We are looking for a Social Worker to support the growth and development of our Registered Family Centre in Southampton. The Family Centre is made up of 5 self-contained flats each with their own bathroom and kitchen facilities and a separate bungalow which can accommodate an additional 2 families. Families will be referred to the Family Centre if there have been concerns identified around the safety of the children within their existing family unit. Once with us, the families will be continuously encouraged, assessed and guided through a 12 week stay where they are monitored 24/7 to encourage sustainable positive parenting changes. 

As a Social Worker with Fair Ways you will deliver the highest standards of care and support to our children, families and vulnerable adults through:

• Assessing and Observing - To take a lead role in parenting assessments through formal and informal observations of the residents with their child ensuring a high-quality service is delivered and maintained.
• Keeping Children, families and vulnerable adults Safe - Managing any presenting safeguarding issues in accordance with Fair Ways Policies and Procedures to keep children, families and vulnerable adults safe from harm for the duration of their assessment.
• Supervision and training - To line manage a small number of direct reports offering reflective supervisions, guidance and undertaking monitoring of any required training and development in line with our professional development and progression plans.
• Being a clear and confident communicator - To attend and contribute to multi-agency meetings, court hearings and other forums to represent the Residential Family Centre and support the Assessors.
• Building strong professional relationships - To proactively maintain safe supervision levels and respectful relationships with parents and children through effective support, guidance and care ensuring the maintenance of safe practice.
• Accurate and detailed report writing - To maintain full oversight of the assessment process for families for the full 12 weeks, writing the parenting assessment reports for courts. Maintaining effective, regular communication with outside agencies regarding parenting capacity.
• Being a Trauma Informed professional - To oversee and model trauma informed responses through the individualised use of therapeutic and (in some services) physical intervention to ensure families are supported appropriately during times of crisis and to demonstrate an understanding of the parents’ early life experiences.
• Supporting and developing new initiatives - To support the management team to develop the community-based assessment and outreach packages for family transitions into the community.
• Committing to your personal and professional development - To manage personal and continuous professional development through self-assessment, supervision and training.

Click here for full details 

​Hear from Simon & Charlie about their experience of fostering with The CFT.
We recently spoke with Simon and Charlie about their experience of fostering at The CFT. As a couple, Simon and Charlie have been foster carers with The CFT for around 2 years, and we got the chance to hear about their experiences so far at one of our recent foster carer support meetings in the East Midlands.

Simon and Charlie currently care for twins, one with additional needs. The time and care they provide for the children is exemplary, alongside their dedication to managing birth-family contact which can sometimes be a challenge. Simon is a full-time carer and whilst Charlie works full-time, they very much parent together and work as a team.

Hear what they have to say here!

We recently spoke with Diane about her experience of fostering at The CFT, alongside her husband Andrew.

As a duo, Diane and Andrew have been foster carers with The CFT for around 2 years, and we got the chance to hear about their experiences so far at one of our recent foster carer support meetings in the East Midlands.

Diane and Andrew are exceptional foster carers and we’re proud to share their story of their inspiration, journey to approval, experience of CFT support and their advice to those considering becoming a foster carer.

Read on here!

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.  

As a Supervising Social Worker, you will contribute to the growth and development of St Christopher’s fostering services by playing a key role in the recruitment, training and assessment of foster carers and by building positive relationships with referring authorities and other professionals.

Applicants should have:

• CQSW, DipSW, BA Social Work or equivalent professional qualification, and registration with the Health and Care Professions Care Council (HCPC).
• Experience of working in fostering or adoption.
• Knowledge of relevant child care legislation.
• Ability to manage your caseload effectively and to plan and priorities work to meet deadlines.
• Excellent communication, motivation and team work skills.
• Ability to travel independently to all areas required by job responsibilities.
• Passion for building brighter futures for vulnerable young people and delivering the highest quality services possible.

Click here for full job details 

Galina Markova, Our UK Therapeutic Manager for the charity, has taken over this month’s CEO’s Blog and explains why.

As we reflect on Children’s Mental Health Week earlier in February, we are reminded of the importance of fostering resilience, emotional well-being, and stability for children and young people. This year’s theme, ‘Know Yourself, Grow Yourself,’ sought to encourage self-awareness and personal development—key aspects of every individual’s therapeutic journey. While Children’s Mental Health Week brings children’s mental health into focus once a year, at St Christopher’s, and especially for the UK Wraparound service, every week is Mental Health Week. Supporting the psychological and emotional well-being of young people is at the heart of everything we do, every single day.

For children in care, mental health challenges can often be complex and deeply rooted in past experiences. Many have faced trauma, neglect, and instability, making it crucial that they receive continuous therapeutic support. That is why our Wraparound therapeutic team plays such a vital role in our organisation—not only in supporting the young people, but also in working closely with our dedicated care teams to ensure that every aspect of the environment is set up to promote healing and growth.

Click here to read the full article

The Longevity Games is supporting our fostering charity in raising awareness of the vital work we do and the need for more foster carers in our community.

What is The Longevity Games?
The Longevity Games is an exciting fitness event dedicated to promoting health, well-being, and longevity. It features endurance, strength, and explosive exercise activities, all aimed at enhancing quality of life.

Our Involvement
Thanks to the generous support of event organiser Tim Howe, our charity has been given the fantastic opportunity to spread awareness by including our leaflets in all competitors’ goody bags. With 143 participants at this indoor event at Delta Tennis Centre, Swindon, that means 143 opportunities to reach people who may be interested in making a difference in a child’s life.

Additionally, members of our fostering community will be actively taking part. Our very own CFC foster carer, Charmaine, will be competing at the event. Our Senior Supervising Social Worker Jenny will also be volunteering while her husband takes part alongside Charmaine. 

Looking Ahead
This is just the beginning! The Longevity Games will return in May, July, and September, moving back to an outdoor setting with greater capacity. This will allow us to have a dedicated stand helping us reach even more people who may be interested in fostering.

Click here to read the full article

Barnardo’s is celebrating a historic milestone - the largest single donation in the charity’s history. The £18 million gift from the Katherine Martin Charitable Trust will fully fund the rest of the Barnardo’s Gap Homes programme, creating 50 homes across the UK, as well as an ongoing fund to support vital services in the North of England.  

This transformational gift builds on Katherine Martin’s extraordinary life and legacy. Katherine defied societal norms as a trailblazer in the 1920s. She was a successful businesswoman, a pioneering racing driver, and a key figure in shaping the iconic Aston Martin brand. Beyond her achievements in the automotive industry, she was a dedicated philanthropist with a passion for improving the lives of children and young people.  

Click here to read the full article

Why You Should Become a Foster Carer: Changing Lives, One Child at a Time
At The Foster Care Charity, we are passionate about giving children, especially those with experience in care, the chance to thrive. We believe fostering plays a pivotal role in providing the foundation for their future s

To flourish, children need a stable and nurturing environment that includes emotional support, education, and the encouragement to pursue their passions. A sense of security helps them develop confidence and resilience—key traits for overcoming life’s challenges.

How Does Fostering Provide the Best Opportunity?
Fostering offers children a safe, supportive home where they can heal and grow. Our matching process ensures that carers and children are well-suited, fostering long-term success. We are proud of our strong track record in making these connections.

Click here to read the full article

TACT Scotland recently hosted a heart-warming celebration to honour its foster carers and young people, bringing together a vibrant community of support, laughter, and shared memories. The event was filled with the sounds of joy, as 27 foster carers, 9 staff members, and many of our children and young people gathered. The range of ages was truly special, from children as young as 4 months to young adults up to 21 years old, while the experience of our foster carers spanned from 5 months to 15 years.

Area Manager Natasha led the celebrations, personally presenting each foster carer household with a thoughtful gift bag. The bags included candles, chocolates, TACT merchandise, and a bubble bar or bath bomb, generously donated by LUSH. Natasha also took a moment to reflect with each carer on their time with TACT, acknowledging the highs, lows, laughter, tears, and everything in between. Each carer was then awarded a certificate, marking their valuable contributions and commitment. 

Click here to read the full article

A charity that helps children and young people who have experience of being in care has appealed for volunteer mentors.

The Break Charity, external said it was looking for mentors for ten youngsters in the area of King's Lynn, Norfolk.

The mentors, who need to be over the age of 21, would be asked to commit to a year of supporting a young person with regular meetings, in which they can share life skills and try new activities.

Maren Albrigtsen, the charity's mentoring lead, said, in particular, those leaving care at the age of 18 benefit from having positive and caring role models.

Liam, 23, said the experience of having to leave his children's home on his 18th birthday was really challenging.

He was matched with his mentor, Mark, a year ago and he said it has been one of the best things he has ever done.

"The one-to-one aspect of being with him really helps. [Mark] was a school teacher and now he works with children at an outdoor activity centre.

"One thing I love about Mark is we both really love football. So it's much easier to start a conversation with him than with someone who doesn't like football.

"It's scary at first because you don't know the person. But now it's working really well for me."

After being matched with a young person, mentors will have supervised sessions with Break staff while everyone gets to know each other.

Click here to read the full article