Our Mission: Children Come First
We believe every child deserves a safe place to call home. Here at The Foster Care Charity, children are at the heart of everything we do. It’s pretty simple really – we’re here to help create better futures for young people in foster care across England.
How We Work: Better Together
We’re big believers in teamwork. Good things happen when caring professionals and dedicated foster families come together with one goal: making life better for children in care.
Our friendly team works side-by-side with:
Foster families who need support and a listening ear
Local authorities who share our passion for children’s wellbeing
Community partners who help us reach more children
Together, we provide training, resources, someone to talk to when things get tough, and a strong voice that speaks up for children’s needs and rights.
We're not just finding homes for children - we're helping build their tomorrows.
Our Story: How We've Grown
We started small back in 1999 – just a handful of people in Worcestershire who saw a need and decided to do something about it. Our founders knew firsthand that both children in care and the amazing folks who welcome them into their homes needed better support.
Fast forward to today, and we’ve grown into something much bigger! You’ll now find us working across:
- The Midlands
- Eastern counties
- Northwest England
- Yorkshire
- Bristol and the Southwest
From Hull to Bristol and Hereford to Norwich, we’re proud to work with some truly incredible foster carers who are changing young lives every single day.
Our Promise to You
Everything we do is for the children. Their happiness, their growth, and their futures guide every decision we make. We dream big for these amazing young people because we know what they can achieve when given the care, stability and chances they deserve.
Our Vision
“To make a positive impact on children’s lives and enable them to achieve their full potential, have a sense of belonging, and grow as individuals.”
Our Values
Morally Driven
Ambitious for Children
Collaborative Partners
Inclusivity & Fairness
Our wonderful staff and carers each bring their own special touch to create a warm, welcoming space for everyone involved with our charity.
From the moment someone applies to become a foster carer, our staff are there every step of the way – offering training, a listening ear, and guidance through both the approval process and the fostering journey beyond.
What makes our team truly special? It’s simple – we genuinely care about making a difference in children’s lives. A heartfelt commitment which shines through in everything we do.
Our Amazing Foster Carers & Staff: The Heart Behind the Work
Our Foster Family: Making Dreams Happen
The foster carers who work with us are nothing short of amazing. Their passion, big hearts and dedication shine through. Just look at how the children in their care are thriving – that’s the real proof of what happens when children have the right support!
Behind the scenes, our Leadership team and Trustees pour their energy into keeping our vision alive and our values strong.
When you put us all together – carers, staff, and leadership – we make quite the team! And together, we’re doing what matters most: creating loving homes where children can feel safe, valued, and ready to reach for their dreams.
Meet Our team
Our Senior Leaders
Samantha Williams - Head of IT & Business
Barbara Allies - Deputy CEO
Steve Field - Director of Childcare
Our Board of Trustees
Brian O'Connell
Chairman
Trustee
Trustee
Trustee
Trustee
Trustee
Inclusive
• Kindness and respect for caregivers, children, and staff
• Celebrating diversity and promoting equal opportunities
• Open, honest communication for meaningful connections
• Transparency, kindness, and fairness in policies
• Shaping a future of genuine "Inclusivity & Fairness"
Child Centred
• Every child deserves the best start in life
• Delivering excellent children's social care
• Nurturing aspirations for a brighter future
• Prioritize children and involve them in decision-making
• "Ambitious for Children" is our trusted promise
Ethical
• Strong moral compass guides our decisions
• We value integrity and and promote behavioural standards
• Objectivity & fairness are prioritised
• Committed to building trust and making a positive impact
• Embracing a "Morally Driven" approach
Collaborative
• Believe in building strong partnerships
• Embrace a culture of cooperation
• Prioritize shared goals over individual interests
• Exchange information, knowledge, and resources
• Committed to success for all as "Collaborative Partners"
