We’ve had some news recently at CFC that we are so excited to share with you all! After our most recent assessment from Ofsted, we’re proud to announce that Community Foster Care has been officially confirmed as OUTSTANDING provider of support for our carers and young people (read the full report here)! 

We’re unbelievably filled with not only pride, but also appreciation as we look back on the journey we’ve been on as an organisation to get to such a momentous point. 

It has us reflecting on our early days as an agency. When Community Foster Care was set up back in 1999, our founders had a simple mission statement: do fostering differently. 

It was a simple idea, but not necessarily an easy one to bring to life, but what worthwhile mission is ever easy?  In 1999, our social workers immersed themselves in the local communities and challenged prevalent ideas about who could foster. The aim was to support communities, provide local foster families for local children, working in areas of economic deprivation providing employment and improving skills.

And we are still operating in this way over two decades later!

Click here to read the full article.

We have a fantastic opportunity to join our team and a growing fostering service in the Eastern Region where you will be able to contribute to achieving positive results for young people.  

The role is responsible for the successful recruitment of new St. Christopher’s foster carers, proactively building excellent relationships with potential fostering applicants & guiding them through the assessment & approval process.

The role will proactively lead on the recruitment strategy for a given region but the postholder may have to work across other regions as required by workflows. The postholder will deliver an increased number of fostering households through a targeted approach, enabling the recruitment and assessment of foster carers who can meet the needs of St. Christopher’s looked after children.

Click here for full job details

Join Barnardo's Scotland Fostering North as a Supervising Social Worker

Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of children and young people? Barnardo's Scotland Fostering North is looking for a dedicated Qualified Supervising Social Worker to join our dynamic and supportive team.

Location: Hybrid, with travel mainly across Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and some in Moray and Highland. Wider travel across Scotland may be required for meetings and training. Our team meets both online and in-person at our Aberdeen office. 

About the Role
You'll be part of a multidisciplinary team including social workers, children's workers, therapists, managers, and administrative staff. Together, we recruit, supervise and support foster carers who provide safe, nurturing homes for looked after children and young people referred by Local Authorities.

What We're Looking For
We're seeking a qualified social worker with experience and enthusiasm in Children's Services/Fostering. You'll bring strong interpersonal skills, a commitment to trauma-informed practice, and the ability to work collaboratively across regions.

Click here for full job details 

Last month, Portsmouth’s iconic Spinnaker Tower was lit-up blue in a powerful display of solidarity with young people leaving the care system, as part of National Care Leavers Month.

The illumination, organised by Fair Ways, took place at 5:15 PM and marks Portsmouth’s contribution to a growing national movement celebrating and supporting care-experienced young people.

National Care Leavers Month is a dedicated time to recognise the resilience, achievements, and aspirations of individuals transitioning out of care, while highlighting the unique challenges they continue to face during adulthood. The campaign calls on communities, organisations, and public figures to champion care leavers and demonstrate that they are valued, supported, and never alone.

A small group of local care leavers joined the evening as the tower lit up, symbolising hope, visibility, and community pride. The evening started with Spinnaker Tower being illuminated blue, followed by a tour of the landmark and dinner.

Click here to read the full article.

Location: Cheadle

Salary: £150 per Meeting
   
Contract Type: Self Employed

Closing Date: 23 December 2025

Have you ever wanted to make a difference to the lives of vulnerable Children and Young People?  The Together Trust Fostering Agency Supports foster families across the Northwest of England providing a caring stable home to children and young people who can’t live with their own family.

We have vacancies for 2 Vice Chairpersons of the Independent Fostering Panel. You will meet with the Chair of the panel and other panel members on a 4 to 6 weekly basis, and you will help make informed recommendations to the Agency Decision Maker on the suitability of new foster carers who wish to work with the Together Trust.

The Together Trust is one of the North West’s leading charities, offering individual care, support, and education to hundreds of children, young people, and adults each year. We are a not-for-profit charitable trust, so every penny goes back into benefiting the people that we support.

The Together Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the people that we support and expects all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

This role is an independent role sessional, and the relationship that you will have with the Together Trust will be as one of an independent sessional worker.

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Most people know very little about what it’s like to grow up in care. We spoke to 24-year-old Sara, a care leaver from Lincolnshire, about her experience and what she wants people to understand about life for children and young people in or leaving care.

How has being in care shaped who you are today?
“Even at school, when we were learning about family types, they talked about stepfamilies and adoption, but it was never covered that people could be fostered. My friends never really understood why I called my foster mum by her first name. And then it always led to awkward conversations and thinking how much can I disclose without weirding them off too much?

“But I wouldn't be me without being in care. I frankly don't think I would talk which is crazy because that’s the main thing I do now!  - I definitely don't think I'd talk at events in Parliament, like I do now. I feel like I now know who I am without my siblings and my family name."

What was your experience of going into care?
“I was about eight when we first went into care, but it was interesting when I got my care records because they predate my existence. So, it turns out social services were involved before I was alive. Which is crazy because it's like, how come my records start before I did?

Click here to read the full article.

A great opportunity is available for the role of a Team Manager in a small, not for profit fostering agency.

New Routes is a longstanding small fostering service based in Coleshill, Warwickshire with good road links to Birmingham, Coventry, Solihull, Nuneaton, Bedworth and Tamworth.

As a service we are looking to expand into new geographical areas.

All posts are subject to Enhanced DBS checks, Employment References and Medical Clearance and also subject to a probation period.  Occasional evening and weekend work is required.

In return we offer full induction, regular supervision and ongoing training.

Click here for full job details

With Christmas around the corner, we’re excited to share our short festive film, 'Santaland', featuring our newly announced celebrity ambassador, Anna Maxwell Martin.

Best known for her roles in Motherland (the film's title inspiration), Line of Duty and Ludwig, Anna is also a passionate advocate for children and young people, often campaigning for better outcomes and change.

The story behind Santaland
In the film, Anna plays a busy Christmas elf working at Santa's grotto. At the end of her shift, she's approached by a curious little girl named Lily.

Lily tells the Christmas elf that she has some important questions for Santa - like does he go on holiday? Does he like toast?

What begins as a heart-warming exchange of questions turns into a devastating blow when the elf begins to understand the reality of Lily's situation.

Click here to read the full article

In November, our campaigns team attended an inspiring parliamentary event hosted by Barnardo’s and chaired by Darren Puffy MP. The event placed young people with care experience at the heart of the conversation, giving them the platform to share their stories and shape the debate on what needs to change in the care system. 

Jake and Tia, two incredible young people, spoke candidly about their experiences in care and as care leavers. They highlighted the lack of practical and mental health support, unresolved trauma, negative experiences in supported accommodation, and the absence of lasting relationships. Their testimonies revealed the harsh realities of facing homelessness, eviction, and the challenges of navigating the benefits system – such as struggling to pay council tax when starting work. 

The panel also featured key figures shaping policy for children and families: 

• Josh MacAlister, Minister for Children and Families 
• Helen Hayes MP, Chair of the Education Select Committee 
• Cllr Mark Roberts, Leader of Stockport Council 

The discussion underscored a shared commitment: law and policy must reflect what care leavers are telling us they need – secure housing, mental health support, and lifelong relationships. 

Click here to read the full article

Location: Homebased with travel required around East Midlands regions (Derbyshire, Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire & Peterborough)

This role will report directly to the Operational Director of Children’s Services and is non-case holding role, however, there may be the need to occasionally cover casework due to staff sickness or leave.

In this role you will be responsible for the smooth running of a staff team of Deputy Area Managers, Social Workers, Family Finders, Recruitment Managers & Officers, Consultants, Panel Members, Administration Team and Children’s and Young People’s Resource Workers. 

The main role requirements for the Fostering Registered Area Manager role includes:

• A Level 5 Management Qualification (or a willingness to enrol on such a course within 6 months of appointment and to complete within 3 years)
• A minimum of 3 – 5 years post qualifying experience in fostering or in other childcare settings
• A proven track record in working with and on behalf of children, respecting and maintaining their individuality and promoting their positive development
• Experience of managing a diverse and experienced team, ideally remotely
• Experience of group work and/or delivery of training
• Up to date knowledge of relevant legislation including the Fostering National Minimum Standards and Fostering regulations
• Ability to prioritise, plan and self-organise efficiently
• Excellent communication skills and ability to use IT effectively, including participating in virtual meetings and webinars.
• Ensuring regulatory compliance including service monitoring
• Responsible for the safeguarding of children and young people
• Taking part in the out-of-hours rota.
• Delivery of the Service Operational Plan which will include the management of budget and contracts
• Being a Panel Advisor

​Click here for full job details