Fostering older children
Why foster a child over the age of 11?
Remember approaching your teen years? It’s a time of huge changes, learning new skills, forming opinions, making life decisions, navigating relationships plus hormones to throw into the mix. It’s a daunting but incredible time, taking those next steps towards independence.
Imagine life as a teenager or pre-teen if you’ve experienced a difficult childhood without boundaries, routine and safety. Just like younger children, older children need the stability of a loving family. They need consistency, support, guidance and fun as they develop into young adults.
Your role as a Foster Carer is to provide a comfortable and supportive home environment; to be there to guide, reassure and help them make positive choices, form healthy relationships, and navigate a tricky time of change, as well as encourage them to achieve their goals.
Many carers enjoy seeing life through a young person’s eyes as they explore the world with energy and curiosity.
Fostering older children can seem daunting, but certain aspects can often be easier than caring for younger children. They will usually be in full-time education, are often more independent, and require a lot less physically demanding care and supervision.
Many of our carers keep in touch with children and young people they have cared for, and tell us that there’s no greater joy than seeing a teenager transform from being withdrawn and insecure to confident, calm and happy. What can be more rewarding than supporting them into adulthood and independence and watching them thrive.
Could I be a Foster Carer for older children?
If you are over 21 years old, have a spare bedroom and have the desire and dedication to helping a young person realise their potential, then you could be a Foster Carer for the older children and teenagers we care for.
Great Foster Carers come from varied backgrounds
You can be single or in a same-sex relationship
There’s no upper age limit to being a Foster Carer
You don’t have to have your own children
You can be renting your home or be a homeowner
You do need a spare room
You can have your own children living at home
You can have pets
You may have experience of parenting your own teenagers or supported teenagers as part of your job as a teacher or youth worker. Or you may have spent time with nieces, nephews or a godchild and feel you have the right qualities. If you think you’ve got what it takes then we’d love to hear from you so please get in touch.
older child support
What support will I receive to help me care for an older child?
As a Foster Carer for West Sussex County Council you’ll never be alone. You will receive professional support and ongoing, comprehensive training. You’ll have your own dedicated Supervising Social Worker and have access to support groups and events where you’ll get to spend time with our other fantastic local Foster Carers, giving you the chance to speak to like-minded people who are both experienced or are new to fostering just like you.
You’ll also receive a competitive financial package of up to £32,346 (per child, per year) – helping to cover day-to-day living costs and recognising the vital role you will be playing in a young person’s life. Additional payments will be made to help with other costs like travel related to the role and to help you mark important events for the children you care for like birthdays and religious festivals.
You can find full details of all the support and benefits of fostering with West Sussex County Council by visiting the Why Foster With Us section of the website.
Get in touch
Think you’re ready to make the next step in becoming a Foster Carer or want more information? Get in touch with our friendly Fostering Recruitment Team who will be able to answer any questions you have and guide you through the process of becoming a Foster Carer.
To get in touch you can either:Â
- Complete our quick online enquiry form
- Give us a call on 033 022 27775– the lines are open between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday but you can always leave us a message and we’ll call you back
Frequently asked questions
What support will I get to help me care for an older child?
As a Foster Carer for West Sussex County Council, you’ll never be alone. You will receive 24/7 professional support and ongoing, comprehensive training. You’ll have your own dedicated Supervising Social Worker and have access to support groups and events where you’ll get to spend time with our other fantastic local Foster Carers, giving you the chance to speak with like-minded people who are experiencing fostering first hand just like you.