Time off for foster carers

We are a Fostering Friendly Employer, accredited by the Fostering Network, the UK’s leading fostering charity. 

As part of our commitment to helping colleagues balance their work and fostering responsibilities, we have published a Fostering Family Friendly policy (PDF, 200KB) to offer carers the flexibility you need.

Unlike people who are about to become parents (whether having a baby or adopting), most foster carers are not entitled to any paid statutory time off work.

Within Essex, you can get paid time off while you are applying to become a foster carer or supported lodgings carer. You can get further time off once you become a Essex County Council registered carer.

Taking leave to attend foster recruitment days, training or a fostering panel

If you are applying to become a foster carer or supported lodgings carer within Essex, you can take the paid time off for: 

• up to 3 days' of fostering recruitment days and training
• up to 1 day to attend a fostering panel

To confirm you are entitled to take this leave, your manager will receive an email from the Fostering Recruitment team to confirm that you are applying to become a foster carer.

How to book leave for recruitment, training or a foster panel

Speak to your manager as soon as you can if you need time off to attend an appointment, meeting or training.

You manager will complete your requests on My Oracle and record time off as ‘Training/study leave’.

Taking foster carer leave once you are a registered carer

If you are a Essex County Council registered foster carer or supported lodgings carer, you can take up to five days' paid foster carer leave (pro rata for part-time employees) per financial year.

These five days can be used to attend meetings and training courses that are a priority for your role.

You will need to show your entitlement to paid leave. Your manager will receive an email from your fostering team to confirm that you are an approved foster carer or supported lodgings carer. This should be uploaded on your records on My Oracle, under “Document Records” as “Notification”.

How to book foster carer leave

Speak to your manager as soon as you can if you need time off to attend an appointment, meeting or training.

You manager will complete your requests on My Oracle and record time off under ‘Family leave’, then choosing the ‘Foster carer’s leave’ option.

If you need more time off

Foster carers and supported lodgings carers are eligible for unpaid parental leave, carers leave and emergency dependants leave, if needed.

If you choose to take unpaid leave, you will continue to be paid as a foster carer, but you will not be paid for the role you are taking a break from.

Fostering to adopt

If you’re fostering a child with a view to adopting them, often called a 'foster to adopt' situation, you are entitled to adoption leave and pay.