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Fostering in Reading
Our wrap-around therapeutic support and City & Guilds Assured training will help you make a life-changing difference to young people in care.
Therapeutic fostering in Reading
The number of children in care in Reading is increasing, and we need more dedicated and passionate people like you to provide them with love, care and guidance.
With over 35 years of experience in supporting foster families to transform the lives of children and young people in care, you can trust that you're in expert hands.
Our wrap-around support includes a dedicated network of professionals—social workers, teachers, therapists, and fostering advisors—backed by an exceptional City & Guilds-assured training programme. Together, we'll help you make the meaningful difference you entered fostering to achieve.
If you’re considering fostering in Reading or the wider Berkshire area, we encourage you to consider joining our network of professionals here at ISP.
Download information pack
If you're interested in fostering, then download our information pack to discover everything you need to know about becoming a foster parent with ISP.
Tax-free fostering allowances in Reading
When you join ISP, you'll benefit from a generous, typically tax-free allowance for each child in your care, thanks to special tax rules for foster parents.
As your experience grows, you'll also have opportunities to enhance your allowance by completing additional training.
Beyond the excellent allowances, you'll enjoy a wide range of additional benefits, including:
- Special allowances for summer activities and holidays
- Funding for new school uniforms
- Up to 22 nights of respite care each year to recharge and rest
- Access to exclusive discounts through our foster parent rewards platform
- A calendar full of local events, activities, and celebrations so you can connect with other fostering families in the area
Download our finance guide
Our handy finance guide will help you to understand the ins and outs of fostering finances, including tax, benefits and national insurance.
A therapeutic network of 24/7 support
Fostering isn’t easy—it comes with its ups and downs—but with ISP, you’ll never face it alone. We’ll celebrate the highs with you and stand by your side through the challenges, providing all the support you and the young people in your care need.
Our complete wrap-around support package includes:
- Your dedicated social worker will be by your side, offering regular advice, guidance, and support for both you and the children in your care.
- Our in-house experts, including therapists, fostering advisers, teachers, and other highly skilled professionals, are here to provide the expertise you need to feel confident and supported in your role.
- Our 24/7 helpline is available morning, noon, and night so you can access guidance and reassurance whenever you need it.
- Through foster parent support groups, you’ll find a network of local foster parents who understand your experiences, offering friendship and more people to lean on.
- Our City & Guilds Therapeutic Pathway Programme, along with additional training courses, will help you develop the therapeutic skills to thrive at every stage of your fostering journey.
- Every child you care for will have access to a personalised therapy programme, supporting their path towards healing and growth.
- Our knowledge hub offers instant access to an extensive library of therapeutic resources covering vital topics such as the secure base model, PACE parenting, attachment theory, and more.
- With our I-SPACE hub, you’ll have quick, easy access to essential policies, handbooks, and resources whenever needed.
Therapeutic training for foster parents
As a foster parent in the Reading area, you’ll be supported by the Chesham fostering team, giving you access to regular support groups and in-person training. Our specially designed therapeutic foster care programme, assured by City & Guilds, equips you with essential skills.
In addition, we offer a wide range of mandatory and optional training opportunities, available both in person and online, providing the flexibility you need to grow and succeed as a foster parent.
We really value training and development here at ISP, which is why foster parents who take part in our advanced training will be eligible to move up to our ‘senior’ payment tier, where they shall receive a higher fostering allowance to reflect their skill set and dedication to continual self-improvement.
What does it take to become a foster parent?
Fostering is open to everyone with a good heart, a resilient attitude and a desire to learn. Your relationship status, sexuality, gender, race, or faith will not be barriers to your fostering journey.
Our foster parents come from a wide variety of backgrounds and professions, but all share the same mission: to transform the lives of children and support their growth into healthy, happy adults.
When you enquire with our team, you’ll have the opportunity to undergo a fostering assessment where we’ll help you to decide if fostering is right for you. You’ll then complete some initial mandatory training before being matched with a child who could be best served by your unique strengths as a foster parent.
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