Specialist Fostering:
Local Intensive Fostering Programme (LIFe scheme)

Hackney Children and Young People’s Services are looking for foster carers for a new intensive fostering programme. This programme combines specialist foster care with support services, both practical and emotional, which wrap around the young person and provide a total, integrated service. The programme is based on a proven successful approach known as Social Learning Theory.

The Hackney LIFe programme is for young people between the ages of 10 to 16 years who have shown complex and challenging behaviours. Each Core Programme placement is for six months, after which the young person moves on to a permanent placement or returns to their birth or adoptive family.

This is an exciting and innovative programme which will set the standard for the way we work with this particular group of children and young people. The programme is highly structured and intensive, and highly supported, in recognition of the complexity of the task.

It focuses on reinforcing desired behaviours by positive response and reward. Unwanted behaviour is progressively marginalised, as desired behaviour comes to the fore.

We are looking for carers who -

• are two adults (over 21 years) in a household and who will be able to be co-carers. We welcome any form of strong relationship: from marriage/civil partnership or permanent couple relationship, through to parent and adult child, to close friendship between adults sharing a house
• one carer will be available full-time for the programme; the other carer may be working
• have at least two years experience of working with or caring for this client group e.g. from caring backgrounds, such as youth work, education, sports and leisure, mentoring or social work
• are able to commit to working with the children and young people for a minimum period of 12 months
• are able to offer a home environment where there are no other children under the age of 16, either resident or cared for, on a regular basis
• can demonstrate an ability to work as part of a core team supported by therapists, social workers and education workers. You will be valued as a key part of a highly professional team
• can work within a highly defined model in order to achieve successful outcomes
• are able to attend all meetings concerned with the programme

In return -

• carers will receive a fee of £550.00 a week as well as a generous fostering allowance for the care of the young person
• you will also have a one month paid break at the end of each placement, prior to taking on your next young person
• you will be rewarded by being central to making a positive contribution to the lives of children and young people 'Looked After' by the London Borough of Hackney
• you will also receive regular supervision, daily direct support within the home and have access to 24 hour support
• you will receive full preparation for the task in particular intensive training in the model of Social Learning Theory which underpins the programme, for attendance at which (by both adults) an honorarium will be paid to the working partner
• you will have ongoing support and training from clinicians and support workers

If you think you can meet this challenge WE WANT YOU!

How to find out more about this scheme

If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a specialist foster carer and would like to know more you can contact us using any of the following methods -

• call us on 08000 730 418, where you will be able to talk to a social worker experienced in specialist fostering practice. You will then be sent some information on the scheme, which is also available to download on the right of this page
• visit the Hackneykids website, where you can find details on open days for this scheme

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Page updated: 28 Oct 2008