Step Up Fostering
Step Up Fostering helps children move from residential care into loving family homes. If you’re resilient, committed, and ready for a career that changes lives, we’ll provide full training, specialist support, and a competitive package.
Step Up Fostering – Your Skills Can Change a Life
Do you have experience working with children or young people? Are you resilient, creative, and committed to making a difference? If so, you could be the person a child is waiting for.
Step Up Fostering is a specialist scheme that helps children and young people move from residential care into a family environment. Many of these children have faced difficult experiences, including abuse and neglect, and need carers who can offer stability, understanding, and hope.
Why Choose Step Up Fostering?
The number of children coming into care has increased significantly in recent years. A shortage of foster carers means many children – some as young as 8 years old – are living in residential homes when they could, and should, be in a family setting.
This is where you come in. Your skills, patience, and determination can give a child the chance to thrive.
Can I do Step Up Fostering?
To become a Step Up Foster Carer, you’ll need:
- A spare bedroom in your home.
- Experience working with children or young people, especially those with additional needs or challenging behaviours.
- A full driving licence and access to a car.
- Personal qualities: resilience, creativity, and commitment to achieving positive outcomes.
- Full-time availability to foster once approved.
- Commitment to ongoing training and development.
- Willingness to use our therapeutic Practice Model (DDP), which focuses on attachment and trauma-informed care using PACE: Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity, Empathy.
Step Up Fostering Support and Training
We know fostering is a big commitment, so we provide:
- Specialist training and ongoing support from a dedicated team.
- Access to therapeutic resources and group supervision.
- A competitive professional fee and child maintenance allowance.
(For full details, use our Finance Calculator to download our Finance Brochure).
Ready to Start Your Step Up Fostering Journey?
Your experience could change a child’s future. Take the first step today.
FAQs About Step Up Fostering
What is Step Up Fostering?
Step Up Fostering is a Birmingham Children’s Trust specialist scheme that helps children and young people move from residential care into a family home with experienced foster carers. It’s designed for those ready to thrive in a nurturing environment.
Who can become a Step Up foster carer?
If you have experience working with children or young people – such as in residential care, youth work, or fostering – you may be eligible. You’ll also need a spare bedroom, a driving licence, and the resilience to support children who’ve faced challenges.
Will I need to leave my current job?
Step Up fostering is a full-time commitment because children need stability and focused care during their transition. Many carers see this as a career change – a chance to use their skills in a meaningful way while being financially supported. You’ll receive a competitive professional fee plus a child maintenance allowance.
What kind of children will I care for?
Children and young people who have spent time in residential care and are ready to move into a family setting. They may have experienced trauma, so resilience and empathy are essential.
