Foster Carer - Nursery Practitioner/Nursery Manager

Become a Step Forward Foster Carer A Life-Changing Opportunity for Nursery Practitioners and Managers

Foster with TACT Fostering and Bury Council

Are you a nursery practitioner, nursery manager, or early years professional? You already have the dedication, patience, and nurturing spirit needed to make a life-changing difference in a young person s life.

We are looking for caring, experienced individuals like you to become Step Forward Foster Carers offering a safe, supportive home to a young person transitioning from residential care. This is a unique opportunity to take the skills you ve developed in early years settings and use them to provide stability and hope on a more personal level.
This could be your most rewarding role yet offering not just care, but a brighter future.

What is Step Forward Fostering?

Step Forward Fostering is a pioneering project that helps young people who have faced trauma, loss, and instability to move from residential care into a nurturing family environment.
These young people aren t just looking for a place to stay they need someone like you: a compassionate adult who understands their needs, offers guidance, and provides the consistency they ve often missed.
As a Step Forward Foster Carer , you ll be part of a supportive community, working alongside professionals who are there to help you every step of the way.

What You ll Receive:

We understand that caring for a young person with complex needs is a significant commitment. That s why we provide comprehensive support both emotionally and financially.

Specialist Support:

• Your own Senior Practitioner offering regular guidance and supervision
• A Family Wellbeing Worker to support you and your foster child
• A Hub Carer providing up to 28 days of planned short breaks every year
• 24/7 Out-of-Hours Support, ensuring you re never alone
• Access to a network of other Step Forward Carers for peer support
• Ongoing training in trauma-informed care and understanding neurodevelopmental needs
• Therapeutic and psychological support to strengthen your existing care skills

Financial Package:

We recognise the commitment it takes to support a young person with complex needs and offer a generous financial package to help you focus fully on providing stability and care.

• GBP1,052 per week while you have a child placed with you (around GBP54,704 a year)
• GBP408 per week retainer between placements (up to GBP21,216 a year)
• Extra allowances for birthdays, holidays, and cultural celebrations
• Tax exemptions specifically designed for foster carers

Is This You?

We are looking for nursery practitioners and managers who are:

• Passionate about making a difference beyond the nursery environment
• Skilled in building positive, trusting relationships with children and young people
• Resilient, empathetic, and committed to providing stability
• Ready to transfer their professional skills to a family-based setting

If this sounds like you, we would love to hear from you!
Please note: Ideally, applicants should not have children under 16 living at home, but we consider each family situation individually.

To Be Eligible, You ll Need:

• Experience working with children, young people, or families
• Full-time availability and a spare bedroom
• A willingness to complete our professional training
• The right to work in the UK