Fostering in Dudley
Every day, young people in Dudley come into care for lots of different reasons. You could change children’s lives by providing a caring and nurturing home. TACT are recruiting foster carers in Dudley in order to provide safe and caring homes for vulnerable young people. If this sounds like something you could do, you could join our Fostering Dudley team.
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Can I foster in Dudley?
You don’t need any previous experience to start fostering in Dudley. 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 qualifications are required to become a foster carer.
We provide thorough training to ensure you feel confident and well-prepared to welcome children into your home. This training is offered both online and in person.
As part of the assessment process, you’ll complete an introductory course called Skills to Foster. This brief online program offers an overview of fostering and allows you to ask any questions you may have.
Once you’re approved as a TACT foster carer, you’ll gain access to a wide range of training opportunities designed to enhance your skills and support children and young people in Dudley.
We also offer specialised training to help you care for children with specific needs or challenges.
24/7 Support
At TACT, we understand how vital reliable, round-the-clock support is for foster carers. That’s why we reinvest all surplus funds into improving our services, ensuring help is always available when you need it.
As a TACT foster carer, you’ll have the support of a dedicated Supervising Social Worker with a manageable caseload. This allows them to offer tailored guidance, helping you make a lasting positive impact on the lives of children.
This is what we provide:
- Full 24/7 support. Your Supervising Social Worker will be your main point of contact, supported by an out-of-hours service available for advice and assistance at any time.
- Foster carer portal. An easy-to-use online platform providing access to essential information, training, resources, and guidance throughout your fostering journey.
- Education service. A specialised team focused on helping the children in your care achieve their full educational potential through tailored support.
- Health service. Regular assessments to ensure the physical and emotional well-being of the children you care for.
- Support groups. Local groups in Dudley and surrounding areas where you can connect with fellow foster carers, share experiences, and build a supportive community.
- Support for young people. Our Children’s Wellbeing Practitioners organise activities, events, and resources to enrich the lives of the children in your care.
- Supporting your own children. Recognising the important role your children play in fostering, we provide Children Who Foster events where they can connect with peers and share their experiences.
- Peer support. Experienced TACT foster carers are available to offer practical advice, encouragement, and peer-to-peer guidance for new carers whenever possible.
Our TACTIC Clinics
When a young person joins one of our foster carers, we arrange an attachment clinic to assess their needs and identify any specific support they may require. From this assessment, we develop a personalised support and training plan tailored to the unique needs of both the foster carer and the young person.
In addition, TACT West Midlands hosts a monthly TACTIC Clinic. These clinics offer foster families and professionals a space to reflect on the young person’s progress and current needs. This collaborative approach helps foster carers provide responsive, attuned care, nurturing secure and healthy relationships while supporting the young person’s recovery from early-life challenges.
Our TACTIC Clinics play a key role in promoting long-term stability and well-being for the young people in our care.
Pay & Allowances
Foster carers are skilled professionals, and our fees and allowances reflect the vital role they play in transforming the lives of children and young people.
In partnership with Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council, we receive funding to support the care of children in the community. This funding enables us to deliver outstanding services and provide extensive support to 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 Dudley payments you could receive when a young person is placed in your care:
Meet The Area Manager
“I’ve had the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with foster carers who are passionate about helping children and young people to reach their potential. Together, we make sure that every carer and child feels supported, valued, and truly part of the team. I take great pride in creating opportunities for children to grow, knowing that every success is a shared achievement across our team.”
Diane Green – TACT Area Manager West Midlands
Diane first joined the team as an interim manager and returned in 2021, drawn to TACT’s not-for-profit values.
Rated ‘Good’ By Ofsted
Following an inspection in July 2023, Ofsted have announced that TACT West Midlands has been rated ‘Good’ for its work with foster carers and looked after children.
“Staff and foster carers work effectively and in close partnership. Children make good progress from their starting points. This is because of the excellent care that they receive from their foster carers and the agency support network around them.” – Ofsted 2023
What Our Foster Carers Say
“We looked at different agencies and chose TACT because we liked the fact they’re a charity. TACT is always there to offer guidance, even in the middle of the night on a bank holiday. “
Rob and Barbara – TACT Foster Carers since 2011
Fostering Information Events
- March 3, 2025
- Birmingham, West Midlands,
- Time: 9:30 am – 4:00 pm
Birmingham Fostering Information Event
TACT West Midlands are hosting a Fostering Information Session at the RCNi Birmingham Nursing Careers & Jobs Fair on Monday 3rd March between 9.30am – 4pm.
Start Your Fostering Journey
