Time off for foster carers

You may be able to take up to five days' leave per financial year, as well as paid leave when applying to care for a child.

Foster care refer a friend scheme

If you have a friend or family member who is patient, kind and committed to improving children’s lives, they may be an excellent foster carer.  

Offering a young person a safe, stable home is an incredible rewarding role. Unfortunately, as more vulnerable children are coming into care, we need more carers.  

It’s more flexible than you think too. You can foster for just one weekend a month. We’re asking colleagues across Essex County Council to suggest fostering to any friends and family.  

Who you can refer

If you have friends, family members or neighbours with the values to become a foster carer, you can refer them. Fostering’s enquiry team will start a discussion with them privately. 

Essex County Council staff can not refer anyone who is a colleague.  

Rewards for referring a friend

If you refer a friend, you will receive:

  • a £30 (thirty) One4All voucher after a home visit
  • £1,000 (one thousand) after they are successfully approved by panel - this can be either in vouchers or through payroll

Who is eligible

The scheme is open to all Essex County Council employees. Approved foster carers and supported lodgings carers are also encouraged to share details of fostering.

What happens after you have referred someone

All applicants will be assessed the same way, regardless of who has referred them. This is important for safeguarding reasons.

How to refer someone

The person you are referring should email fosterrecruitment@essex.gov.uk and share your name. Then, the enquiry team will support them throughout the process.

 

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