own financial circumstances.

At Connect, we aim to complete the assessment process within four months. This is dependent on many factors including satisfactory statutory checks and references.