Gateshead Council is recruiting foster carers to look after children of all ages from Gateshead.  We are passionate about providing the best care and support for our vulnerable children and young people and encourage applications from people with an interest in providing support in their homes, who live within a 30-mile radius of Gateshead Civic Centre. We need both short and long-term foster carers to join our expanding team and care for a range of children including: Children of all ages (0-18 years) Teenagers Brothers and sisters Children with a range of disabilities Parent and child Unaccompanied asylum-seeking children, who have left their parents and own countries and come to the UK Types of foster care There are different types of foster care to meet the different needs of the children and young people we care for. Some children need homes for a weekend or a few weeks, whereas some children need to stay for months, years or even longer. The different types of foster carers we need include:                     Long term - provides children and young people with a family to support them into adulthood.  Short term – provides support for a few days or months up to two years, depending on the circumstances of the child or young person. Respite - part time foster care for children to help families in difficulty, providing a break for parents, children or full-time foster carers. Home from home - foster carers provide disabled children with regular short breaks by linking them with another family. Parent and child - foster carers provide support, in their home, to young parent(s) caring for their new baby or very young child. Who can apply? There's no such thing as a typical foster carer. Our carers come from all walks of life, just like the children who need to be cared for. We're looking for people who are patient, flexible, understanding, determined and keen to learn. Your individual qualities and what you can offer to a child or young person are what matter to us.  If you have fostered before and would like to return, or if you have ever thought about fostering, we can help you decide if fostering could be for you. We are looking for people who: -are aged over 21 and live within a 30-mile radius of Gateshead Civic Centre, - have the time, energy and space in your home to look after children or young people, - would like to use your skills in a new way and develop further skills, and - can provide a safe and secure environment for children or young people in your home. To apply be a foster carer you must: be over 21 years of age and fit and active enough to care for a child. There is no upper age limit but you need to be able to meet the needs of the child. have a separate bedroom suitable for a child or young person (unless you are fostering a baby or child up to two years of age in which case the child can sleep in a cot in your bedroom). be a full-time UK resident or have indefinite leave to remain. What we offer you In return for the vital role you will play, as part of our service we will offer you: a weekly fostering fee as well as a child allowance, a high-quality training and support package and career progression, support from your named supervising social worker and from the social workers of the children you look after, access to support group meetings and 24- hour telephone support, educational support and access to therapeutic and psychological support for children were necessary, direct links to other Gateshead Council services, independent advice through Foster Talk, opportunities to meet other carers socially, free access to Go Gateshead swimming and fitness suite and discounts on other activities in these centres, and a “my max card” giving you discounted admission to attractions and activities in the UK, and the opportunity to work as part of an Ofsted rated “Good” service and make a significant difference to the children and young people who come to live with you. Foster carers can also claim tax exemption allowance and tax relief for the children in their care. Please contact us for further information.  No application to fill in simply call the Fostering Service on 0191 433 8333 or email fostering@gateshead.gov.uk