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Why foster with Safehouses

If you live in the Greater Manchester or Oldham area, and are considering a career as a foster carer, Safehouses Fostering can guide you every step of the way on your journey. The support, resources and training we offer go above and beyond what local authorities and many other fostering agencies are able to offer.

We’re really lucky to have an amazing headquarters, where our local team are based. Aside from the office and training rooms, we have lots of informal common areas, where carers, birth families, and cared for children can be together in a relaxed setting.

We have been rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted three times, and here’s a few unique things that sets Safehouses Fostering apart.

foster child making dough

Support in education

In addition to the supervising social workers, two teachers are part of the Safehouses team. They work with young people to help boost confidence and achievement. They liaise with and organise activities. In these days to have teaching in a foster care agency is unusual.

foster child holds hands with foster mum

Support workers

Our support workers are brilliant. The informality, fun and listening ear that they bring to the support care is much appreciated by the young people.

types of fostering

Stability

Safehouses has an excellent record for stability in our foster placements. This is an essential factor in recovery from childhood trauma. We have a reputation for successful long-term placements that see our cared for children stay with their foster families until they are young adults, and often beyond this.

foster siblings playing together

Stringent about matching

We achieve stability by making the right match between young people and their carers a priority. Young people’s futures are at stake – so there’s not a “heads on beds” outlook at Safehouses.

foster child with foster dad walking

100% school attendance

All the young people with Safehouses are in school or college, and they maintain excellent attendance records.

Ofsted Outstanding Provider logo

An outstanding reputation

Safehouses was awarded an ‘Outstanding’ rating in our last Ofsted inspection and we’re proud of our good reputation with local authority commissioners.

foster siblings washing up with foster dad

Activities

Safehouses organises activity days for both foster children and birth children during school holidays, including: pantomimes, parties, sports days, craft workshops, treasure hunts, trips out.

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foster teenagers group activity hugging

We talk to each other

At Safehouses we really are a mix. Children, carers and staff talk to and learn from each other. The Carers’ Forum and discussion groups of young people are essential in influencing what we do and how we move forward.

foster child making dough

Pay and allowances

It is our responsibility to ensure our carers are equipped with the resources they need to offer a safe and loving home. That’s why we pay our foster carers a generous fostering allowance so they can focus on giving their foster child the best possible care.

foster teenagers group activity hugging

Training and support

We know that fostering can create challenge and reward in equal measure. As a Safehouses foster carer you will have access to ongoing training and career development designed to help you create the most positive possible experience for your family.

foster family shoes

Could you provide a safe, loving home to a child?

Start your fostering career today, get in touch with us to find out how. We would love to hear from you.

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