​Team Fostering is a not-for-profit agency that invests surplus made into the services provided to foster carers, children and young people. This ensures that there are no shareholders who are able to make any profit from children in care, and that we can continue to advance the package of support, training and allowances for foster carers in order to ensure they flourish in their role.

We are an agency member of The Fairer Fostering Partnership along with other charitable or not-for-profit organisations who believe in putting children before profit. 

We spoke to our foster carers about our not-for-profit status and what it means to them, and they agreed to share their thoughts on working for an ethical agency.

Here's what they said...

'It means Team are transparent and plough profits back into the organisation. Staff are caring and committed to carers. It one big family and the staff and other foster carers care for all of our children. It's wonderful.'

'Because of Team Fostering's not-for-profit status I feel am aware of their being truthful, fair and honest in all areas of the fostering task.'

'I will stay with Team Fostering because I know that they will remain not-for-profit and that they will always put back into the agency.'

'All £££s are put at the centre of the agency to support the children and not the bank balance, once sustainability is assured. All the money is invested in children and this is unlike other agencies where shareholders are only interested in profit. I could never work for a for-profit agency.'

'Managers and staff have a whole life ethos of being caring and nurturing, leading by example.'

If you're considering becoming a foster carer, or if you're already fostering and considering moving to another agency, we would urge you to consider speaking to a not-for-profit provider. Foster carers and staff at Team Fostering share a firm belief that no profit should be made from children in care, and as a result of this the agency is able to use funds to provide comprehensive support, innovative training and competitive fees so that you can take on the role knowing the agency is behind you every step of the way.

To speak with us you can contact us in the following ways:

by submitting an Online Enquiry Form
by using our Live Chat function
by calling us on 0800 292 2003
by emailing info@teamfostering.co.uk

Source:
www.teamfostering.co.uk

​Back in April 2018, Team Fostering had the privilege of hosting a group of social workers and managers from Iraq, as they visited the North East to gain valuable insight into the foster care process here in the UK. Representatives from STEP (UK), an international development charity, and the Kurdish Ministry of Labour & Social Affairs met with several of our foster carers, managers and social workers to develop their understanding of how Team Fostering operates, and how this might relate to their own common goals in the Kurdish region of Iraq.
​
As Team Fostering Director Walter Young stated at the time, “I’m delighted that we can share our knowledge and experience with STEP (UK) and the Kurdish Regional Government. This visit to the UK has offered them the chance to learn about what we do and why it’s so successful. Sharing our expertise in this way can make a big difference to children’s lives.”

Flash forward to 2020, and Walter has now just returned to the UK after some time in Iraq with STEP (UK), following up on the growth of the project since the group’s UK visit in 2018. Nearly two years on, foster care resources are firmly in place in the Kurdish region, and a total of 16 placements have been made. The team are now looking to develop their short-term and emergency placement options. 

The project hasn’t been plain sailing however, as setting up foster care in a location without the prior infrastructure to support it remains a challenging process. As Walter explains, “People don’t always understand the concept of foster care when they first encounter it, so a huge part of the task is raising awareness of what fostering is, and why it’s so beneficial to children and young people in the area.”

To help with this, Walter also arranged for a very special conference call while he was in Iraq. His sister Emma, a foster carer in Scotland, skyped in to give an honest, insightful view into the care of the children and young people she works with. This gave those working within the care system in Iraq an added real-life perspective on the sector outside of Team Fostering, which they valued immensely.

With Walter’s support, foster care organisations from around the world have benefited from Team Fostering's advice and expertise. If you're interested in fostering or in learning more about what it means to operate as an ethical agency, you can speak with us on 0800 292 2003.

To find out more about the valuable work STEP (UK) does, visit http://www.step-uk.com/

Source:
www.teamfostering.co.uk

​In August 2019, members of our young persons’ groups in the North East and Yorkshire came together to discuss Team Fostering’s environmental impact as an organisation, and to think in depth about how the agency, and our foster families, could improve in these areas.

With climate change and environmental champions like Greta Thunburg gaining high profile attention in the media, our young people were inspired to take positive action and formed an Environmental Task Force. Members of Teamies, the North East group, and Project Listen, the Yorkshire group, linked up to explore the environmental challenges the world is currently facing and to look for achievable solutions.

The groups travelled to Dalby Forest in North Yorkshire and put their minds to work straight away on recommendations for the organisation, as well as a reusable bag design initiative, before completing activities including archery, ropework and climbing. The key focus of the day was to reduce plastic waste and the young people put together some top tips on how to reduce plastic use at home, as well as useful feedback for Team Fostering’s board of directors on reducing its waste, carbon footprint and general environmental impact.

Smart ideas sourced by the group included ‘using public transport instead of the car’, ‘growing your own fruit and vegetables’ and ‘getting involved in a local litter pick’. The young people were also set the task of designing a colourful, engaging image to be printed on a reusable cotton shopping bag, which would then be gifted to foster carers. Ellie, aged 13 from the North East group, had her winning design selected by the wider group to be printed on the bags. You can see the group's choice above. Ellie said “We [the young people of Team Fostering] are trying to help save the world; if you see the world as we do, you will try as well.”

The finished bags arrived in the regional offices in January 2020 and were distributed to fostering households very soon after, along with facts and useful information from the group on recycling and reducing plastic waste. Only a few remained, with those quickly purchased by members of Team Fostering staff. The popular design went down a storm with everyone who received one.

You can find out more about the work Team Fostering does with young people on our Education and Support page here.  

Source:
www.teamfostering.co.uk

In January, Team Fostering celebrated almost two decades of putting children first – providing safe, high quality, family based care for children who are looked after by the local authority. On the 31st of January 2001, we approved our very first foster family in the North East, and 19 years on, we’re just as committed to investing in children’s futures.

Team Fostering was established by Peter Richardson and Walter Young. After years of working in the fostering sector, they shared the belief that independent fostering agencies should not make a profit from children and young people in care. At a time when many agencies were doing just that, Peter and Walter took a leap of faith and created Team Fostering.

From a single base in the North East, the agency has now expanded to operate from 5 offices across the country, including Yorkshire and East Midlands. Many of our staff and carers have been with us since the very start, fully invested in the ethical aims of Team Fostering.

As Allison, one of our first foster carers explains; ‘We never thought the agency would become as big. Team began as a small group with big dreams to provide quality care to children and young people as a not-for-profit agency. Fostering has continued to change since the agency began and Team have adapted during the years to take on those changes but still provide the best possible service to the children.’

Team Fostering are delighted to work with a wide community of staff and foster carers who believe in supporting children and young people to develop exciting, optimistic lives beyond care, and remain committed to providing this service for many more families in the future. 

If you're interested in fostering for a not-for-profit fostering agency, Team Fostering provides training, support, fees and allowances to help you flourish in your role. 

You can speak with us about training as a foster carer, or transferring to us from another agency, in any of the following ways:

call us on 0800 292 2003
send an online enquiry form by clicking here
email us via info@teamfostering.co.uk

Source:
www.teamfostering.co.uk

Assistant Director (Yorkshire and East Midlands)
Closing Date - 10th February 2020
Full Time 37.5 hours per week
Salary Banding - £52,633.30 – 58,413.97 per annum
Please note we do not operate a performance related reward system or automatic incremental payments

Team Fostering is an ethical not for profit fostering agency with a strong reputation and track record for providing high quality, value for money fostering placements for looked after children. We pride ourselves on our values and we expect our staff to commit to and demonstrate these values in their everyday work.

We are looking for an ‘outstanding and committed’ individual with substantial experience of providing services to looked after children to lead the provision and development of our fostering service in the Yorkshire and East Midlands region. You must have an understanding of the commercial drivers in today’s marketplace, the role of independent fostering providers and their working relationship with local authorities and be capable of successfully delivering new opportunities to enhance our agency.

The post holder will act as the Registered Manager and be responsible for the day to day management of all aspects of the service provided by the regional office. Working as an integral member of the senior leadership team, you will have a sound knowledge of current legislation, including regulations, guidance and standards, and will work to promote our ethical not for profit status.

As the ideal candidate you will have demonstrable experience of formulating and delivering business development strategies within an independent fostering agency and have the  communication and engagement skills to challenge ideas and positively manage change.  You will have a flair for influencing and negotiating in high pressure situations whilst building strong and lasting relationships with the ability to constructively lead, drive and influence internal and external stakeholders.  You will be a person with the ability to provide insightful debate and recommendations to the Board through professional experience.

Above all, you will have excellent leadership, strategic vision, communication and interpersonal skills and be hardworking, positive, and motivated to improve outcomes for looked after children.

The post is based in Sheffield however you will be required to work flexibly across the Yorkshire and East Midlands region. There will also be a requirement to travel to our offices in the North East.

For an informal chat about the post please contact Jane Butler, CEO on 0114 2617762.

To apply, complete an Application Form and Equal Opportunities Form (accessible via the link below) and return by email to hr@teamfostering.co.uk no later than 9am on 10th February 2020.

All posts require an Enhanced DBS Disclosure.

Closing date: 9am on 10th February 2020

Interviews will be held on 28th February and 2nd March 2020

Please note if you are shortlisted for interview we will contact you via the email you have provided. Please ensure you check your emails regularly.

Thank you for your interest in Team Fostering and taking the time to apply for this position.

Full details and application details here

At Team Fostering our mission statement is simple; Putting Children's Futures First. This embodies our not-for-profit status that drives all decision-making with children at heart, and is embedded throughout the agency.

As an agency with ethical aims we continually seek ways to improve our service, whether that's through innovative support packages for carers, unique training opportunities or child-centred initiatives. In turn this supports foster carers to meet the needs of children and young people in their care.

To this end, in 2018 we partnered with John Sands, a clinical psychologist to form our own Psychological Support Service, a new service that offers foster carers further specialised support. John's work is underpinned by attachment and resilience theories that align with the therapeutic framework used by Team Fostering, The Secure Base Model. 

The service initially launched as a 1-year pilot to run from 2018 to 2019 but, following an extremely positive response from foster carers, it was extended to continue into Summer 2020. The aim of the service is to provide support and information to carers and staff that will strengthen their ability to tailor care for individual children, providing them with an opportunity to recover from early traumatic experiences. 

John continues to be available across four of Team Fostering's offices; North Tyneside, Middlesbrough, Sheffield and South Normanton; for one day each month. There are two elements to the service; workshops that are open to all carers and staff in the morning, followed by individual consultations over the afternoon. By adopting this model we hope to be able to support as many carers as possible, both to enhance their understanding of the impact of trauma on children and how to help them recover from their experiences, but also to have the opportunity to talk in detail about particular issues.

Team Fostering is an independent, not-for-profit fostering agency covering the North East, Yorkshire and East Midlands. If you're interested in becoming a foster carer, contact us to learn more about the role, support, training and salary by:

calling us on 0800 292 2003
emailing info@teamfostering.co.uk
submitting an online enquiry by clicking here
 
Source:
www.teamfostering.co.uk

Fostering is an amazing role and one that can be incredibly rewarding, but it is certainly not without challenging times. As a foster carer you look after children and young people in your home as part of your family, and while our foster carers describe the experience of watching them grow as incredible, some of these children have come from traumatic backgrounds that impact their emotional wellbeing, behaviour and development.

For many, Christmas is an exciting time as children and adults alike look forward to time with loved ones, festive cheer, gifts and celebrations. Sometimes fostering a child who hasn’t experienced this before can give you the opportunity to introduce them to the many festivities of Christmas day, which can be exciting and fulfilling. However, it can be a difficult time for those who may not understand why they aren’t at home with their parents or who are overwhelmed by a festive buzz that they aren’t used to, stirring up a range of emotions that might be challenging for you to manage.

Where possible, speak with the child’s social worker about what Christmas meant for them before coming into your care. Was it celebrated at all? Were there religious elements to their Christmas? What about their experiences with gifts, Christmas food or other traditions? This isn’t to say that you’ll match their past experiences bit by bit, as there will be many whose previous neglect at Christmas (and throughout the year) will shock you, but it is useful to understand how different your own traditions may be, so that you can prepare to accommodate them and welcome them without overwhelming them.

Over the festive period you’re likely to have more guests in the home than usual or be out and about at the homes of friends and family. It might be worth, if possible and where you haven’t already, introducing the child or young person you’re looking after to many of these people ahead of festivities so that they aren’t overwhelmed with lots of new introductions in a short amount of time or in a small and busy space. Team Fostering’s foster carers also advise remembering to be patient and understanding. Recognise that when things don’t go to plan it’s not yours or the child’s fault, but a result of a lot of emotional challenges and past experiences that are often heightened at this time of year. Remember your support network, your fellow foster carers, supervising social worker and friends, and remember that you are entitled to support from your agency at any time of the year, day and night.

At Team Fostering our 24/7 support service runs throughout Christmas and the New Year so that foster carers are never without a local support worker to contact for help and guidance. Over December we host Christmas events that allow children and young people to celebrate with others in care and with similar backgrounds, where last year a child commented ‘the best part of today was knowing I was around people that were like me’.

We wish everyone the best over the festive season and look forward to spending some time with foster carers and young people.

Team Fostering is an independent, not-for-profit fostering agency that recruits and trains foster carers across the North East, Yorkshire and East Midlands. If you're interested in fostering we're here to answer any questions you have about the pay, support and training you will be given by us.

Reach us by:
calling 0800 292 2003
emailing info@teamfostering.co.uk
submitting an online enquiry by clicking here​

Source: www.teamfostering.co.uk

​Every year, Team Fostering promotes the national campaign as part of the agency's commitment to looking after young people as the get ready to leave care, continuing to invest in their futures post-18.

This year, IMO's theme for the campaign is future aspirations, following a successful 2018 focus on younger selves. Last year, young people about to leave care were encouraged to think about what they would say to their younger selves if they were given the chance, contributing to IMO's #DearYoungerMe. For 2019, care leavers all over the country were invited to contribute to a #DearFutureMe campaign, sharing what they would like to say to themselves in 10 years time.

Team Fostering held one of its residential activities for young people in care earlier in October, which proved a great opportunity to get those approaching 18 to contribute their own thoughts. They considered what their inspirations were for the future, employment and personal goals, as well as general kind thoughts that they hoped they would remember in 10 years. These were written across postcards provided by IMO, shared nationally as part of their campaign, and you can see our top Team Fostering picks below.

As an agency, Team Fostering is committed to offering support and guidance to children in care as they approach, and pass, 18. As well as working with foster carers to provide 'staying put' agreements up to the age of 21, we also have designated 'life skills workers' who work with these young people to support education and employment applications and interviews, independent living skills and more. What's more, the agency has a fantastic team of foster carers, many of whom keep in touch with young people they've looked after following their moving onto independence. In fact, throughout the week we'll be sharing some examples of young people that are still in touch with foster carers several years after leaving their care! 

Team Fostering is an independent, not-for-profit fostering agency with ethical aims that strive to put children's futures first. Operating in this ethical way means that more funds can be invested in the support, services and benefits offered to our foster carers and the children that they look after.

To learn more about becoming a foster carer with Team Fostering, contact us by:

calling 0800 292 2003
emailing info@teamfostering.co.uk
submitting an online enquiry form by clicking here

By Steve Elliff, Education and Support Service Manager

"Where did September go? Now we’re fully embraced in Autumnal weather and darker evenings, we’ve been reflecting on the many good times we’ve had this summer at Team Fostering, looking a little closer at the importance of year-round opportunities on offer to fostering families, children and young people.
At Team Fostering we have a dedicated ‘Education and Support Service’ that offers education-led support alongside activities, trips and holidays. The package provided embraces the fact that learning doesn’t end in the classroom, with personal and social development key areas that help young people succeed in life.

In fact, our annual caravan holiday couldn’t be any further away from a day in a classroom, instead offering a fun and active week for children to play, explore, learn and develop. This year, our Yorkshire and East Midlands region spent a week in Filey, on a holiday jam-packed with activities and events. This ranged from night-time walks and surfing lessons at Clayton Bay through to a ‘Team Day’, rounders and a picnic at Sewerby Hall. Planning a holiday for 150 people (foster carers, family members, children and staff) takes quite some time, but is so valuable to the agency as we watch young people make new friends and try new things, building their confidence and developing their independence. The holiday embraces everything about our mission statement; ‘Putting Children’s Futures First’.

The annual holiday begins with a meet and greet for children, foster carers and staff to get to know one another, with children quickly making friends and families subsequently flurrying to book onto activities together to allow these friendships to develop. A small staff group attend, who are on call to keep things running smoothly and offer support. Team Fostering, as a child-focused organisation, encourages staff to bring their own family on the holiday, and this further helps in bringing everyone closer together.

This year’s holiday felt extra-special. While we always receive very positive feedback from all attendees, this year we were pleased to hear that new carers found the holiday formed an important part of their induction year. Coming along to spend time together had enabled them to meet other carers that they can now approach for support and advice. This is fantastic, as we understand some newly approved foster carers can feel anxious about ‘fitting in’. Several carers whose children and young people became friends during the holiday have taken the opportunity to arrange future meet-ups so that their children can spend time with their new friends, and that is incredible.

We’re very lucky to work alongside such fantastic foster carers, who together with their families and support networks look after incredible children and young people. Thank you to all who attended our Filey holiday, and… roll on next year!"

Source:
www.teamfostering.co.uk