Council launches campaign to recruit short break foster carers

Cheshire East Council has launched a new campaign to recruit short break foster carers, who provide support to children with disabilities and/or additional needs by offering them regular short-term care.

Short break placements are scheduled regularly throughout the year and typically last no more than a few days at a time. Each child is matched with the same carer for every stay, helping to build consistent and trusting relationships while providing families with essential respite.

This rewarding role offers a generous weekly salary of £589 a week, plus the designated age-related allowance for the child.

Further benefits of the role include dedicated support from a supervising social worker, access to peer support groups and fostering community events, as well as ongoing training and development opportunities.

Given the nature of the role, it is particularly suited to individuals with experience caring for people with complex needs, including those with neurodiversity and physical disabilities.

We also welcome applications from those who have a genuine interest in supporting children and young people with additional needs and can offer a safe, nurturing home environment. Flexibility is essential, as the role requires providing regular short break care throughout the year.

As part of the campaign, Cheshire East short break foster carers Sara and Chris shared their experiences in a promotional video where they reflected on cherished moments from their fostering journey. They shared why they remain committed to providing respite care, helping to give families across the borough a much‑needed break. 

Sara said:

“Alongside vital support, we provide the children in our care with fun – it’s like they’re coming to see the grandparents really! You create a strong relationship with the child, and these are such fun kids, they each have specific personalities and they are incredibly individual.

“The support and the training we’ve been offered is phenomenal, so we’d urge anyone to go for it become a short break foster carer. We’ve never looked back”.

Councillor Laura Crane, chair of Cheshire East’s children and families committee, said:

“This vital form of fostering offers crucial respite to families who need that bit of time out – and we’re urgently looking for more short break foster carers in the borough.

“With in-depth training, ongoing support and a close-knit and friendly fostering community around you, this is one role which you’ll be guided through to help increase your confidence and to enable you to grow into the role.

“Alongside a generous salary for the position we also offer leisure passes and discounts for our fostering families, and our £500 referral scheme. So whether you are looking to become a short break foster carer or want to discuss our many other types of fostering, please do get in touch.”

Anyone interested in becoming a short break foster carer can enquire through our short breaks page, or can also discover more about the many other types of fostering available here: 

Foster4 webpage