Intensive Fostering Programme

Introduction

The Intensive Foster Care programme is an alternative to receiving a custodial sentence. It involves young people living with specially trained and supported foster carers for a period of up to twelve months as part of their Supervision Order.

Young person learning new skills During this time, the young person is expected to co-operate with the conditions of the Order and to comply with the targets set out in the young person's individual programme.

This programme helps young people to build on skills and knowledge they already have as well as helping them to develop new ones that will help them to avoid getting into further trouble.

Intensive foster care is not an easy option and young people may find it difficult at times. However, there is a team of people around to help and enable young people, on the programme, to talk about any issues they have a problem with.

Conditions for the Programme

There are conditions for the programme that young people must comply with. Young people, on the programme, are required to be in the care of one of our specialist foster carers, and to follow their individual house rules. The young person must keep their foster carers up to date on where they are at all times. In addition, foster carers may carry out searches of the young person's bags and rooms whilst they are not present.

As well as co-operating with their foster carers, young people are required to co-operate with the other members in the team, and to take part in all the activities that are set out by the programme. This includes therapy sessions and skills training. They are also required to be in an education or training programme, which will be set up for them by the programme team.

The programme requires that young people are not involved in any criminal activity and that they don't take illegal drugs.

Living Arrangements

Young people will be living with experienced foster carers, or possibly a single carer. Our foster carers are specially trained and supported. The young person will be the only person in placement with the family, and the foster carers have no children of their own. The young person will have their own room, but they will agree to house rules set out by the foster carers.

Intensive foster carers live in various locations across Staffordshire. Ordinarily, the young person will be placed outside of your local area.

Points and Level System

All intensive foster carers are trained in the 'points and level' system that is used in the programme. The young person will be rewarded for good behaviour and attitude via a points system. The more points they receive, the more privileges and rewards they will earn. Poor behaviour and attitude will mean that these rewards take longer for them to earn.

Placements begin on Level 1 and young people will be given the opportunity to quickly progress to levels 2 and 3.

Intensive Fostering Young Persons Handbook||| (189KB)