Foster carer Jillian is an invaluable member of our fostering family who transferred to
Rotherham from an IFA (Independent Fostering Agency. We spoke to Jillian to find out
more about her transfer experience.
Discomfort with previous fostering provider
Jillian was feeling unheard by her former fostering provider. She also felt disconnected
from the provider’s ethos: “After years with the IFA, I started to feel uncomfortable about how it was profit led, there was an over emphasis on admin rather than being child
focussed. In Rotherham, I feel like we are all on the same page, working together towards the same child focussed ethos… I feel part of the discussions and decision making about the child in my care.”
Jillian has been able to work collaboratively with Rotherham to find the best fostering to work for her and her family. “Rotherham have put in place second home care and it is
working well. This gave me confidence that Rotherham were going to look after me.”
“I feel like there is a strong sense of community in Rotherham.”
Jillian found the transfer process to be very smooth, and that everyone at Rotherham was“very professional and approachable”, this put her “at ease straight away”. Jillian also feltthat Rotherham “were friendly, fair, open and transparent during the transfer process. I
could trust what I was being told which gave me more confidence in my decision to
transfer... there have been no shocks or surprises.”
Jillian told us that “everything that I was offered during the recruitment/transition stage has been put in place - I am really happy about this. I have no minute of regret transferring to Rotherham."
Support for your fostering family
Although not a key reason to transfer, Jillian told us that Rotherham’s “financial package
is very competitive… I also like that Rotherham gives additional payments for the child.”
At Rotherham we are proud to offer our foster carers additional payments of up to
£1,702 to cover costs like birthdays, religious, cultural holidays, clothing, equipment and
school uniform.
Jillian would recommend transferring because “Rotherham cares about me as a foster
carer. I feel valued and listened to”. Jillian feels supported and respected and believes that“the offer of second home care is a big selling point as in IFAs this can be a reason why
placements reach crisis and break down.”