The first steps

Can you help children to trust again?

Do you have the skills to become a foster carer?

Outlook Fostering Services are currently seeking new carers in Dorset, Hampshire, Sussex, Kent, Essex, East Anglia, Surrey and London.

We are looking for people who want to make a real difference to children and teenagers who need a supportive and stable home environment.

Foster carers who can provide caring homes and appropriate accommodation are in great demand. So, what skills (and practical considerations) do you need to become a foster parent?

To be able to provide a nurturing environment
Experience of working with children in a practical or professional capacity
The ability to provide a child with their own bedroom
To successfully complete the assessment process
Be willing to commit to a continuous training programme

People who wish to become Foster Carers for Outlook Fostering Services must be able to evidence their ability in the following areas, in order to provide the excellent standard of care that the Agency is renowned for.

You have an ability to meet the day to day care of the children being looked after, bearing in mind that particular children have experienced separation, loss and the trauma of abuse.
You genuinely like children and can remain enthusiastic even when things are difficult.
Your marriage, partnership or support network of friends and family can withstand the pressures associated with fostering.
You have an ability to set appropriate boundaries, and keep children safe within these, without use of physical or inappropriate punishment.
You can accept a child who may reject or strongly disagree with your views and feelings.
You are able to build trusting relationships with the young people placed.
You do not expect children to be grateful for the care you show and understand that they may take time to respond.
You can listen and communicate with children as appropriate to their age and understanding.
You can accept and deal with anger from children.
You would be willing to promote and facilitate contact as appropriate to the placement.
You have an ability to draw upon & improve skills developed during training, & to commit to ongoing learning & training.

You can, when necessary, reach out to others for support.
You can understand that children may lie, steal or display sexualised behaviour
You would maintain confidentiality and keep clear recordings of information.
You have access to a computer, printer and email.
You would participate in meetings and reviews, as appropriate.
You have an ability to work in an anti-discriminatory way.
You can accept that things in your house might be messed up, moved or broken
And finally, that you have a good sense of humour and can SMILE J when the going gets tough!!!!!!!

Before every planned placement, we carry out a full assessment to ensure the best match is found. This process works. Over 70% of our looked after children stay with their carers on a long term basis.

As part of the Outlook team you will help to provide a wide range of care solutions. Typically, the children that are referred to Outlook Fostering are between the ages of eight and 14.

"Outlook have no upper age limit but we do find that Local Authorities will not consider more than a 45year age gap between the Foster Carers and the child to be placed" Outlook do have a lower age limit of 25years.

Outlook might not be able to proceed with your application if you have children aged eleven years or under, as we have found that Local Authorities are often reluctant to place Looked After Children with young children.

Contact Us

For more information on becoming a foster parent, please email us or call us on 01233 610661

Equal Opportunities

Outlook is an equal opportunities employer. We actively pursue an equal opportunities policy within the organisation not just for our employees and foster carers but also for the children placed with our carers. Culture, age, gender, ethnic origin, religion, language, sexuality and disability are all sensitively addressed during the matching procedure. Equal opportunities form an important part of our foster carers training programme.