top of page

Become a holiday foster carer for Bradford Council

We know our colleagues make a difference to so many people’s lives every day. We truly believe that many people who work for Bradford Council could have something even greater to offer local children in care as well. 

​

Did you know that you can become a foster carer whilst still working for the Council as a part-time holiday carer? As a Bradford Council employee, you already have many of the qualities and attributes we look for in our foster carers and we will be flexible as an employer to make sure you get the right support and training too.
 

"Fostering is the best job you can have, but it is so much more than a job"

- Kal and Ash, foster carers​​

What does a holiday foster carer do?

As a holiday foster carer, you will look after children and young people for short periods of up to 2 weeks, providing respite to the primary caregiver. 

 

This is why you’ll sometimes hear our holiday carers called respite carers - you’ll be providing essential respite and support to full-time foster carers in the Bradford district. 

 

As a Bradford Council employee, you already have many of the skills and qualities needed to foster a child.

 

Our shared values of community, positivity, engagement, responsibility and flexibility are what makes people working for Bradford Council great, and we’d love to help you become a holiday foster carer with us.  

Bradford Council is a Fostering Friendly Employer

If you work for Bradford Council, you will be pleased to know that we are a ‘Fostering Friendly Employer’, which means, as an employer, we understand and value the contribution foster carers make to the lives of looked after children and their local communities.

 

We are committed to supporting you and your family on your fostering journey with additional paid time off during the application process for training and placements. 

 

We understand you may prefer flexible working hours and require unexpected time off when you are looking after a child. As a foster carer, you will be entitled to exactly the same rights as any other parent so you can support your family.

How much time do I need to dedicate as a holiday foster carer?

Our holiday foster carers offer a range of part-time care according to their own availability and choice. Demand for respite placements is always higher during the school holidays and at weekends. 

 

When you begin your fostering journey, we will discuss your availability and your individual needs and make a decision that is right for you and your family.

Other fostering options

We also offer other part-time fostering options, which may be better suited to your current circumstances and drive to support children from our district. 

 

Learn more about these different types of fostering by downloading our information pack.

How much do holiday foster carers get paid?

Though money may not be your main focus when considering foster care, it is important to know how much you could earn as a holiday foster carer for Bradford Fostering.

 

Holiday foster carers are paid for each session they look after a child or young person.

 

Depending on the age of the child and your level of experience, you could earn up to £50.52 per day to look after a child in the Bradford district.

 

To learn more about our rates, please download our rates sheet.

Are there any special requirements to be a holiday foster carer?

Though part-time foster carers don’t look after a child full-time, you still need to meet all of the national fostering requirements.

 

This includes being aged over 21, having a spare bedroom and fluency in the English language. You can learn more about our fostering requirements here. 

 

If you would like to foster children who have complex health needs or disabilities who require part-time specialist care, you may have to have experience in this area.

 

If this is an area of fostering you are interested in, we are always looking for foster families who can provide specialist care as well.

Upcoming events

  • Drop in  session @ Wibsey Library 14th Dec
    Drop in  session @ Wibsey Library 14th Dec
    Sat, 14 Dec
    Wibsey Library
    14 Dec 2024, 10:00 – 12:00
    Wibsey Library, North Road, Bradford, BD6 1TR
    14 Dec 2024, 10:00 – 12:00
    Wibsey Library, North Road, Bradford, BD6 1TR
    Come and find out about why we need foster carers in Bradford. We’ll talk you through the fostering process, our different schemes, the support available to you and give you the opportunity to ask us questions.
  • Shipley library drop in & chat - 16th October
    Shipley library drop in & chat - 16th October
    Wed, 16 Oct
    Shipley Library
    16 Oct 2024, 16:30 – 19:00
    Shipley Library, 2 Well Croft, Shipley BD18 3QH, UK
    16 Oct 2024, 16:30 – 19:00
    Shipley Library, 2 Well Croft, Shipley BD18 3QH, UK
    Come and find out about why we need foster carers in Bradford. We’ll talk you through the fostering process, our different schemes, the support available to you and give you the opportunity to ask us questions.
  • Drop in  session @ Wibsey Library - 21st Sept
    Drop in  session @ Wibsey Library - 21st Sept
    Sat, 21 Sept
    Wibsey Library
    21 Sept 2024, 10:00 – 12:00
    Wibsey Library, North Road, Bradford, BD6 1TR
    21 Sept 2024, 10:00 – 12:00
    Wibsey Library, North Road, Bradford, BD6 1TR
    Come and find out about why we need foster carers in Bradford. We’ll talk you through the fostering process, our different schemes, the support available to you and give you the opportunity to ask us questions.
  • Shipley library drop in & chat - 17th July
    Shipley library drop in & chat - 17th July
    Wed, 17 Jul
    Shipley Library
    17 Jul 2024, 16:30 – 19:00
    Shipley Library, 2 Well Croft, Shipley BD18 3QH, UK
    17 Jul 2024, 16:30 – 19:00
    Shipley Library, 2 Well Croft, Shipley BD18 3QH, UK
    Come and find out about why we need foster carers in Bradford. We’ll talk you through the fostering process, our different schemes, the support available to you and give you the opportunity to ask us questions.
  • Drop in  session @ Wibsey Library 15th June
    Drop in  session @ Wibsey Library 15th June
    Sat, 15 Jun
    Wibsey Library
    15 Jun 2024, 10:00 – 12:00
    Wibsey Library, North Road, Bradford, BD6 1TR
    15 Jun 2024, 10:00 – 12:00
    Wibsey Library, North Road, Bradford, BD6 1TR
    Come and find out about why we need foster carers in Bradford. We’ll talk you through the fostering process, our different schemes, the support available to you and give you the opportunity to ask us questions.
  • online info event - 16th May
    online info event - 16th May
    Thu, 16 May
    Delivered online via Zoom
    16 May 2024, 19:00 – 20:10
    Delivered online via Zoom
    16 May 2024, 19:00 – 20:10
    Delivered online via Zoom
    Come and find out about why we need foster carers in Bradford. We’ll talk you through the fostering process, our different schemes, the support available to you and give you the opportunity to ask us questions.
  • Shipley library drop in & chat - 17th April
    Shipley library drop in & chat - 17th April
    Wed, 17 Apr
    Shipley Library
    17 Apr 2024, 16:30 – 19:00
    Shipley Library, 2 Well Croft, Shipley BD18 3QH, UK
    17 Apr 2024, 16:30 – 19:00
    Shipley Library, 2 Well Croft, Shipley BD18 3QH, UK
    Come and find out about why we need foster carers in Bradford. We’ll talk you through the fostering process, our different schemes, the support available to you and give you the opportunity to ask us questions.
  • Drop in  session @ Wibsey Library 16th March
    Drop in  session @ Wibsey Library 16th March
    Sat, 16 Mar
    Wibsey Library
    16 Mar 2024, 10:00 – 12:00
    Wibsey Library, North Road, Bradford, BD6 1TR
    16 Mar 2024, 10:00 – 12:00
    Wibsey Library, North Road, Bradford, BD6 1TR
    Come and find out about why we need foster carers in Bradford. We’ll talk you through the fostering process, our different schemes, the support available to you and give you the opportunity to ask us questions.
  • online info event - 21st Feb
    online info event - 21st Feb
    Wed, 21 Feb
    Delivered online via Zoom
    21 Feb 2024, 19:00 – 20:15
    Delivered online via Zoom
    21 Feb 2024, 19:00 – 20:15
    Delivered online via Zoom
    Come and find out about why we need foster carers in Bradford. We’ll talk you through the fostering process, our different schemes, the support available to you and give you the opportunity to ask us questions.
  • Shipley library drop in & chat - 17th January
    Shipley library drop in & chat - 17th January
    Wed, 17 Jan
    Shipley Library
    17 Jan 2024, 16:30 – 19:00
    Shipley Library, 2 Well Croft, Shipley BD18 3QH, UK
    17 Jan 2024, 16:30 – 19:00
    Shipley Library, 2 Well Croft, Shipley BD18 3QH, UK
    Come and find out about why we need foster carers in Bradford. We’ll talk you through the fostering process, our different schemes, the support available to you and give you the opportunity to ask us questions.
  • Bowling Park Lodge Cafe drop in - 18th Nov
    Bowling Park Lodge Cafe drop in - 18th Nov
    Sat, 18 Nov
    Bradford
    18 Nov 2023, 09:30 – 11:00
    Bradford, 263 Bowling Hall Rd, Bradford BD5 8RA, UK
    18 Nov 2023, 09:30 – 11:00
    Bradford, 263 Bowling Hall Rd, Bradford BD5 8RA, UK
    Come and find out about why we need foster carers in Bradford. We’ll talk you through the fostering process, our different schemes, the support available to you and give you the opportunity to ask us questions.
  • Shipley library drop in & chat - 12th October 2023
    Shipley library drop in & chat - 12th October 2023
    Thu, 12 Oct
    Shipley Library
    12 Oct 2023, 16:30 – 19:00
    Shipley Library, 2 Well Croft, Shipley BD18 3QH, UK
    12 Oct 2023, 16:30 – 19:00
    Shipley Library, 2 Well Croft, Shipley BD18 3QH, UK
    Come and find out about why we need foster carers in Bradford. We’ll talk you through the fostering process, our different schemes, the support available to you and give you the opportunity to ask us questions.
  • Online information event - 27th Sept
    Online information event - 27th Sept
    Wed, 27 Sept
    Zoom
    27 Sept 2023, 19:00 – 20:30
    Zoom
    27 Sept 2023, 19:00 – 20:30
    Zoom
    Come and find out about why we need foster carers in Bradford. We’ll talk you through the fostering process, our different schemes, the support available to you and give you the opportunity to ask us questions.
  • Keighley & District Agricultural Show, Sat 2nd Sept
    Keighley & District Agricultural Show, Sat 2nd Sept
    Sat, 02 Sept
    Marley Fields
    02 Sept 2023, 08:00 – 16:00
    Marley Fields, Aireworth Rd, Keighley BD21, UK
    02 Sept 2023, 08:00 – 16:00
    Marley Fields, Aireworth Rd, Keighley BD21, UK
    Come and find us in our Foster for Bradford tent to say hi at this fun day out at Keighley & District Agricultural Show.
  • Bowling Park Lodge Cafe drop in - 19th Aug
    Bowling Park Lodge Cafe drop in - 19th Aug
    Sat, 19 Aug
    Bowling Park Lodge Cafe
    19 Aug 2023, 09:30 – 12:00
    Bowling Park Lodge Cafe, 263 Bowling Hall Rd, Bradford BD5 8RA, UK
    19 Aug 2023, 09:30 – 12:00
    Bowling Park Lodge Cafe, 263 Bowling Hall Rd, Bradford BD5 8RA, UK
    Come and find out about why we need foster carers in Bradford. We’ll talk you through the fostering process, our different schemes, the support available to you and give you the opportunity to ask us questions.
  • Keighley Pride
    Keighley Pride
    Sat, 12 Aug
    Cougar Park
    12 Aug 2023, 13:00 – 17:00
    Cougar Park, Royd Ings Ave, Keighley BD21, UK
    12 Aug 2023, 13:00 – 17:00
    Cougar Park, Royd Ings Ave, Keighley BD21, UK
    Come and join in the fun at Keighley Pride and find us for a chat about fostering.
  • Shipley Library Drop In Event - 13th July 2023
    Shipley Library Drop In Event - 13th July 2023
    Thu, 13 Jul
    Shipley Library
    13 Jul 2023, 16:30 – 19:00
    Shipley Library, 2 Well Croft, Shipley BD18 3QH, UK
    13 Jul 2023, 16:30 – 19:00
    Shipley Library, 2 Well Croft, Shipley BD18 3QH, UK
    Come and find out about why we need foster carers in Bradford. We’ll talk you through the fostering process, our different schemes, the support available to you and give you the opportunity to ask us questions.
  • Wilsden Gala - Sun 2nd July
    Wilsden Gala - Sun 2nd July
    Sun, 02 Jul
    Wilsden Cricket Club
    02 Jul 2023, 11:00 – 16:30
    Wilsden Cricket Club, Wilsden, Bradford BD15 0LA, UK
    02 Jul 2023, 11:00 – 16:30
    Wilsden Cricket Club, Wilsden, Bradford BD15 0LA, UK
    Drop in for a chat with the team at this fun day out in Wilsden

Fostering stories

bottom of page