Considering Fostering?

What is Next Step Fostering?

Next Step is an established and creative childcare organisation that has offered a wide range of fostering services to children and young people since 1988. We have our Head Office in Wrens Hill House, in Faversham, Kent a further office in the Medway Towns, Kent and then three offices in London situated at Selsdon (South London), Wanstead (East London) and Burnham (West London).

Within Next Step, we have a qualified and experienced team of professionals who offer immediate support, training and guidance to carers to ensure the children we look after are given the best opportunities.

What is the difference between an independent fostering agency and Local Authority fostering?

The Local Authorities are ultimately responsible for the well being of all children in public care. They need to find the best way of looking after these children to make sure that they receive the best possible standard of care.

Independent fostering agencies such as Next step provide a specialist fostering service to Local Authorities and we work in partnership with them. We have our own foster carers, social workers, therapists and staff who work hard to ensure that the needs of the carers and children are met to high standards and without delay.

Professional Support

The team of professionals within Next Step includes qualified Social Workers and Link Workers who work actively with foster families, colleagues from Local Authorities and other professionals who see the children. In addition to a 24-hour emergency service to carers, we offer staff and facilities for children to see their families within a supervised setting.

We offer Foster Carers the option of our Day Service Programme, looking after any child who is not in a mainstream school. Carers are expected to get the young person to and from the service and the staff work hard to help children into school. This is a wonderful support for our carers.

Who can apply to be a foster carer?

Anyone can be a good foster carer. It does not matter if you are married or single, gay or lesbian, young or old.
Initial discussions will include questions about your home environment, motivation and commitment.

Training and Preparation for carers

To fulfil their role as carers, Next Step families participate in an intensive training and assessment process in preparation for the challenges of their work. They also benefit from the experience of senior foster families who will make a contribution to the training and mentoring of newer Next Step families.