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 as a Dudley foster carer.
There are many reasons why children come into care. It could be due to a family breakdown or because a parent or guardian requires temporary hospital treatment. Sadly, the main reason is because of neglect or abuse. TACT are recruiting foster carers in Dudley in order to provide safe and caring homes for vulnerable young people.
Meet Our Team
We have a great team of staff within the Dudley area. Michelle Patterson, our area manager for the West Midlands, is truly passionate about making a difference to children’s lives. She manages our great team of social workers in the area – ensuring that our team of foster carers are fully supported. Michelle has been with TACT for over 12 years’, and has previously worked for other not-for-profit fostering agencies.
We are currently looking for foster carers in and around Dudley, in areas such as: Kates Hill, Lower Gornal, Dixons Green – and many other areas in the region.
Why Foster in Dudley with TACT?
TACT is the UK’s largest dedicated fostering charity. This enables us to provide care for children on a national level. We reinvest any surplus income into providing more support and training for our foster carers.
TACT works in partnership with Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council to provide caring and nurturing foster homes for vulnerable young people. By joining our Dudley Fostering team, you will receive training and support that is local to you. Because we reinvest our surplus income, we can provide additional support resources 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.
Rated As ‘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
24/7 Support
When you become a foster carer, you’re not just left on your own. We understand how important a high level of support is, which is why we reinvest surplus income into providing more support for our fostering families.
You will be allocated your own Supervising Social Worker, who will provide most of the support and guidance you will need. We also have a dedicated out-of-hours support service, for total piece of mind. After all, 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. Provided by your own Supervising Social Worker and our dedicated out-of-hours support service.
- Foster carer portal. An online community and support hub, where you will find information, advice, training and other resources to help you with your day-to-day life as a foster carer.
- Education service. Our service provides educational support and advice to help ensure that the children in your care receive the best possible opportunities.
- Health service. Our health service was established to provide the young people in your care with ongoing physical and mental health 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 Children’s Resource Workers provide the children in your care with additional support, activities and events in the Dudley area.
- 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. All new TACT West Midlands foster carers will be allocated a foster carer buddy, to provide informal support and guidance.
Fostering Allowance Dudley
Foster carers are highly skilled people, and our fees and allowances reflect this.
Our Dudley Fostering fees and allowances vary based on a number of factors. These include the type of foster care you are providing, the number of children that you care for, their age, and the complexity of their needs.
In addition to the fostering allowance, you will receive 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).
Hear From Our Foster Carers in Dudley
“The children are treated as our own”
Alex, a TACT foster carer since 2010, shares how the children in her care are treated as her own. She appreciates the continuous support from TACT and finds great pride in celebrating the children’s achievements and reuniting siblings.
“Having a child in the family helps new children to settle”
Sophie’s presence helped new foster children settle more easily, offering comfort and familiarity. Her involvement made foster children feel included and loved, creating a supportive environment that eased their transition and helped them quickly adapt to their new home.
“Being fostered with each other helped them settle”
Elaine’s support was key in helping teenage siblings settle into their new home. By fostering them together, she ensured they had a stable, supportive environment, which allowed them to thrive and become an integral part of the family.
Fostering Information Events
- December 6, 2024
- West Midlands, Wolverhampton,
- Time: 9:00 am – 5:30 pm
Wolverhampton Fostering Information Event
TACT West Midlands are hosting a Fostering Information Session at the Mander Centre, Wolverhampton on Friday 6th December between 9am – 5.30pm.