Fostering in Kent
There are many children and young people in Kent who require safe, caring and loving homes. These young people are unable to live with their own families for a number of reasons. There could be a degree of conflict within the family, meaning that the children need to be removed until that conflict is resolved. Sadly, the most common reason is neglect or even abuse. TACT are recruiting foster carers in Kent to provide safe and caring homes to these children. If this sounds like something that you could do, you could join our Fostering Kent Team!
Jump to a section
Can I foster in Kent?
You don’t need any previous experience to start fostering in Kent. 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 previous experience or training is required to become a foster carer.
We provide comprehensive training to ensure you’re well-equipped to care for children in your home. Training is available both in-person and online.
The initial training, called Skills To Foster, is completed online as part of the foster carer assessment process. This short course introduces you to fostering and gives you the chance to ask any questions.
Once approved as a foster carer with TACT, a complete training program will be built for you. This will further develop your skills, empowering you to care for and make a positive difference in the lives of children and young people in the Kent area.
Additionally, we offer specialised training to assist you in caring for children with specific needs or requirements.
24/7 Support
Ongoing support is essential for creating a lasting, positive impact on children’s lives. Any surplus income we generate is reinvested to improve the support we offer to our fostering families, ensuring you always have the assistance you need.
Once you’re approved as a TACT foster carer, you’ll be assigned a dedicated Supervising Social Worker. With manageable caseloads, they can devote more time to you. We believe that with the right support, you’ll be better equipped to provide the care and guidance that makes a difference in children’s lives.
This is what we provide:
- Full 24/7 support. Your Supervising Social Worker will provide most of the assistance you need, but our out-of-hours service ensures someone is always available for advice or support.
- Foster carer portal. An online platform that serves as a central resource for TACT foster carers, offering easy access to essential information, advice, training, and resources to help in your daily role.
- Education service. A dedicated service that provides guidance and support to ensure the children in your care have access to the best educational opportunities.
- Health service. Our health team closely monitors the physical and mental well-being of the children in your care.
- Support groups. Local support groups in Kent and nearby areas where you can meet and connect with other carers to share experiences.
- Support for young people. Our Children’s Wellbeing Practitioners offer additional support, activities, and events for the children in your care in the Kent area.
- Supporting your own children. We understand the important role your own children play in the fostering household. Our Children Who Foster events give them the opportunity to connect with other young people involved in fostering.
- Peer support. When available, new foster carers are paired with experienced TACT carers for additional guidance and assistance.
Pay & Allowances
Foster carers are skilled professionals, and our fees and allowances are designed to recognise the valuable work they do.
In collaboration with Kent County Council, we receive funding to support the care of children and young people in the area. This funding is used to deliver our services and support our dedicated team of foster carers. The fostering allowance you receive will be based on factors such as the type of care you provide, the number and ages of the children in your care, and the complexity of their 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 Kent 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
“After fostering for 6 years, we decided to transfer to TACT. I did some research and we liked TACT due to its charity status. I then read some very interesting articles written by the Chief Executive, and felt that he had a real passion for improving children’s services. He had also been a foster carer himself, and so we felt that he would have a good understanding of carers needs.”
Jane & Ruth – TACT Foster Carers since 2016
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
