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Why Foster

Fostering can be one of the most fulfilling and rewarding things you can do

There are so many reasons you might want to consider fostering with Torbay. Instead of taking our word for it, here’s what some of our foster carers have said about what fostering means to them. These quotes are from a survey we carried out with them in 2023: 

 

  • “Life-affirming. Rewarding. Fun. Challenging. Exhilarating.” 

  • “Helping children to recover from difficult experiences. Seeing a child thrive. Helping children to move on to their permanent home.” 

  • “Making a positive change and difference to the lives of the young people we care for.” 

  • “Giving children what they deserve and have the right to have.” 

  • “It’s the best thing ever.” 

  • “We have fun, feel we are helping others, and as we get older it helps to keeps active and more in touch.” 

  • “They can be part of your family. Being at home more. Free training. Holiday pay. Good rates of pay. Making a difference in children's lives. Seeing children develop grow and flourish.” 

  • “Seeing a child happy and smiling.”   

Support you will get and what we can offer you 

Fostering is a rewarding and fulfilling lifestyle option. You get the chance to help a child or young person who has had a difficult start in life. As a foster carer for us you get lots of support and training to help you on your journey. 

You would receive a range of benefits, which include: 

  • Extensive support and training from:  
  • Torbay’s Fostering service 
  • External trainers  
  • Torbay’s Learning Academy 
  • A dedicated social worker. 
  • Mentoring and support from an experienced foster carer. 
  • A weekly payment and lots of benefits and discounts. 
  • Additional professional support. For example, teachers, doctors, health visitors, school nurses, etc. 
  • The opportunity to attend local support groups with other foster carers. 
  • An emergency out of hours phone line for support, guidance and visits if needed. 
  • The opportunity to attend a quarterly foster carers forum. 
  • Regular fun events with the children, including:  
  • Summer Barbecue 
  • Annual Christmas Party 
  • Various tickets / discounted tickets for attractions in and around Torbay.  
  • Tickets for the Christmas Train of Lights with Dartmouth Steam Railway and Riverboat Company. 
Back to Become a Foster Carer

Contact us about Fostering