Fostering in Croydon
In Croydon, many children and young people need urgent care because they cannot be looked after by their own families. There are many reasons for this, such as internal conflicts between family members or an illness that prevents a parent from properly caring for their children. Unfortunately, it could also be because of abuse or neglect. TACT are recruiting foster carers in Croydon to provide a safe and caring home to these children. We work closely with Croydon social services to ensure that children are matched to our team of foster carers. If this sounds like something that you could do, you could join our Fostering Croydon team!
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Can I foster in Croydon?
You don’t need any previous experience to start fostering in Croydon. To proceed with an application, you would need to meet this initial criteria:
- To be over 21 years old (there is no upper age limit)
- To have at least one spare bedroom
- To be a full-time resident in the UK or have indefinite leave to remain
You would also need the time and flexibility to dedicate yourself to fostering. Good written and spoken English is essential, as you would be required to work with other professionals, and provide written records detailing the progress of any young people in your care.
Full Training
No prior experience or training is required to become a foster carer.
We provide comprehensive training to ensure you feel confident and prepared to care for children in your home, with sessions offered both in-person and online.
The initial training, Skills To Foster, is completed online during the assessment process. This introductory course provides a foundation in fostering and an opportunity to address any questions you may have.
Once you are approved as a foster carer with TACT, you will gain access to a full training program designed to build your skills and support you in making a positive impact on children and young people in the Croydon area.
Additionally, specialised training is available to help you care for children with specific needs or requirements.
24/7 Support
Providing ongoing support is essential to enable our foster carers to help change children’s lives. We reinvest any surplus funds into enhancing the services we provide to foster families, ensuring you always have the help you need.
As a TACT foster carer, you will be assigned a dedicated Supervising Social Worker with a manageable caseload. This allows them to devote more time to supporting you. We believe that with the right assistance, you can provide the care and stability that transform children’s lives.
This is what we provide:
- Full 24/7 support. Your Supervising Social Worker will be your primary point of contact, but our out-of-hours service ensures someone is always available for guidance or emergencies.
- Foster carer portal. An easy-to-use online platform offering access to essential information, resources, training, and advice tailored for your needs.
- Education service. Expert advice to help children in your care access the best educational opportunities available.
- Health service. Focused support to monitor and enhance the physical and mental well-being of the children in your care.
- Support groups. Regular group meetings in Croydon and nearby areas, giving foster carers a space to share experiences and connect.
- Support for young people. Activities, events, and additional guidance provided by our Children’s Wellbeing Practitioners to enrich the lives of children in your care.
- Supporting your own children. Recognising the vital role of your family in fostering, we organise Children Who Foster events to connect them with others in similar situations.
- Peer support. When available, experienced TACT carers can offer guidance and advice to new foster carers, providing valuable peer-to-peer support.
Pay & Allowances
Foster carers are highly trained professionals, and our fees and allowances are designed to reflect the significant role they play.
Working in collaboration with Croydon Council, we receive funding to support the care of children and young people in the area. This funding is used to provide services and to support our dedicated foster carers. The fostering allowance you receive is based on factors such as the type of care provided, the number and ages of the children in your care, and the complexity of their individual needs.
There are also payments for children’s birthdays, holidays and religious festivals. We also pay long service awards and a Refer a Friend fee (if you recommend someone who then goes on to be an approved foster carer with us).
Below, you can find examples of the weekly Fostering Croydon payments you could receive when a young person is placed in your care:
Meet The Area Manager
“I have always worked with children from 0-18 years in a variety of settings including the NHS, Local Authorities, and small Charitable organisations. TACT’s ethos is putting the child at the centre and that resonates with me – making TACT a charity I am proud to be a part of.”
Christine McGillvary – TACT Area Manager London & The South
Christine is truly passionate about making a difference to children’s lives. She manages our great team of social workers that cover the South Coast – ensuring that our team of foster parents are fully supported. Christine has over 19 years’ experience in fostering, specifically within the charitable sector.
Rated ‘Good’ By Ofsted
Following an inspection in January 2022, Ofsted have announced that TACT London & the South has been rated ‘Good’ for its work with foster carers and looked after children.
“The fostering service provides a good quality of care, and the experiences and outcomes for children are very positive. Children, many of whom have complex needs, receive personalised care that meets their needs, and they are kept safe.” – Ofsted, 2022
What Our Foster Carers Say
“TACT offer 360 degree, 365 day support and have done for the 14 years that we have been with them. The support is immediate, kind, reassuring, thorough, none-judgmental and everyone in the household is looked after. TACT will always follow up with a phone call or a visit to check in. This is a lovely touch, I always feel fully supported as do the children that we care for in our family.”
Alex – TACT Foster Carer since 2012
Fostering Information Events
- January 9, 2025
- Hampshire, London,
- Time: 10:00 am – 12:30 pm
Hampshire Fostering Information Event
TACT London & The South are hosting a Fostering Information Session at Emsworth Baptist Church on Thursday 9th January between 10am – 12.30pm.
- April 11, 2025
- London
- Time: 9:30 am – 4:00 pm
Hammersmith Fostering Information Event
TACT London are hosting a Fostering Information Session at RCNI London West Nursing Careers & Jobs Fair on Friday 11th April 2025 between 9.30am – 4pm.
Start Your Fostering Journey
