Why foster with Hillingdon?
Rated by Ofsted as 'Outstanding', our experienced and dedicated fostering team provides practical and emotional support, plus all the necessary training and mentoring needed, to all our foster carers throughout their journey.
Support and benefits we offer our foster carers
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Induction programme for new foster carers
- Different support payments (based on the needs of the child)
- standard support - for children who display typical needs and behaviours of a child who has experienced trauma and requires standard care and attention (£500 per child, per week)
- enhanced support - for children who display more challenging behaviours or have specific emotional, educational, or health needs (£1,000 per child, per week)
- specialised support - for children with significant and complex needs and children moving from residential or secure accommodation (£1,500 per child, per week)
- A 25% council tax reduction
- Utilities allowance of £1,000 per year (to help with gas and electricity payments and checks)
- Merlin Platinum Pass (unlimited access to a range of UK attractions, including Alton Towers Resort and LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort, Warwick Castle, and SEA LIFE Centres
- Blue Light Card Membership (a range of discounts across sectors, including retail, travel, restaurants and entertainment)
- Start-up equipment (where applicable)
- Regular placements well matched to you and your family
- Regular visits and phone calls from your supervising social worker
- Close working with our dedicated team of clinical psychologists
- Out-of-hours support during evenings and weekends
- Support from other council services, such as education, health and wellbeing
- Access to fostering support groups, where carers meet and share their experiences, get advice and network
- An extensive range of learning, development and training opportunities
- Free membership with Fostering Network (opens new window), which offers a 24-hour helpline, discounts for foster carers, and much more
- Access to Fosterline - a government-run helpline, where you can go to get answers to your questions (delivered by FosterTalk on behalf of the Department of Education)
- Regular organised events, including our annual Foster Carers' Celebration
