Five Rivers family placement. Five Rivers have a dedicated team of staff and foster carers who have helped turn around the lives of countless children and young people
In this site, you'll learn how and why people just like you successfully
foster children every daya
If you and your family members are of the opinion that helping others is a richly rewarding experience, then the chances are that you would be an ideal candidate for helping youngsters who have thus far had a less than idyllic childhood. Here at Five Rivers we specialise in the care of youngsters of all ages and if you’re of a truly caring and compassionate nature perhaps fostering a child is something which, as a family unit, you should consider. Sad as it may be, it’s a fact that there are an increasing number of youngsters who, for one reason or another, are in need of a safe and secure environment in which to live and believe us when we say that it’s not only those in need of professional childcare who benefit from the experience. For those of a certain disposition foster caring can be a richly rewarding experience and as an organisation we strive to make sure the whole process is enjoyable and productive for all concerned parties. All those involved in taking in youngsters are aware that things aren’t always going to be plain sailing, but as a professional organisation, with a reputation for offering the ultimate childcare services, we offer all of our trusted colleagues the benefit of our extensive knowledge and a sympathetic ear is always available. Make no mistake, having a troubled teenager in the home can be an immense challenge for all concerned, but it’s something you won’t regret for one second.
We’re well aware of the fact that the decision to join us is something that’s going to take a great deal of thought, after all should you decide to take youngsters into your home and ensure their wellbeing, the impact on your current lifestyle will be immense. Fostering UK comes under the auspices of the relevant local authorities and in turn they work closely with trusted organisations, like ourselves, to ensure that vulnerable youngsters are placed with families who can have a positive impact on their lives’. Having a big heart and the ability to deal with the most vexing of situations are both important criterions, for those who are contemplating taking youngsters of all ages into their homes. Add these valuable attributes to our continual programme of training and the chances are that you’ve got the makings of being a valued member of our well thought of team. Foster care associates are much valued members of society and whilst it’s fair to say that much of their fantastic work goes unnoticed, it’s a given that the recipients of their love and attention will never forget how things changed for the better once they were ensconced in a loving and safe environment. Taking those first tentative steps towards looking after youngsters will always be the most difficult, but as you’ll soon learn from your more experienced colleagues, it’s almost certainly one of the best decisions you’re ever likely to make in your life. You really can make a difference!
Having a loving and caring home environment to grow up in is something which most of us take for granted, but for many of Britain’s youngsters a loving and stable home is something which they’ve sadly never experienced. Of course when you’re going to be in close proximity with vulnerable youngsters on a daily basis you need more than a loving nature to be a successful stand in parent and mentor. With this in mind we’ve created a residential training course which will equip those who are new to us will all the necessary skills to deal with most eventualities. Being amongst the most highly regarded of foster care agencies, our training programmes are all encompassing and your training will continue long after you’ve opened your door to a suitable youngster. Our much vaunted support groups, where all our team can trade information and talk through scenarios, are without a doubt an invaluable resource and can only be seen in a positive light. With our extensive training programmes and your natural gifts for attending to the needs of the more vulnerable members of society, the youngsters in question can only flourish and this of course is the most rewarding part of the whole experience. We’re well aware of the fact that it’s often difficult for families and individuals to channel their particular skills and energies, but with our help we’re confident we can make you into an invaluable member of our team, who’ll be much loved by many a youngster.
Without a stable and safe upbringing youngsters of all ages face an uphill struggle to succeed in life and this is why your skills are vital to both ourselves and to the ever growing number of vulnerable youngsters throughout the United Kingdom. Fostering is something of a ‘calling’ which many feel drawn towards and it’s fair to say that those who feel the ‘pull’ towards becoming part of our team invariably make excellent carers. Adaptability is a skill which all carers need, especially when you consider that you could be asked to provide a safe environment for the smallest of youngsters up to those who are nearing eighteen years of age. On occasion the authorities ask us to keep family groups together, after all having siblings nearby is the only stability which many youngsters have experienced, therefore we’re always looking for those who have the ability to house multiple family members. Foster children come with an array of different needs and as well as coming from different religions and cultures, many also have specific educational needs. Home tutoring is often needed, so as you can no doubt imagine, the best of candidates need the ability to take on multiple roles! And as far as education goes, for those youngsters with specific educational needs, we are able to offer the option of our excellent Five Rivers School in the beautiful surroundings of Salisbury. Between us we’re confident we can create a brighter future for even the most vulnerable of youngsters.
People join us for a plethora of different reasons, but the overriding desire to make a difference to someone’s life is often a primary reason. Without your invaluable help many of these youngsters will simply flounder and their chances of leading a fruitful and enjoyable life will be greatly reduced. The days of housing youngsters and teenagers in wholly unsuitable environments have long gone and nowadays social services and private fostering organisations go to great lengths to ensure the environment, for each and every young person who is in need of help, is appropriate and of the very highest standard. Here at Five Rivers we’re well aware of the skill and dedication it takes to be a successful mentor and this is more than apparent in the way in which each and every member of our valuable team is remunerated. Naturally we understand that no one enters this most demanding, yet rewarding, of professions for financial gain, but we feel it’s important to show just how much we appreciate the time and effort you put into your endeavours! No one enters foster caring on a whim and for those who work alongside ourselves, the rewards are immense. Youngsters who are placed under your guardianship will undoubtedly bring with them a whole list of issues and having the ability to deal with behavioural problems and the like will be one of your greatest challenges. But with patience even youngsters with a long list of issues and problems can shine.
For anyone who is interested in being a full time guardian, we feel we are the perfect vehicle to assist you in your endeavours. Not only will we give you excellent training and first hand support when you join us, but we’ll continue to help you develop your skills well into the future. Thousands of youngsters are at risk each year and whether they’ve been abused or abandoned, it’s fair to say that your home will provide a safe haven for them. Rest assured we will only place people in your protection where we feel both parties have the ability to form some kind of bond and using your skills it shouldn’t be too difficult to give foster children the confidence they need to start living a ‘normal’ life once again. Applying for a position with ourselves couldn’t be easier, simply fill out the online questionnaire and we’ll do the rest. Of course anyone who intends to be a member of our team will undergo extensive screening prior to being accepted, just another part of the process which makes us an organisation of some repute! We believe in the philosophy of ‘Professional childcare from a home base’ and we’re convinced that this is part of what makes our organisation so successful. We need dedicated members of the public to come and join us and more importantly, youngsters up and down the country are waiting for you to provide the love and stability needed to help them to enjoy their childhood.