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Islanders are being urged to open their hearts and homes to children with “high needs and challenging behaviours” as an alternative to placing them in residential facilities or sending them off-island.
The Government has launched a recruitment campaign to find people willing to become full-time ‘intensive foster carers’, who would be trained and paid to provide specialist care and support to children and young people.
“Our aim is to keep Jersey children in the Island, if this is in their best interest,” explained Mark Owers, Director of Safeguarding and Care.
“Intensive foster caring is a specialist, full-time role to care for children will high needs and challenging behaviours. Difficulties often stem from adverse childhood experiences and developmental trauma.”
Pictured: The aim of the campaign is to avoid sending children with complex needs, who may be affected by trauma, to residential homes or off-island.
Successful applicants will be paid a yearly salary of £52,000, in addition to maintenance allowances, travel and equipment expenses. They will not be able to hold another job.
They will receive 28 days’ holiday, and be asked to support other intensive foster carers by providing respite and short-break care.
Prospective intensive foster carers will undergo assessment and will undertake comprehensive training to fully prepare them to support the emotional, psychological, and social development of the child in their care.
They will also be supported by a dedicated social worker and psychologist, as well as specialist support groups.
A live webinar will be held next Wednesday (5 May) at 18:00 for interested islanders to learn more about becoming an intensive foster carer.
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