News@www.adoption-net.co.uk
This story published August 17, 2000

Professional carers needed
by www.adoption-net.co.uk staff

Young people in crisis could be placed with specialist foster carers rather than being sent to children's homes outside Derbyshire or secure units.

Derbyshire County Council's social services department is putting the scheme in place to cater for children, mainly teenagers, who cannot live in their own homes for a variety of reasons.

Behind the scheme will be a number of 'contract carers', whose full-time paid roles will be to care for a youngster.

The self-employed carers will each have a specific contract with the county council and will take the young person into their own home to care and support them.

The social services department is now appealing for potential contract carers to apply for the new £400-a-week full-time roles.

The department, in conjunction with Derbyshire Youth Offending Service, is also looking for people to become remand contract carers.

They will take a young person on remand into their home to care and support them as an alternative to them being sent to a bail hostel or secure unit.

All contract carers and remand contract carers will be expected to dedicate their time to supporting the young person in their care, and cannot take on other paid employment.

Part of their role will be to support similar youngsters in the community. Initial and on-going training and support will be available to all the carers.

A wide range of qualities are needed by potential contract and remand contract carers but they must include:

  • Experience of working with teenagers with emotional and behavioural problems
  • A positive role model and be dedicated to wanting to help young people
  • Capable of keeping records and case files which could be used in court

    The recruiting team would especially like to hear from:

  • People with experience of residential social work or as a specialist foster carer
  • Couples or individuals, especially those aged 40-50
  • Those who have retired from caring professions

    Councillor Dave Allen, chair of the council's social services, said: "These roles are very challenging but, in some cases, can be extremely rewarding. This should make a big difference to improving the outcomes for these young people.

    "People who apply must be determined to try to make a difference to these youngsters' lives."

    For more information call Jackie Thatcher at the county council on 01629 772036.

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