Everything you need to know about finance, payment, training and rewards at Lika

To qualify to move up to the next level, Lika carers must complete a range of mandatory training at their existing level.

For example, to qualify for Tier 1, carers must complete 12 days of training, including completing the Training, Support and Development Standards (the national minimum benchmark). Much of this training is already required by law. It includes everything from paediatric first aid to safeguarding to de-escalation skills to providing therapeutic responses to challenging behaviour.

Here’s a full list of the training required at each level:

Once the mandatory training is complete, foster carers can move up a tier.

Most of our training is now delivered online.

We often find that as a carer’s career progresses, they discover areas of interest they’re keen to specialise in. You may discover a real interest in safe care or trauma or coaching young people. We want our carers to find that area of specialism so that they really enjoy their foster care experience, and we’re keen to help our carers gain the skills they need to do that – and to match them to young people according to that field of interest and skill set.

In fact, if you want to do specialist training and qualifications, Lika will even pay a portion of your training costs (up to £1050). For example, these might be qualifications in:

• Life Coaching
• Certificate in Systemic Practice
• Therapeutic Parenting Diploma
• Or any relevant qualification requested by the foster carer that is relevant to the role.

If you’re joining Lika and you’ve got extensive experience working in social care or working with young people, we can start you at a higher tier rather than Tier 1. We’ll have a discussion with you about that during the recruitment process, so you know what to expect and so we’re all on the same page. You’ll just need to provide documentation to show the training you’ve completed and any qualifications you have.

If you’re transferring to Lika from another agency or from a Local Authority, your tier will be based on your level of experience. We’re also happy to have a discussion with you about what your remuneration package was previously and negotiate a similar finance package to what you’re used to, so that you’re not missing out.

Don’t forget! If you have at least one year’s fostering experiencing and you transfer to Lika, we’ll pay you a welcome bonus of £2000.

There are more finance and benefits to joining Lika than just the fantastic FREE training and being rewarded based on your skills and experience. You’ll also receive:

• • Free membership to the National Association of Therapeutic Parents, including full access to resources, listening circles, peer support, advocacy, and discounted training
  • Fostering Network membership, including discounts, free legal advice, and advocacy
  • A £400 set-up loan to help get your home ready for a young person to live with you
  • One extra day respite a year (earned by completing daily logs/attending all training and supervision, with 100% attendance)
  • Reward schemes and packages, including weekends away, treats, and meals
  • Invitations to annual Lika events designed to help foster carers and young people meet other carers and children, developing your relationships and support networks
  • Discounts for UK attractions, short break holidays, and a Costco membership
  • Expenses-paid travel to and from any in-person training, when the training location isn’t local to you
  • Refreshments and lunch at training, group meetings, and support groups
  • Reward vouchers for young people achieving 100% term-time attendance
  • Annual nurture camp placements for the agency’s young people
  • £2000 for referring a friend to foster with Lika!

At Lika, we understand the demanding and often selfless role that carers play in the lives of those they support. We believe that to provide the best care, carers themselves need to feel valued, rejuvenated, and appreciated. That’s why we have introduced a special initiative designed to give carers the opportunity to take some time for themselves and indulge in activities that bring them joy and relaxation.

All carers who go through the re-approval process at the Panel are eligible to receive up to £100. The reward can be used for a variety of activities that promote well-being and personal enjoyment. Some examples include, unwinding with a professional massage, enjoying a meal at a favourite restaurant or investing in personal fitness with a trainer who can help meet health and wellness goals.

At Lika Family Fostering, recognises the incredible dedication and hard work that foster carers put into nurturing and supporting children. To show our appreciation and provide a space for carers to relax, connect, and share their experiences, we are thrilled to introduce the Carers’ Supper Club!

The Carers’ Supper Club is an informal, yet meaningful space exclusively for Lika foster carers. It’s a supper club where carers can come together for an enjoyable dinner and a chance to catch up with fellow carers. This initiative offers a welcoming environment for carers to share their fostering journeys, exchange advice, and build a supportive community.

The Carers’ Supper Club is held every three months, providing regular opportunities for carers to connect and unwind. Each supper club meeting will take place at a location chosen by the group, ensuring convenience and variety in dining experiences. Lika Family Fostering offers a £30 contribution per person towards the meal as a token of our gratitude for the invaluable work our foster carers do.

Lika is a therapeutic fostering agency, rated Outstanding by Ofsted. Every decision we take is based on Systemic Family Therapy principles. That means relationships, openness and honesty are at the heart of everything we do. All Lika foster carers receive extensive training in Systemic Family Therapy principles and therapeutic parenting techniques.

It’s similar to the training a newly qualified social worker receives (although not quite as technical) — so you’ll be fully prepared for your first placement and be viewed as a professional foster carer in your own right.

Being a Lika foster carer means always receiving specialised and consistent support from our expert team of professionals.

Your support will include:

• 1 to 4 weekly supervisions with your supervising social worker to talk through and understand the needs of your young person
• 24/7 out-of-hours access to one of the Lika team, so you’re never unsupported if things feel difficult
• Access to Lika’s team of skilled and knowledgeable Systemic Psychotherapist Consultants and Systemic Social Work Practitioners, who are never stuck for ideas on how to support
• Virtual monthly foster carers support meeting, led and chaired by experienced foster carers
• Virtual fortnightly Therapeutic Family Consultations, facilitated by one of our psychotherapists and open to all our agency’s foster carers
• Membership to the National Association of Therapeutic Parents and The Fostering Network
• Life coaching for foster children, birth children and foster carers
• Our Mentor Support Scheme, which partners new foster carers with more experienced foster carers
• Free training for fostering support networks. (Your family and friends are welcome to join any of the training Lika offers.)
• Access to Lika’s support workers, depending on the level of need for the young person
• Access to Lika’s Educational Consultant, who can offer ideas and advocacy in supporting young people to achieve in education
• Help from Lika’s Systemic Social Work Practitioners/Therapists, who can undertake skilled direct work without waiting lists for the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS)
• 14 to 21 days of paid respite (depending on complexity) to recharge your batteries and have some space for self-care.

If you’re in south or east London and you’re interested in becoming a foster carer, give the helpful team at Lika a call on 020 3370 0987. We’re here to answer all your questions.

We’re currently in: Barking and Dagenham, Barnet, Brent, Bexley, Bromley, Camden, City of London, Croydon, Greenwich, Hackney, Hammersmith and Fulham, Ealing, Haringey, Islington, Kensington and Chelsea, Lambeth, Lewisham, Merton, Newham, Redbridge, Southwark, Sutton, Tower Hamlets, Wandsworth, Westminster, Enfield, Harrow, Havering, Hillingdon, Kingston upon Thames, Richmond upon Thames, Waltham Forest, Harrow and Essex.