Fostering in Southwark
Many children and young people in Southwark need a safe and loving home because they cannot remain with their own families for various reasons, such as family conflicts or illness. Unfortunately, the most common cause is neglect or abuse. TACT is actively recruiting foster carers in Southwark to provide a secure and nurturing environment where these children can heal and build a better future. We collaborate closely with Southwark London Borough Council to ensure children in need of care are matched with our dedicated foster carers. If you feel you could offer this support, consider joining our Fostering Southwark team!
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Can I foster in Southwark?
You don’t need any previous experience to start fostering in Southwark. 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’re fully equipped to care for children in your home. Our training is available either in person or virtually.
The initial training, called Skills To Foster, is completed online during the foster carer assessment process. This short course offers an introduction to fostering and gives you the chance to ask any questions you may have.
Once approved as a foster carer with TACT, you will receive a complete training program to enhance your skills, enabling you to care for and make a positive impact on more children and young people in the Southwark area.
We also offer specialised training to support you in caring for children with specific needs or requirements.
24/7 Support
To make a real difference to children’s lives, 24/7 support is essential. We reinvest any surplus income to strengthen the support we offer to our fostering families, ensuring you always have access to the help you need.
Once you become an approved TACT foster carer, you’ll be assigned your own Supervising Social Worker. All of our Supervising Social Workers have manageable caseloads, allowing them to dedicate more time to you. We believe that with the right support, you’ll be better equipped to provide the care and guidance necessary to positively impact children’s lives.
This is what we provide:
- Full 24/7 support. Your Supervising Social Worker will typically provide all the support you need, but our dedicated out-of-hours service ensures someone is always available for assistance or advice.
- Foster carer portal. An online platform that serves as a hub for TACT foster carers, offering easy access to information, advice, training, and other resources to support you in your everyday role.
- Education service. A dedicated service that provides guidance and support to ensure the children in your care have access to the best possible educational opportunities.
- Health service. Our health service ensures the physical and mental health of the children in your care is closely monitored.
- Support groups. Local support groups in Southwark and surrounding areas offer a space for you to meet other carers and share experiences.
- Support for young people. Our Children’s Wellbeing Practitioners provide additional support, activities, and events for the children in your care in the Southwark area.
- Supporting your own children. We understand the importance of your own children in the fostering household. Our Children Who Foster events allow your children to connect with other young people who also contribute to fostering.
- Peer support. Occasionally, peer-to-peer support may be available. New foster carers are paired with experienced TACT carers for extra guidance and support.
Pay & Allowances
Foster carers are highly skilled professionals, and our fees and allowances are designed to reflect the vital work they do.
In collaboration with Southwark London Borough Council, we receive funding to assist with the care of children and young people in the area. This funding is allocated to delivering our services and supporting our committed team of foster carers. The fostering allowance you receive will be based on factors such as the type of care you provide, the number of children in your care, their ages, 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 Southwark 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
“Having grown up in a culture where family and relatives are there for each other, there are definite similarities in how TACT always strive to do their best; they listen, learn, and have a commitment to growth. Along with other foster carers and TACT networks, people are there for you. We grow together and all for the betterment of the children and young people in our care.”
Sandra – TACT Foster Carer since 2004
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
