Fostering in Essex
If changing the lives of children and young people in your local area is important to you, then fostering in Essex could be your next step. Fostering is all about providing children with a stable and caring home – somewhere that they can recover from any trauma, neglect or abuse they may have experienced. Many of our current foster carers state that it is extremely rewarding to watch children regain their confidence at school or college – or just generally in their everyday lives. TACT are recruiting foster carers in Essex in order to provide care and guidance for these vulnerable young people. If this sounds like something you could do, you could join our Fostering Essex team.
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Can I foster in Essex?
You don’t need any previous experience to start fostering in Essex. 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
Becoming a foster carer requires no prior experience or training.
We provide comprehensive training to ensure you feel confident and well-prepared to welcome children into your home. Our training is conducted both online and in-person.
As part of the assessment process, you’ll complete an introductory course called Skills To Foster. This brief online course offers an overview of fostering and a chance to ask any questions you might have.
Once you are approved as a foster carer with TACT, you’ll have access to a robust training program designed to enhance your abilities and empower you to support more children and young people in the Essex area.
We also offer specialised training to help you develop the skills needed to care for children with specific needs or challenges.
24/7 Support
At TACT, we understand the importance of round-the-clock support in transforming children’s lives. That’s why we reinvest all surplus funds into enhancing the services we provide for fostering families, ensuring help is available whenever you need it.
As a TACT foster carer, you will have a dedicated Supervising Social Worker with a manageable caseload, allowing them to offer personalised support and guidance, empowering you to create meaningful, positive change in children’s lives.
This is what we provide:
- Full 24/7 support. Your Supervising Social Worker will be your primary contact, and our out-of-hours service ensures you always have access to advice and assistance.
- Foster carer portal. A user-friendly online hub where you can access essential information, training, resources, and guidance to support your fostering journey.
- Education service. A team of specialists committed to helping the children in your care access the best educational opportunities and tailored support.
- Health service. Regular monitoring of children’s physical and emotional well-being to promote their overall health and development.
- Support groups. Local groups in Essex and surrounding areas provide opportunities to connect with other carers, share experiences, and build a supportive community.
- Support for young people. Our Children’s Wellbeing Practitioners offer activities, events, and additional support for the children in your care in Essex.
- Supporting your own children. We recognise the valuable role your own children play in fostering. Our Children Who Foster events give them the opportunity to connect with others and share their experiences.
- Peer support. Where available, experienced TACT foster carers provide peer-to-peer guidance, sharing practical advice and encouragement with new carers.
Pay & Allowances
Foster carers are skilled professionals, and our fees and allowances are designed to recognise the vital role they play in transforming children’s lives.
In collaboration with Essex County Council, we receive funding to support the care of children and young people in the local community. This funding enables us to provide outstanding services and extensive support for our foster carers.
The fostering allowance you receive will vary 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 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 Essex payments you could receive when a young person is placed in your care:
Meet The Area Manager
“I work relentlessly to support our foster carers so that we can impact the lives of our children and young people to become the best they can be – by ensuring that they live in homes that are safe, fun, loving and nurturing.”
Priscilla Makambe – TACT Area Manager London, Essex & Hertfordshire
Priscilla started working for TACT in 2019, having previously worked in Local Authority Child Protection and Children with Disabilities Teams before moving into fostering more than 15 years ago.
Rated ‘Good’ By Ofsted
Following an inspection in March 2022, Ofsted have announced that TACT London, Essex and Hertfordshire has been rated ‘Good’ for its work with foster carers and looked after children.
“Children thrive and make good progress from their starting points. This is because they share positive and trusting relationships with their foster carers. These positive relationships help children to feel safe and secure.” – Ofsted 2022
What Our Foster Carers Say
“We foster for TACT because it is a non-profit organisation and I felt that this was very important. I have been so impressed with the support we have received from TACT. The training offered is easy to access and of a high standard ensuring that, as a foster carer, I remain up to date and professional. I feel that TACT is very child focused but also supports foster carers.”
Beth and Steve – TACT Foster Carers since 2022
Fostering Information Events
- 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.
- September 5, 2025
- London
- Time: 9:30 am – 4:00 pm
Islington Fostering Information Event
TACT London, Essex & Hertfordshire are hosting a Fostering Information Session at RCNI London North Nursing Careers & Jobs Fair on Friday 5th September 2025 between 9.30am – 4pm.
Start Your Fostering Journey
