Fostering in Manchester
You could make a real difference to a child’s life by becoming a foster carer. Full training will be provided, so you don’t necessarily need any childcare experience. You will receive full 24/7 support from a social worker, and a professional carer fee when a child is placed with you.
The Foster Care Co-operative (FCC) work closely with Manchester City Council in order to support the need for foster homes in the region.
About the Foster Care Co-operative
We are totally unique in the fostering sector. Not only are we not-for-profit, but we’re the only fostering organisation in the UK operating as a co-operative. This means that we listen to and act on suggestions from our foster carers, children and staff. Our not-for-profit status enables us to reinvest surplus income after expenses into providing more foster care support and training – the way it should be!
We cover the UK, but we have a regional office in Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester. Here we are able to facilitate foster carer meetings, training and children’s activities – as well as offering a base for our social workers in the area. The region is overseen by our Operational Manager for the North, who looks after a team of social workers to fully support foster carers and the children placed with them.
We also conduct foster carer recruitment events in the area, at venues such as Arndale Shopping Centre, giving people the opportunity to come along and meet us.
Becoming a foster parent / carer
The initial process for becoming a foster carer includes an informal chat over the phone, followed by an application pack and a home visit.
Once you have completed an application form, your allocated social worker will commence a process called a Form F, which is a detailed written assessment split into two parts. The first part (Stage 1) will be the completion of various checks including a DBS, a medical and the collation of references. Stage 2 is a more detailed assessment which will involve you talking about your adult life and childhood, your relationships, your work and family life.
Once the Form F is completed you will attend Fostering Panel, who have to approve all new foster carers. After this, you’re ready to make a change to a child’s life!
Could you foster in Manchester?
If you are interested in becoming a foster carer, and are aged 21 or over with a spare bedroom in your home, you can register your interest now by completing our short form below, or call us on 0800 0856 538.