Foster carers can expect regular support and advice from their family placement social worker, in the form of home visits, telephone calls, including access to the Out-Of-Hours Support Service and the Emergency Duty Team.
Relevant training is offered including the opportunity for selected candidates to undertake NVQ3 training.
Support groups organised by the Family Placement service are also available across the city. A support group specifically for black foster carers meets regularly and is attended by a black Family Placement Service social worker.
The Avonside Foster Carers’ Association (AFCA) which is supported by the Bristol City Council and which meets regularly with City Councillors and Senior Officers, including the Programme Director, Safeguarding and Specialist Services, Children and Young People’s Services, is also available for support to foster carers.
A clinical psychology service offers advice and counselling to carers to support them to undertake tasks with young people who may have challenging needs.
Fosterline, the confidential advice line for foster carers, provides independent, impartial advice about fostering issues is open from 9am until 8pm on Wednesdays, and from 9am to 5pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays (except bank holidays) Freephone: 0800 040 7675.