Foster carer support - Print version

Foster carers are a crucial part of the team working together with us to keep Coventry’s children safe.  Fostering with Coventry City Council means that you will get to know the different members of the team working alongside you.  The Fostering Service is co-located with the Looked After and Permanency and ThroughCare Teams to promote closer working relations and work together efficiently in the best interest of the child.  The Council’s Corporate Parenting Board is very supportive of the Fostering Service and good links are constantly made with colleagues across other Services in the Council extend our support to not only foster carers, but the children they care for.  One Coventry is a way of working that helps us to make the biggest possible impact on the lives of local people.

What support looks like:

• Each foster family will be allocated a supervising social worker who will offer support, advice and guidance to you (foster carers), your children and the children you look after.
• There will be regular visits, more frequently during induction, to ensure that you feel supported and lots of opportunities for professional development, so you are well equipped to care for children.
• Newly approved foster carers are offered additional support through a mentoring arrangement with an experienced foster carer.
• Support does not only come from your supervising social worker, we also have a team of dedicated children and family workers who can offer intensive focussed interventions to you and your family.
• A 24/7 telephone line, staffed by a fostering worker, to help with any emergency issues should they arise.

Coventry City Council foster carers frequently tell us that they feel a real part of a Coventry fostering community and whether living in Coventry or surrounding areas, enjoy the regular meet-ups with other foster carers, coffee mornings and social events. They are there for you to talk over anything that is worrying you and to celebrate the rewards and successes of your fostering experience! 

Other support services

• Virtual School [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/virtual-school] promote and co-ordinate educational support.
• Edge of Care is a service that provides intensive therapeutic to children and carers.  The work builds on a family’s strengths and introduces coping strategies.
• Dedicated Foster Carer Drop-In sessions with RISE (Support children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing) https://cwrise.com/lac/ [https://cwrise.com/lac/] 
• Compass [https://www.compass-uk.org/services/compass-coventry-children-and-young-peoples-mental-health-service/] is an early intervention and prevention service who support children and young people from 5 – 18 years, and up to 25, if they have special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) or are a care leaver.  They also support carers who are worried about a child or young person’s mental wellbeing.   

Independent support and advice

• We understand that at times you may want to speak to someone who can provide you with independent support on any issues you may experience with fostering. 
• Our foster carers are also automatically members of The Fostering Network [https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/] and New Family Social [https://newfamilysocial.org.uk/] (a charity for LGBTQ+), and can access their helplines, events, and other activities.  The Fostering Network also offers a mediation service which provides independent support to foster carers.

Available support

Foster Carers’ induction group at the Council House, Earl Street, Coventry, CV1 5RR

This group takes place on the last Wednesday of every month from 10.30am -12.30pm. The aim is to give newly approved foster carers the opportunity to meet other new foster carers, to share experiences and talk through any issues you might be experiencing. The group is run by a supervising social worker and children and families worker from the Fostering mainstream support team. Information on a particular topic that you will all experience as foster carers will be discussed; it is also an opportunity for informal discussion and questions. Some topics that are covered are: recording and other paperwork, reflection and how to use supervision with your supervising social worker effectively, Therapeutic parenting and de-escalation and managing difficult behaviours.

Training, Support and Development (TSD) standards workshop at Woodside Hub, Upper Ride, Coventry CV3 3GL

This workshop takes place on the second Friday of every month from 11:30am – 12:30pm. As a newly approved foster carer, it is a requirement that your TSD folder is completed within the first year of fostering. These sessions will provide some additional support in completing your TSD folder.

The Peer Mentoring scheme

Peer mentoring is a scheme which aims to match potential foster carer applicants with a mentor before they attend Fostering Panel for approval. Mentors can offer moral support to new carers as they have first-hand experience of the joys and challenges being a foster carer can bring. Mentors can offer reassurance, support and guidance when attending panel for the first time and during the first six months when their fostering career begins. We also offer mentors to support any foster carers who might be experiencing a particular difficulty for the first time and may benefit from support by a more experienced foster carer (the mentor). At Coventry City Council, we recognise that the role of a foster carer is both complex and demanding.

Coffee/tea and cake drop-in session at Woodside Hub, Upper Ride, Coventry CV3 3GL

This group takes place on the second Friday of each month from 10 am - 11:30 am. Come along for a chat, to build relationships and network with other carers to support you on your fostering journey.

Drop-in session at St Michael’s Children’s Centre, Hazel Grove, Bedworth, CV12 9DA

The group meets every two weeks on a Wednesday between 9:30 am and 11 am (term time only). The Children’s Centre has a play area for children. So do come along for a cup of coffee/tea and a biscuit and to meet other foster carers, while the little ones play.