Find out if you could be a foster carer
In a few simple questions, you’ll know if you’re suitable to apply to become a foster carer.
Brighter Futures Foster Care is an independent fostering agency working across central and southern England. We are a small agency with a positive family feel, with the added benefit of being part of the National Fostering Group, which is the largest provider of foster carers in the UK.
Address
Warlies Park House
Horseshoe Hill, Waltham Abbey
Essex
EN9 3SL
Phone number
01992 800070
General email
[email protected]
Opening Hours
Brighter Futures provides wraparound fostering support for you and the child in your care. We have dedicated teams of social workers from Peterborough in the Midlands to Kent, Hampshire, the south coast and everywhere in between. We currently work with more than 50 foster carers, 90 foster children, and two parent and child placements.
Despite being a small agency, Brighter Futures receives referrals from all over the UK, and works with 52 local authorities. The agency values diversity in both its children, foster carers and staff. From the moment you enquire with us about becoming a foster carer, we are with you every step of the way to answer any questions you have about foster care.
We are focused on giving vulnerable children and young people the caring and supportive homes they need in order to grow up happy, healthy and ready to find their way in the world. Our teams provide specialist local fostering support to our foster carers at any time day or night throughout the year.
Rated OUTSTANDING by Ofsted, we find, develop, train and support those who want to make a big difference to the lives of children. We guide our diverse family of foster carers to offer children in their care all the personal and educational opportunities they deserve.
People from all walks of life can become a carer. You can help to inspire a generation of vulnerable children and young people to find their way in the world. You can help us build an incredible future for them. If you’re interested in becoming a foster carer with Brighter Futures, please get in touch with us today.
“This is not just a job. Everyone who works here is dedicated, enthusiastic and passionate about the work they do. We tend to employ a flat hierarchical model so people can pursue their particular interests and develop professionally. We are all clear about our roles and responsibilities, however. We work together to achieve the best outcomes for the children. We have high expectations of each other and ourselves and we support each other to a high degree.”
Bridget Thomas, Registered Manager
Brighter Futures has been changing the lives of looked after children for the better since 2007.
This means we can offer our foster carers the specialist local foster training and support, and we have a nationally recognised fostering community who share our dedication to making children in our care remain at the heart of everything we do.
Our foster carers can claim a wide range of perks and benefits, like free membership to The Fostering Network, Max Cards,high street discounts, invitations to family activities and events, and much more.
We are acutely aware that improving the lives of hundreds of children and young people doesn’t happen overnight. Making it happen starts with making sure that our foster carers have everything they need day and night.
Registered Manager Bridget started as a social worker and encourages a collaborative approach to decision-making. Foster carers are regarded as the experts on the children they care for and are valued as professional colleagues.
The agency regards the whole foster family as a unit and the way the unit operates is the most crucial consideration. How the family dynamics suit the young person: the quality of relationships; the opportunities for repairing ruptured attachments; the level of warmth and skill. We look at these issues very closely and support to a high level.
Our aim is to build an alternative extended family for the young person. We provide a high level of skilled training to all foster family members to support young people’s needs in a sensitive way that is unique to the young person and plays to the strengths of the foster family.
Our experienced team knows what counts when it comes to supporting you and your family during your fostering adventure. This is why you will have access to a 24/7 staffed phone line, a programme of online training, peer support and advice, support groups and events in your local area, as well as the chance to improve your skills and expand your knowledge on a range of foster care topics from our experienced training leaders.
“People like to work here – we have a staff team of 14 and most have been with us a long time. 60% percent of the children we care for have been with us for more than 2 years and approx. 30% for more than 7 years. Some of our young people have been with us for 12 years plus.”
Bridget Thomas, Registered Manager
Social workers know foster carers by name and the agency is proud of having the highest level of placement stability in the National Fostering Group. Some children have been with the agency for longer than 12 years
Foster carers are supported by peer mentors – foster carers with considerable experience of caring for children with difficulties who can empathise and offer practical advice. We also have a foster carers forum so that foster carers can make their voices heard and the team is keen to listen.
“Sometimes foster carers just want to talk to other foster carers and our peer mentors offer down to earth support.”
Bridget Thomas, Registered Manager
