We're so happy you are thinking of fostering with Together for Children, Sunderland.
When you foster with us, you'll join a fostering service rated outstanding by OFSTED. You will look after babies, children or young people who through no fault of their own cannot live with their birth family either temporarily or longer term, but you could give them the care they need.
Together for Children is the children's services partner of Sunderland City Council, but we're run independently by our own board. This ensures the work we do is effective and in the best interests of children and families.
We are passionate about working in partnership to ensure that children and families get the services they need. We'd love for you to join us.
Why foster with Together for Children, Sunderland?
When you become a foster with Together for Children, Sunderland, you will join a large and active fostering community.
Join us and we will work alongside you and value your professional contribution and commitment.
As a TfC foster carer, you'll receive:
Flexible, ongoing training to grow your skills, knowledge and confidence
A healthy financial support package with weekly allowances, plus rewards and benefits
Expert support when you need it, you'll have a dedicated social worker, plus in-house psychologists and educational specialists.
We're looking for foster carers from all backgrounds and stages of life.
Whether you are single or looking to foster as part of a couple, have your own family or don't, there are flexible fostering roles to suit your lifestyle.
There are lots of options when it comes to fostering.
We build strong relationships with our carers and make sure you're surrounded by people who understand your journey. From day one, you will have a dedicated social worker.
They won't just be a name on the end of the phone, they'll visit you, listen and support you and the children in your care.
You'll work together so you grow as a foster carer providing the best possible care.
You'll also have access to in-house experts, including:
Support from experienced foster carers who've been in your shoes with foster buddies and Mockingbird groups
A psychologist who can offer insight and support
A specialist education team to help children engage and thrive
Tailored specialist therapeutic support for carers and children
24/7 fostering-led support team including an experienced foster carer, so you can get advice when you need it.
When you start fostering, your ongoing training covers essential and optional topics that help you develop new skills, keep up with the latest research and support your wellbeing.
Your foster carer training is delivered flexibly, and includes:
Online and face-to-face training delivered by a dedicated training officer
Therapeutic parenting training with an in-house psychologist
Mandatory courses delivered in person at times that accommodate different caring schedules
Training to help you progress and grow in your carer role
Your training choices evolve in response to foster carer needs and to reflect topical issues.
As a Sunderland foster carer with TfC, you will receive tax-free payments and graded allowances.
The fostering allowance is paid weekly for the care of the child, to cover costs like food, utilities, transport, clothing, activities and clubs etc.
You will also receive a weekly professional foster care payment for each child in your care. Your fee reflects the specialist training and skills you build as you progress.
Benefits and discounts for foster carers
You can access all kinds of perks and leisure benefits when you foster with us, Make more of the time you spend together with:
Free Max Card membership gives you discounts at major attractions like Alton Towers and Go Ape
Everyone Active membership for access to your local leisure centres and swimming pools
Blue Light Card to save on the everyday things like shopping and eating out, plus bigger buys like holidays
Support doesn't just come from professionals. When you foster with Together for Children Sunderland, you'll be part of a vibrant, welcoming community of foster carers and fostering families.
You can join in as much or as little as suits your lifestyle. There's always something happening nearby with a foster carer meetup at least once each week:
Monthly coffee mornings in different locations
Toddler group for carers of young children
Support group for carers of children with complex needs
Meet-ups for pre-approval and new foster carers
Youth club for children in fostering families
Seasonal celebrations and community events throughout the year with family-friendly activities and attractions like discos, face painting and bouncy castles
More friendly faces with foster buddies and Mockingbird
After approval, you can choose to join a Mockingbird Programme. If you do, you will connect with other foster carers and children in a close-knit group called a Mockingbird constellation. Your constellation will offer peer support and a sense of community that feels like extended family.
With a Mockingbird home hub carer at the centre, you might enjoy get-togethers like barbecues or days out.
Your Mockingbird hub leader will also be there to offer a listening ear as well as practical help such as offering sleepovers and pick up for, children in the group all from someone who's experienced and knows you and your family well.
What Together for Children, Sunderland, foster carers say
"We've always enjoyed fostering, but we found we weren't getting the opportunity to help enough children with the independent fostering agency, as they don't look after children directly, and there wasn't much of a fostering community either. As soon as we decided to foster with our local authority, we knew it was the right decision, and we've never looked back. We've fostered all ages - from babies to 17-year-olds. We've cared for children with autism, children with special needs and brothers and sisters and every experience has been excellent." Neil, foster carer for a sibling group
