Fostering Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children

When an unaccompanied child arrives in the UK, they’re looked after by the local authority who will safeguard and promote their welfare. Often, they’ll be placed with foster families while their care plans are arranged.

Most of the time, these young people will have travelled great distances to flee war, political violence, threats to life, fear of recruitment into armed groups or exposure to exploitation and abuse. They’ve left their families, friends, home and culture behind them and have arrived in a place where the language and customs are strange to them.

We’re looking for individuals from all different ethnic backgrounds to care for a significant number of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children arriving in the UK.

Could you foster an asylum-seeking child?

Many of the children who have come to the UK seeking asylum will have experienced some form of childhood trauma. As a foster parent, you’ll need to work closely with our specialist therapeutic team to provide the young person with the support they need to begin to heal from this trauma.

Asylum seeking children are also likely to have different cultural, religious, social, familial and language experiences, which you’ll need to understand, value and maintain while helping them to successfully integrate into their new life in the UK.

SPECIALIST TRAINING AND SUPPORT

As an ISP foster parent, you’re supported by an entire network of professionals, including social workers, fostering advisors and therapists, who are on hand to offer expert support and guidance, whenever you need it.

We offer specialist training in caring for asylum-seeking children and our qualified team are on hand to support you and provide all the guidance you need. We also offer access to interpreters, so communication becomes easier for you.

We’re highly experienced in caring for unaccompanied children and have built links with a broad range of local communities to help young people develop their own sense of identity.

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FOSTERING ALLOWANCES

When you join ISP, you’ll receive a weekly fostering allowance when a young person is placed with you – from £524 – £664 per child, per week, depending on your experience and area. This fee comprises of two elements:

A child allowance to cover all expenditure in relation to the child in your care
A foster parent fee to reward you for undertaking the fostering task

You’ll also receive a holiday and summer activity allowance to encourage enriching life experiences for young people in foster care.

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fostering asylum seeking children payments

Short-term foster care

Caring for a child on a short-term basis, from a night or two and up to two years, and often required while care proceedings are ongoing.

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Long-term foster care

Offering a more permanent home for a child in care, which often lasts until they reach independence.

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Emergency care

Providing a home for a child who has been taken into care quickly due to an immediate threat to their safety or wellbeing.

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Respite foster care

Supporting a foster family who may be experiencing difficulties or in need of a break, by providing temporary care for a child. This is often 1 or 2 nights but may be longer in some circumstances.

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Children with disability

Providing specialist care to a child with a disability; this could be a child with complex medical needs, such as tube fed, limited mobility, full self-care needs, or a child with low functioning autism.

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Parent & child fostering

Providing vulnerable parents with the skills and knowledge they need to provide a safe and nurturing environment for their child and meeting their ever-changing needs.

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Other types of fostering

There are a number of different types of foster care placements, including:

Speak to our team today

Whether you’re looking for more information or you’re ready to apply, we’re here to help you on your journey.

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