We will talk everything through with you to make sure a move is right for you. We keep things confidential and give you time to consider this step.
We recognise your experience as a foster carer and bespoke support is available. We have a dedicated team of social workers, ready to support your transfer.
Why foster with Essex County Council?
Essex County Council will make the best matches
Every child has different needs, we know your family do too. As the social care authority, we're responsible for all children in care. We make the most compatible child-carer matches.
Essex County Council are brilliant when it comes to matching you with the right children for your circumstances. They have supported me the whole way through to the right placement.
Some fostering agencies are private businesses
Children's needs are at the heart of every decision we make. Whereas, some independent fostering agencies have profit goals and stakeholders to impress. By fostering with Essex, funding supports more children, instead of creating business profits.
You're supported by a social worker with low caseloads
Rated "Outstanding" by Ofsted, our Children and Families teams are here for you. Your social worker is on hand and a 24/7 support line is available too. Plus, your family will have access to a mental health clinicians.
Respite foster care is available
Experienced foster carers lead Oasis networks, supporting other carers. They offer an extended family to children in care, as families socialise with each other. Network leads open their home for sleepovers too, like an aunt or uncle would.
This gives our foster carers breathing room, and children are staying with a family they know.
Benefits of fostering with Essex County Council
Competitive fees and allowances
We know foster carers are not motivated by money, but everyone has living costs. When you foster with Essex County Council, we want you to be secure. Fees, and allowances, are paid per child. Learn more about foster carers fees and allowances.
Our foster carers have access to excellent training courses
Lead by experts, courses are a flexible mix of in-person, and online. You will create a tailored learning plan, with courses available for your family too.
Our teams run in-person support groups
Every month, our social workers run in-person support groups. These are in venues across Essex, so you don't need to travel very far. Find out more about our support for foster carers.
Other foster carer benefits
- 28 days of paid holiday each year
- a retention fee. You will still be paid for up to 28 days between a child leaving your care and another child coming into your care. This applies if your home is empty, you’re not caring for any other foster children.
- extra payments towards birthdays and Christmas celebrations
- extra payments during summer holidays, towards days out
- paid expenses (for travel to training courses, family visits and specialist equipment)
How to transfer to Essex County Council
We have a team specialising in helping carers transfer to us. This makes your assessment process as quick, and robust, as possible. Whether you have children with you, or you don't, chat with the team today, to discuss your next steps.
Our fostering team are here to reassure you before taking the leap.