Become A Step Forward foster Carer
We Need More Step Forward Foster Carers
Step Forward Fostering is a specialist fostering programme developed to help young people transition from residential care into stable, nurturing family environments.
What Is Step Forward Fostering?
Step Forward is a specialist fostering programme developed in partnership between TACT and Bury Council to help young people transition from residential care into stable, nurturing family environments.
As part of this initiative, a small number of children currently living in residential settings have been identified as suitable for a family-based fostering environment. Having experienced trauma, instability, and disruption, these young people would greatly benefit from the stability, warmth, and personal attention that a dedicated foster family can provide. By welcoming them into a nurturing home, you can help them build trust, develop key life skills, and experience the sense of belonging that every child deserves.
Step Forward Fostering is committed to carefully matching these children with people who can meet their individual needs and help them thrive in a family setting.
If you have experience in fostering, residential care, social work, or another child-focused profession and want to use your expertise to support children with complex needs, Step Forward Fostering offers a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact.
Can I Be A Step Forward Foster Carer?
If you have experience in fostering, residential care, social work, or another child-focused profession and feel ready to take on a more specialist role, Step Forward Fostering could be the perfect next step for you.
✔ Have experience in supporting vulnerable children, whether through fostering, residential care, social work, or another relevant role.
✔ Have a spare bedroom in your home.
✔ Be a UK resident or have Indefinite Leave to Remain.
✔ Able to commit to being a Step Forward Foster Carer full time (no other employment).
Pay & Allowances
We value the expertise of our Step Forward Foster Carers and ensure they are financially supported in this specialist role.
- £1,052 per week (£54,704 per year) when a child is placed
- £408 per week retainer (£21,216) between placements
- Additional payments and allowances throughout the year
Foster carers also benefit from special tax exemptions, meaning they will pay very little tax on their income from fostering. Some will even pay no tax at all.
support for our foster carers
The Support You’ll Receive:
We recognise that supporting children with complex needs is a full-time commitment. That’s why we provide exceptional support to our specialist foster carers, including:
- A Senior Practitioner for guidance and supervision
- A dedicated Family Wellbeing Worker to support both you and the child
- Support from a Hub Carer, who will provide 28 days of planned short breaks per year
- A network of specialist foster carers to share experiences and advice
- Full training, including specialist neurodevelopmental and therapeutic courses
- Psychological consultations and access to therapeutic training
- 24/7 Out of Hours support