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Support offer for foster carers

Whether you choose to opt for full-time foster care or short break care, Blackpool Council will provide you with a full support package.

Our support offer includes:

Financial support 

  • Financial allowances including allowances for clothing, birthdays, holidays and religious festivals including Christmas, Eid etc
  • Reimbursement for equipment to care for our children – prams, baby monitors, wardrobes, bedside cabinets, Moses baskets, highchairs, mattresses, car seats, bed frames, bunk beds if required, steriliser and stair gate
  • Payment for mileage (34p per mile)
  • £500 refer a friend to become a foster carer allowance
  • Financial incentives for supporting with recruitment campaigns, training and interviews

Advice and specialist support

  • An out of hours advice line 365 days a year. This is available in an evening and on weekends (Monday to Friday 6.00am to 9.00pm, and Saturday, Sunday and bank holidays from 12noon to 9.00pm)
  • Access to drop-ins and interventions with our in-house Child Psychologist who specifically works with our children
  • Our Children and Carers Support Team who work specifically with foster carers, our children and young people
  • Opportunity to join the Mockingbird Model. This provides peer support and guidance alongside social activities, planned and emergency sleepovers and learning and development opportunities to all those within the constellation
  • Access to a free 24/7 helpline from Health Assured offering wellbeing and mental health support 

Training 

  • Full training programme including PACE (Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity, and Empathy) training delivered by our in-house child psychologist

Benefits and discounts

  • All of our foster carers receive an ID badge at point of approval. This can support with getting discounts in Blackpool including at local several cafes and restaurants, up to 15% off the cost of new or upgraded plans at Vodafone, and 10% off at the Pleasure Beach and Hot Ice 
  • Blue light card once approved offering discounts across days out, leisure and entertainment, food and dining, toys, gifts and flowers, and much more
  • Every child and young person who is looked after by Blackpool Council gets a Passport to Leisure Card. This gives them free or reduced access to all the leisure facilities in Blackpool

Social and peer support