Fostering in Northamptonshire
You may have been thinking about fostering in Northamptonshire for a while, or it may be something that you’ve only just discovered. Whatever stage you are at in your fostering journey, we’re here to help.
Every week, hundreds of children and young people in Northamptonshire come into care for a variety of reasons. It could be because of conflicts within the family home, resulting in children needing to be temporarily removed while that conflict is resolved. Or it could also be due to an illness, meaning that a parent or guardian is physically unable to meet the needs of their children. Unfortunately, it could also be because of abuse or neglect. TACT are recruiting foster carers in Northamptonshire to provide safe and caring homes to these young people.
No previous childcare experience is necessary in order to start your fostering journey in Northamptonshire, 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 Northamptonshire Team!
Meet Our Team
We have a great team of staff within the Northamptonshire area. Ramona Catarig, our area manager for the area, is truly passionate about improving the lives of children and young people. She manages our great team of social workers in the East Midlands – ensuring that our team of foster parents are fully supported. Ramona has over 21 years’ experience as a social worker, working in Local Authority Children and Young People teams and mainstream and therapeutic Fostering teams. She joined TACT in 2014.
We are currently looking for foster carers in and around Northamptonshire. Some of the areas we cover are: Kettering, Wellingborough, Corby, Towcester – and many other areas in the region.
Why Foster in Northamptonshire 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.
TACT work closely with Northamptonshire County Council to help provide foster homes for children and young people. By becoming a foster carer with TACT, you will be making a difference to young people’s on a local level. As one of the leading fostering charities in Northamptonshire, we reinvest surplus income into providing additional training and support over and above of what is required. For example, our support networks include a dedicated education service, health service and an online foster carer portal.
We’re 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.
Rated As ‘Outstanding’ By Ofsted
Following an inspection in February 2024, Ofsted have announced that TACT East Midlands has been rated ‘OUTSTANDING’ for its work with foster carers and looked after children.
“Foster carers build strong, trusted relationships with their children. They make
remarkable progress due to the skill, dedication and commitment offered by the
carers and the supporting TACT team.” – Ofsted, 2024
24/7 Support
At TACT, we reinvest surplus income into providing you with more support, ensuring that there is always a helping hand at anytime. When you become a foster carer for us, you will be allocated your own Supervising Social Worker, who will normally provide all the support you need.
However, we also have a dedicated out-of-hours service for further piece of mind. We also provide a number of additional support networks.
This is what we provide:
- Full 24/7 support. Support is provided by your Supervising Social Worker and our dedicated out-of-hours support service.
- Foster carer portal. An online community of TACT foster carers and a place to find information, advice, training and other resources to help you with your day-to-day life as a foster carer.
- 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 was established in order to provide young people in your care with ongoing physical and mental health monitoring.
- Support groups. Our support groups operate in Northamptonshire and surrounding areas, and provide a local outlet to meet other carers in your area, share experiences and knowledge, and sometimes even make some new friends!
- Wellbeing events. We offer a range of events 3-4 times per year, including activities such as walks and meals out.
- Support for young people. Our Childrens Resource Workers provide the children in your care with additional support, activities and events in and around Northamptonshire.
- 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.
- Peer support. Sometimes, peer-to-peer support may be available. These work by pairing newly approved foster carers with experienced TACT carers to provide another level of support.
Fostering Allowance Northamptonshire
Foster carers are highly skilled people, and our fees and allowances reflect this.
TACT are funded by Northamptonshire County Council, and we ensure that this funding goes a long way. When you join our Fostering Northamptonshire team, the actual fostering allowance that you receive will vary, depending on certain factors. For example, it will be dependent on the type of foster care you provide, the age and number of children that you care for, and the complexity of their needs.
Our Fostering Northamptonshire team 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).
Hear From Our Foster Carers in Northamptonshire
“Male foster carers can have a real positive influence”
Although Nathan fosters with his wife, Rachael, he talks about being a male role model in his fostering household.
“They have different needs, but every child has”
Debbie and Glyn, TACT foster carers since 2018, have channeled their 35 years of experience in care into fostering children with complex needs. They care for two non-verbal boys with autism, adapting to their unique challenges with patience, creativity, and love.
“It’s about having an open heart”
Sandra, a TACT foster carer since 2004, began her journey by caring for her nephew at 16. With a background in childcare, she embraced fostering with an open heart, focusing on building routines and life skills for the children. Her dedication has positively influenced her own children and continues to impact the lives of those she fosters.
Fostering Information Events
- October 8, 2024
- Nottingham
- Time: 10:30 am – 5:00 pm
Nottingham Information Session
TACT East Midlands are hosting a Fostering Information Session at John Lewis Nottingham on Tuesday 8th October between 10.30am – 5pm.
- November 12, 2024
- East Midlands, Nottingham,
- Time: 10:30 am – 5:00 pm
Nottingham Information Session
TACT East Midlands are hosting a Fostering Information Session at John Lewis Nottingham on Tuesday 12th November between 10.30am – 5pm.
Start Your Fostering Journey
