FOSTER A CHILD WITH ISP>

ISP believes that the majority of children can be initially helped to overcome their difficulties by living within a substitute family. However, these children frequently present challenging behaviour where caring is not always enough. They require "professional parenting", which allows them to grow emotionally, socially and intellectually. With this in mind, ISP runs a continuous recruitment initiative to attract new and experienced foster carers, to help us achieve a comprehensive childcare programme.

To succeed as an ISP Foster Carer you will have:

  • Commitment to offering childcare to the highest standard.
  • The ability to listen and rise to a challenge.
  • A flexible approach in handling a wide range of difficult and demanding situations.
  • The ability to promote equality, diversity and the rights of the individual.
  • Good communication skills, confidence and commitment.
  • Strong motivation to acquire and develop new skills.
  • Patience, tolerance and understanding of complex issues.
  • A sense of humour.

You will be able to provide a child with:

  • A well maintained home.
  • A spare bedroom with sufficient space for playing.
  • A healthy and well balanced diet.
  • Good quality clothes, well fitting, appropriate and clean.
  • Transport that can accommodate your increased family size.

You will be able to offer:

  • A sound knowledge of child development and associated behaviours.
  • The ability to set appropriate rules and boundaries for each child.
  • A basic understanding of the difference between the needs of 'looked after' children and birth children.
  • Outstanding support, supervision and remuneration.

You will have the capacity to develop:

  • An understanding of your past and how this has shaped you.
  • An awareness of the impact that fostering will have on your family.

All families joining ISP, regardless of experience could receive an initial visit from an ISP worker to answer questions you may have. Applicants who are to be progressed are then invited to participate in a Skills to Foster Course that introduces the specialist care that fostering entails. The course enables prospective carers to gain further information in order to decide whether they wish to proceed with their application. Every family selected to join ISP is carefully assessed by an independent social worker and checked by the police and the Local Authority. Each prospective carer is expected to undertake a medical examination.

The completed assessments are then presented to the ISP Fostering Panel for Recommendation regarding their Approval.

Once carers are approved they will be expected to participate in ISP's on-going training programme.

If you are interested in giving a child a chance, we would really like to hear from you, please contact our team on fostering.team@ispchildcare.org.uk.

© ISP 2007. Integrated Services Programme (ISP) is a Not For Profit organisation.