Foster Carer - SEN Worker​/Officer Sanctuary Personal

Become a Step Forward Foster Carer – A Life-Changing Opportunity for SEN Workers & SEN Officers Foster with TACT Fostering and Bury Council

Please note:

This role requires you to be self-Employed

Are you a SEN Worker or SEN Officer who supports children with additional needs through empathy, structure, and unwavering commitment? You already have the understanding, patience, and resilience needed to make a life-changing difference in a young person’s life.

We’re looking for dedicated, emotionally aware individuals like you to become Step Forward Foster Carers — offering a safe, supportive home to a young person transitioning out of residential care. This is your opportunity to take your knowledge of special educational needs beyond the school or service setting and into a family environment where your care and consistency can transform a life.

Step Forward Fostering is a pioneering project that supports young people who have experienced trauma, loss, and instability, helping them move from residential care into a nurturing, family-based home.

These young people don’t just need a place to stay — they need someone like you: someone who understands SEN, communicates calmly, and can provide the emotional safety and predictability they’ve never had.

As a Step Forward Foster Carer, you’ll be supported by a professional team every step of the way.
You’ll never be alone on this journey.

We understand the level of commitment needed to care for a young person with complex needs. That’s why we provide specialist training and full emotional and financial support.

• Your own Senior Practitioner offering regular guidance and supervision
• A Family Wellbeing Worker to support both you and your foster child
• A Hub Carer providing up to 28 days of planned short breaks per year
• Peer support through a network of other Step Forward Carers
• Ongoing training in trauma-informed care and neurodevelopmental understanding
• Therapeutic and psychological support

We offer a generous financial package so you can focus fully on building a safe and structured home.

• £1,052 per week while a child is placed with you (around £54,704 per year)
• £408 per week retainer between placements (up to £21,216 annually)
• Extra allowances for birthdays, holidays, and cultural celebrations
• Tax exemptions specifically designed for foster carers

We are looking for SEN Workers and Officers who are:

• Passionate about supporting children with additional or complex needs
• Experienced in managing behaviour, communication, and emotional regulation
• Calm, patient, and resilient under pressure
• Ready to bring their SEN expertise into a home-based environment

• Full-time availability and a spare bedroom
• A willingness to complete our professional training
• The right to work in the UK

Take the next step in your career and become a Step Forward Foster Carer. Your experience as a SEN Worker/Officer could be the foundation for a truly life-changing role.