“We provide support for our foster carers 24/7 – there’s always someone on the end of a phone if they need it. Every month we nominate one of our fostering households for an Everyday Hero award, including foster carers and birth children.  People use words like ‘quality and professionalism’, ‘hard work’ and ‘dedication’ when they are talking about our agency. I’m so proud of our fostering families and children.  Our staff  are supportive and inclusive, they respect each other’s differences. As Agency Manager, I am there for my staff and foster carers. ”

Registered Manager, Doreen Beason

National Fostering Agency South East covers a large geographical area, yet succeeds in maintaining a friendly, family feel. Its aim is to provide a consistently high standard of service for its fostering families and children and, in December 2022, the agency was awarded Good by Ofsted. It has a dedicated and cohesive staff team that provides support for its children and carers. The agency is backed by the wider support, knowledge and expertise of the National Fostering Group.

Support

Foster carers receive weekly calls from their supervising social worker and monthly supervisory visits. There is always someone available to respond to enquiries, day or night, and therapeutic support can be provided if needed. A comprehensive programme of training is offered, including Therapeutic Parenting training. The agency also runs courses to encourage foster carers to take good care of themselves and their own wellbeing. It regards this as crucial because foster carers are often dealing with secondary trauma from the children in their care.

Acknowledging achievement

The agency goes out of its way to recognise and acknowledge the achievements of its children and fostering families. Each year it hosts Annual Achievement Awards for the children in its care. It recognises Acts of Kindness from both the children in care and birth children, who play an important role within fostering families. Each month the Supervising Social Workers nominate a foster carer to receive the monthly Everyday Hero Award. These recognise and thank foster carers who go above and beyond.

Events

National Fostering Agency South East wants its foster carers to feel fully supported and seen. Fostering can be tough and the agency works closely with its foster carers to do the best for children and young people. It hosts a programme of events throughout the year, bringing fostering families together for summer activities, Christmas pantomimes, awards and carer brunches. Foster children are encouraged to have their say in the way the agency is run.

Our values:

• We treat everyone – children and young people, foster carers, staff and stakeholders – with dignity and respect.
• We have created a culture where people feel listened to and heard.
• We work well together to provide the highest standards of care for our children.