PACE bed foster care

A Police and Criminal Evidence (PACE) bed foster carer provides a safe, welcoming environment and a warm bed for a child or young person at the request of the police. This could be due to circumstances in the child or young person's home, or due to criminal activity. This is offered under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984. 

As a PACE carer, you will need to provide care until the morning of the next working day. This could be for a single night or for a few nights over a weekend or Bank Holiday. 

PACE foster carers work on a rota system.  

You will join a community of PACE foster carers, which means that you will get tailored support from foster carers who offer this type of foster care, individualised training, plus advice and supervision from specialist Supervising Social workers. In addition, you will have access to your individual PACE bed buddy and to specialist foster carers network groups, as well support from the 24/7 on call service. 

You will not be asked to provide a PACE bed for a child or young person if they have been assessed as posing a risk to the public under the PACE Act. 

Fees for PACE bed foster care 

As a PACE bed foster carer you will get a £250 retainer for each week you are on call or pro rata per night This is paid on the understanding that you will immediately accept a PACE bed placement if one is needed while you are on call. 

If we call on you to provide a PACE bed placement, you will get an additional enhanced placement fee and the child's basic living allowance. This will be paid pro rata according to the length of the placement. 

You will be provided with essential information about the young person who is in need of your care overnight.