Fostering

[RockyRolly]

I'll admit this is for traffic

Has anyone given up their highly paid Monday to Friday 9-5 job to do fostering? I feel it's my "calling" and could afford it but scared to even enquire for fear of rejection or changing my mind

Hi OP, you might have more luck on the fostering board - they'll be the experts!

I had no idea there was even a board for that! Off I go to search

I cant comment on other LAs, ours offers something like £460 a week, per child, more SEN or those with challenging behaviours. This of course is all tax free, and equates to 46K per anum per child.

I think it's under Becoming A Parent :)

£460 pw is nowhere near £46k pa and presumably you have to use some of that money to feed the child, provide them with a bedroom, take them to school and on outings and holidays, arrange dental appointments, haircuts, clothing, toys, presents, pocket money etc etc.

It sounds like the money can go a long way towards replacing a low to average salary so you can devote your time and energy to a potentially troubled child's needs, but it's probably never going to equate to a big salary once the expenses have been taken into account.

I dont mind losing money. I feel I'm at a crossroads in my life (I know its cheesy but that's how I feel) I cant sustain barely seeing my toddler and working full time in a demanding job much longer. It all feels so pointless and my job just feels like bullshit- I'm doing actually doing any good in the world. I've always wanted to foster - i feel like I could do some good and I spent many years volunteering with adults. I feel it's time now to consider it but also feel so fearful of making the leap.

£460 a week is 23k yearly. Where did 46k come from?!

I guess PP was basing that on if you were to foster 2 children.

My DC's foster carers were amazing. They loved and nurtured my DC for nearly 2 years. They brought stability to their lives and taught one how to trust men again. I will be forever grateful to them.
They did this not only for my DC but for numerous children before and a few afterwards too. They also went on to adopt some DC who could not find adoptive homes.