There are many benefits to being a foster carer. Not only will you play an active role in transforming young lives, but you’ll also embark on a new, varied career where no two days are the same. But what are the practical benefits of fostering a child? Let’s have a look.
Fostering benefits you might not have considered
When we think about the benefits of fostering, we often focus on the emotional rewards and the positive impact foster carers have on children and young people. While these are the most important aspects of foster care, there are many practical benefits that are frequently overlooked. However, these benefits can enhance the fostering experience and make it one of the most fulfilling careers you can choose.
Financial benefits of fostering
No one should be held back from fostering due to financial concerns. That’s why, an important practical benefit of fostering is the pay that allows you to make a meaningful impact without financial stress.
Fostering is a full-time vocation, and at FCA Scotland, we recognise the work of our foster carers by offering a generous fostering allowance. Split into two parts: expenses of caring for a child and a professional fee, our fostering pay rewards your dedication to transforming young lives.
As a foster carer, you’ll also benefit from qualifying care relief, a special tax rule that exempts most foster carers from paying any tax on their fostering income. This will leave you with more disposable income to spend on the things that really matter to you and your family.
With allowances aside, what are some other practical benefits of fostering? Here are our top four.
Professional training and development
Many people view fostering as a selfless act of kindness, and in many ways, it is – you welcome children into your home and dedicate your life to changing theirs. However, fostering is also an exciting career opportunity, one where you’ll continuously develop and grow professionally.
At FCA Scotland, we provide ongoing training that not only equips you to make a real difference in the lives of young people but also helps you expand your knowledge and gain transferable skills that will benefit your long-term career goals.
Our mandatory training covers essential fostering topics such as child protection and teamwork, which will give you the foundational skills and confidence to foster. We also offer complementary training, where you can explore specialist subjects like complex trauma in greater depth. This advanced training will enhance your skill set and open doors to specialist fostering, such as caring for children with disabilities.
We understand that our foster carers lead busy lives, which is why we offer both face-to-face and virtual training sessions that can be scheduled around your other commitments. Together, we’ll create a personal development plan tailored to your needs, interests, and goals, ensuring you thrive at every stage of your fostering journey.
Accessible and wide-reaching support
Fostering is a unique job role, and one of its great practical benefits is the support available to you whenever you need it.
At FCA Scotland, if you have a question at 3 a.m., you can rely on our out-of-hours team to provide the answers you need. If you require a little more hands-on guidance, your supervising social worker or carer buddy will be by your side. Should the child in your care need more specialist support, our therapists and educational leads are on hand to offer their expert guidance, ensuring your whole family thrives. This is what we call our Team Parenting model.
Team Parenting is about creating a supportive environment for both you as a foster carer and the children you care for. It’s about working together to help children understand their experiences and learn that trusting, unconditional, and loving relationships are possible by building healthy, positive attachments with you.
While children are always at the centre of everything we do, we know that supported foster carers create happier homes and achieve more successful outcomes for the children in their care. That’s why when you foster with FCA Scotland, you can rest assured that you’ll receive support every step of the way.
Becoming part of a like-minded community
Although it may not seem like a practical benefit at first, becoming part of a like-minded community of fostering professionals offers more advantages than you might expect.
At FCA Scotland, we believe in the power of community. Having a strong network of individuals to lean on not only enhances your emotional support but also provides opportunities to share experiences and learn from one another. Our communities include foster carers at all stages of the fostering journey, from new foster carers to those with years of experience. Some of our foster carers even volunteer to become carer buddies, offering mentorship as you find your feet.
We host year-round events, activities, and support groups for all our foster carers, providing a chance to discuss the highs and lows of fostering and seek advice from those who ‘get it’. For example, if you’re facing a particular issue with the child in your care, other foster carers may be able to offer guidance based on their own experiences. You’ll work together to find a resolution and help refine each other’s skills and approach. An added bonus is that many of our foster carers become life-long friends, making the fostering experience even more rewarding.
Additional perks and rewards
At FCA Scotland, we truly value every single foster carer and the vital role you play in making a real difference in the lives of children and young people. That’s why, alongside your fostering allowance, you’ll also benefit from additional perks and rewards that enrich your fostering journey.
Some of these include further financial benefits, such as a £250 summer and winter bonus each year, as well as an annual appreciation bonus that increases in line with your length of service. You’ll also have access to our foster carer rewards platform, where you can enjoy incredible discounts on your weekly shop, holidays, days out, and more– plus up to £3000 for every friend you successfully refer to become a foster carer.
We host annual recognition events and a dedicated foster carer appreciation day to celebrate the incredible impact you have on young lives. To top it off, you’ll also receive a special gift or experience for each fostering milestone you reach.
Start your journey today
Whether you foster long-term, short-term, or in an emergency, you’ll reap the practical benefits of becoming a foster carer. So, if you’re ready to start your journey, please get in touch. Together, we can give children in Scotland a happy childhood and an optimistic future.
