Fostering in poole

Becoming a foster carer in Poole could mean changing children’s lives. Many young people unfortunately find themselves in care for a variety of different reasons, including conflicts within their family – or even a long term illness. Sadly, the main reason why young people come into care is because of abuse, neglect – or both. TACT are recruiting foster carers in Poole in order to make a real difference to the lives of these children.

It may surprise you to learn that you don’t need any previous childcare experience, as full training will be provided. To start the application process, you just need at least one spare bedroom in your home, a caring and nurturing character – and lots of energy to provide a child with a secure and loving home. If this sounds like something that you could do, you could join our Fostering Poole Team!

Meet Our Team

We’re looking for foster carers from all areas in and around Poole. Some examples of the areas we cover are: Broadstone, Newtown, Canford Heath, Oakdale – and many more areas in the region.

We have a great team of staff within the Poole area. Christine McGillvary, our area manager for the region, 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.

Hear from our foster carers in Poole

Upcoming events in Poole

Christine looks after our fostering poole team

Why Foster in poole with TACT?

TACT is the UK’s largest dedicated fostering charity enabling us to provide care for children on a national level. We reinvest any surplus income into providing more support and training for foster carers interested in fostering.

As one of the leading fostering agencies in Poole, we provide our foster carers with training and support that is local to them – to enable them to change young people’s lives. Because we reinvest surplus income, we can provide additional support over and above what is required of a fostering charity, such as a dedicated education service, health service and an online foster carer portal.

Were more than just a fostering agency – we go above and beyond to look after our foster carers and the children they provide care for. Our TACT Connect service ensures that when children leave the care system, they have TACT’s support for life.

This is why 98% of our carers would recommend us to others thinking of fostering.

Ofsted Rating

24/7 Support

Fostering Allowances

Rated As ‘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

Read the Latest Report

24/7 Support

For total piece of mind, TACT provide their foster carers with 24/7 support. When you become a foster carer with us, you will be allocated your own Supervising Social Worker – who will provide most of the support that you will need. We also have a dedicated out-of-hours service, ensuring that there will always be someone to help you, or to answer any questions you may have.

As a charity, we reinvest surplus income into providing additional support services. We know that the better we support you, the better you will be able to provide the care and guidance required to change children’s lives.

This is what we provide:

Full 24/7 support. Your own Supervising Social Worker will provide you with most of the support you need, but our dedicated out-of-hours support service will give you total peace of mind.
Foster carer portal. An online hub, providing a community of TACT foster carers and a place to find information, advice, training and other resources.

Education service. Our specialist service provides support and advice to help ensure that the children in your care receive the best possible educational opportunities.
Health service. Our health service provides the young people in your care with ongoing physical and mental health care monitoring.
Support groups. Our ‘Circle of Friends’ support group is held once a month, giving you the chance to meet other foster carers and share experiences. These take place in West Bromwich or Walsall.
Support for young people. Our Engagement and Activity Practitioner’s provide the children in your care with additional support, activities and events in Birmingham.
Supporting your own children. We understand that your own children play an important role in the fostering household. As such, our Children Who Foster events provide your own children with an opportunity to socialise with other young people who make an amazing contribution to fostering.
All new TACT West Midlands foster carers will be allocated a foster carer buddy, to provide informal support and guidance.

Explore more reasons why to choose TACT…

Fostering Allowance poole

Foster carers are highly skilled people, and our fees and allowances reflect this.

If you join our Fostering Poole team, the total fostering allowance that you receive will vary based on a number of factors, including the type of foster care you are providing, the number of children that you care for and their age, as well as the complexity of their needs.

You will also receive additional payments for children’s birthdays, holidays and religious festivals. In addition to your fostering allowance, 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).

View Our Fostering Allowances

Hear From Our Foster Carers in poole

“She is the most beautiful part of my life.”

Sharntel, a TACT foster carer since 2015, cares for a 10-year-old girl with epilepsy and autism. Despite the challenges, Sharntel finds immense joy in their journey, celebrating small victories like eating independently. Her foster daughter has become the most beautiful part of her life and inspired her advocacy for children with disabilities.

“Both our children see him as their big brother”

Having children of your own shouldn’t prevent you from fostering. As long as you are matched carefully with a child, it can really benefit both your own children and the children you foster to have other children around.

“I love watching the way that she has developed and grown in confidence”

There is no doubt that fostering, while challenging, is also extremely rewarding. I love watching the way that our foster daughter has developed and grown in confidence. I am very proud that she has completed her college course and secured an apprenticeship.