West Midlands Fostering
The office in Birmingham was established in 2003 and has grown consistently year after year. The profile of TACT has been raised and we now work with all of the local authorities in the West Midlands. We have provider contracts with Birmingham, Sandwell, Dudley, Walsall, Wolverhapmton, Staffordshire, Telford & Wrekin, Coventry, Solihull, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, and Stroke-on-Trent. We have been successful in achieving high positions on all contracts with Local Authorities, ensuring that we have high referral numbers of children needing placements. We have foster carers in all areas across these Local Authorities. The office is in West Bromwich; in close proximity to Junction 1 of the M5; offering good access to all ares. It is also well serviced by bus, rail and metro transport.
We are an enthusiastic and committed team whose purpose is to support the foster carers to the best of our ability through the process of enquiry, recruitment, approval and placement of children. The staff team is very stable with high retention rates which provides stability for the foster carers. There are regular support groups for foster carers and children of the foster carers who we consider to have a significant part to play in fostering. Our children's Resourse Worker arranges activities and events for all children. We have facilities available for contact with birth families. We also have a training suite and board room for hire.
The team actively recruit from a range of communities in order to successfully match children with suitable carers. There is a comprehensive training programme for carers; including core courses, intermediate and advanced. A number of carers already have the NVQ 3 qualification and we will continue to support those carers wishing to undertake the new diploma in social care and health. The use of self and eLearning is also encouraged. Carers are well supported with regular supervision and a 24hour helpline.
We currently support over 50 foster carers househoulds with 67 children in placement. Both carers and children are from diverse ethnic backgrounds. We have a foster carer representative who is available to offer advice and support to all carers.
Contact details
TACT Fostering - West Midlands, Mary Spooner House, 172 Birmingham Road, West Bromwich, West Midlands, B70 6QG - Tel 0121 580 2555 - Fax 0121 525 7135 - Email: westmidlands@tactcare.org.uk