Family Matters In A Nutshell

Family Matters Fostering Ltd is an Independent Fostering Agency established in 2000 by Eleanor and Antony Meade who used to foster some of the more difficult to place children themselves.  There is more about the founders in the press articles section.

 

We welcome applications from anyone who wants to become a Family Matters Carer whatever their faith, belief or culture.  We love the rich diversity of people that want to provide a home for children who cannot live with their own families and we like to provide as varied a mix as possible for those who place children with us.

 

We believe that the very best environment for a child to grow up in is a family. Nonetheless, not all children are fortunate enough to be able to live with their own families, and they need alternative provision. 

Family Matters Fostering recruits and trains substitute families to care for such children.

 

However, looking after other people’s children, especially those who may be traumatised by their past experiences, can be stressful and exhausting.

 

In a traditional functioning family setting, practical help and advice has been available to families from Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles and trusted family friends.  This was not possible for looked after children and carer families until Family Matters came on the scene ten years ago.  We have recreated this extended family by using full and part time carer support workers, enabling the main foster carers to share the load, and benefit from the friendship and support of other adults.

 

This means that the fostered children benefit from healthy relationships with a variety of interested and motivated adults, both young and old, who look after them one evening a week, as well as arranging some daytime trips. 

 

Our experienced foster carers, called senior carers, also work closely with each carer family giving informal mentoring and support, and our social workers supervise and give more formal back up.

 

Main carers may be single or couples, with or without children of their own.  These carers have children living with them full time and are given regular time off whilst the children are looked after by carer support workers. 

 

The pay is good for both main and carer support workers, and all main carers are entitled to fully paid holidays when their foster children are looked after for them.  Main cares pay increases as their experience increases and there are many opportunities to study to NVQ and Degree level sponsored by Family Matters.

 

A mileage allowance is paid, and we offer a very competitive contributory group private health insurance scheme and access to a contributory pension scheme, and for senior carers, a telephone and hospitality allowance.

 

We run excellent training courses, using recognised experts in their subjects.

 

Family Matters Fostering Ltd is registered with the Ofsted.

 

 

 

Site Map