It was October 2024 when I made calls and had Teams meetings with various colleagues and management across various fostering services to declare my intention to submit an application to Ofsted to register EPIC Fostering.

​I was rather nervous, mostly because human nature is to jump to conclusions that I must up to something for pure personal benefit, though in actual fact, EPIC Fostering has never and isn’t intended to be all guns out competition to those services who already offer so much to their fostering families. It is about offering an alternative to those people that feel they have been beaten by broken and unnecessary systems, structures, senior leadership teams, or are simply ready for a change to reignite that passion for doing something extraordinary for children who are in the unfortunate position of being in care.

EPIC Fostering is proud to part of The EPIC Family CIC, in a nutshell this means we’re not-for-proft, and drive for an empathic and collaborative working approach.

I wanted to create a fostering service whereby it’s most senior leader truly knows what it is like to foster in the here and now. I can truly say that I live it day in and day out, as we currently at the time of writing are fostering two siblings, as well as being the legal dads on a Special Guardianship Order to our dearest ‘nearly’ 5 year old and her 10 year old brother. I continue to be part of some fabulous Fostering Panels across the country for a Local Authority and some other Agencies for which I am a very active Vice Chair. I see amazing practice, and feel privileged to meet some of the most amazing people in my work.

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I’m now well over a year in. I registered The EPIC Family CIC in June 2024 after working several months on the idea and concept of the organisation. It originally started with an idea a few short years ago where I was keen to develop a mentoring & advocacy service for children & young people. As per my previous work history, my ideas tend to grow into enormous projects!

So the last year has mainly been about developing an Independent Fostering Service (EPIC Fostering) as part of the vision. This has taken a huge amount of investment in respect of effort, drive, financial commitment, time… the list goes on! When I set up and started growing my previous businesses, it would be fair to say I didn't particularly try very hard. I often reflect on what it could have been if I’d actually wanted to grow a £10m+ business! This time, there’s a lot at stake, because I am hungry for it to work, I’m driven to make a difference to vulnerable children and young people, and that means looking at the bigger picture and how my organisation can support all those involved; we have to support EVERYONE, for the children to have the best possible chance at better outcomes. That drive makes it feel more stressful!

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The Power of Relationships: The Heart of Foster Care

Every May, Foster Care Fortnight shines a spotlight on the incredible work of foster parents across the UK. Organised by The Fostering Network, this annual campaign is more than just a celebration, it's a call to action, a moment to reflect, and a chance to amplify the voices of those who make fostering possible. At the heart of this year’s message, as in every year, lies one simple truth: relationships matter.

Why Relationships Are Everything
In everyday life, relationships shape who we are. Whether it's the colleague who checks in on us during a tough week, the friend who listens without judgment, or the neighbour who offers a helping hand, these connections form the fabric of our emotional wellbeing. Each of us have many different types of relationship within our own lives depending on our role at that time. For example our relationships as a parent/sibling/ aunt/son etc, will be different to our relationships as a work colleague/boss/employee etc. We ‘wear many different hats’ in our day to day lives, and as we ‘switch hats’ we switch how we approach our relationships.

For children in foster care, relationships are not just important—they are transformational. Many children enter care having experienced trauma, instability, or loss. In these moments, what they need most isn’t perfection—it’s connection. A consistent, caring adult who shows up, listens, and stays. That’s where foster parents come in. Foster parents need to balance this, with the professional relationships that come with the role, and being the strong advocate for the child.

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​As part of our intention to register EPIC Fostering as a South West based Independent Fostering Service, we are currently recruiting for a Full Time Service Support Officer to support the administrative function of the organisation..

The role of the Service Support Officer (SSO) is to provide a comprehensive administrative support to colleagues within The EPIC Family CIC. The SSO will support the Directors, and Managers to establish and maintain accurate and up to date data. The SSO will work closely with the CEO and COO to ensure that the most effective procedures and processes are in place across our services.

Experience in a service support role is advantageous as is experience of developing new services. Applicants must be exceptionally IT literate with strong knowledge of Microsoft Office, along with significant confidence and abilities in the use of recording/database software. 

Salary from £23810 ​

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The EPIC Family Community Interest Company is looking to appoint a voluntary Independent Advisory Board to advise and make recommendations to the Board of Directors and in particular to be a sounding board to the Board of Directors Chair & CEO.

The advice given is to ensure that the Community Interest Company plans and delivers on its vision, mission, and values. The Advisory Board is required to give advice and recommendations helping steer the organisation.

The Advisory Board (AB), should comprise a range of members with varied skills in Social Care, Strategic Planning, Finance, Business, and Childrens Services such as Education, Child Healthcare, and other roles as deemed appropriate such as being involved at a senior level/trustee level of charities and/or other community interest organisation(s).

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