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.

Click here to read a foster parent's story

​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 ​

Click here for full job details

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).

Click here to find out more