Our enquiry team can discuss ways fostering can fit in with your own career and family. Call or email us today to learn more.
Support for foster carers from Essex County Council
Join a local support group
Casual support groups bring together your local fostering community and social workers. Support group themes include male foster carers and foster carers for babies. Come together, chat and be a part of a community.
Your social worker will have low caseloads
Your supervising social worker will have a low caseload, making sure we can be there when you need us. Our team are available 24/7 for local, emergency help.
Experienced foster carers are on hand to help you too
Experienced foster carers lead Oasis networks, offering an extended family to you and your foster children. Your families socialise, as another type of family would. If you, or your foster child needs some breathing room, they can stay with their Oasis family.
Financial support for "the little things"
Essex County Council offer foster carers an extensive financial package, including:
- extra allowances at Christmas and birthdays
- extra allowances during the Summer holidays
- paid expenses available
Foster carer training for your family, delivered by experts
Working with your social worker, you will build a bespoke training plan to continue learning on the job.
Support for your family
Most of our foster carers have their own children, either little or grown up and moved out. Birth children have an important role to play, and they are absolutely supported too.
mental health support is available for your whole household
Essex County Council have an in-house team of mental health professionals. They will support foster carers, your own children and foster children with any concerns.
in-person events throughout the year
Fostering families are welcome to events like summer picnics and Christmas parties. Birth children can meet and learn from each other's experiences.
Other support available
Support from the Essex Foster Carers Association (EFCA)
EFCA is an independent charitable trust, run by experienced Essex foster carers. Every area of Essex has a dedicated EFCA lead available. The team answer general questions and concerns, leaning on their own experiences. Please contact Amanda Stevens for contact details on your lead.
Paid membership to The Fostering Network
When you foster with Essex County Council, we pay for your membership to The Fostering Network. They’re completely independent from Essex County Council. They offer loads of support including 24-hour helplines, financial and legal advice.