Ann and Tom


the highs and lows


“We’ve had over 60 placements within our 27 years of fostering,” says Tom. “The hardest thing is when they leave. Seeing them reunite with their families and thanking us for everything we have done makes it all worth it”. He continues, “When we started with nexus fostering, we had a family of 5 join us for the weekend, and they stayed for two years! We wouldn’t change a thing. Seeing the children grow up, be happy, enjoying themselves, with the help we gave them, is why we still foster”. Ann says, “we had 11 Parent & Child placements from 2013-2019. Every one of them kept their children. We are not here to be their parents but to help support and guide them for their future”.


a fostering family like no other


Celebrating its 20th anniversary in September, nexus fostering is a well-established fostering agency set up by Social Workers and continues to be so today. They support their foster carers by providing extensive training and are deeply committed to matching high-quality placements, leading to the best possible outcomes for children and young people.


their fostering journey


Ann and Tom have been foster carers with nexus fostering since the beginning. Tom says, “It started by looking aſter a family member, and we realised we could do it for other children that needed it. Everyone at nexus fostering was so friendly. It felt like a family and still does to this day. They have very high standards, so our Social Worker came to our house to check our spare room was adequate. A Form F Assessor supported us through the checks and references and even accompanied us to Panel, where we were approved. It was just such an easy process with nexus fostering. We knew we had made the right decision”.


support is key


Children are in care for various reasons. They need a safe home environment when they cannot live with their birth family. “Having a strong support network around you is crucial,” says Ann. “You need a good Supervising Social Worker to be with you every step. We’ve had great ones with nexus fostering. The support groups and events are essential to attend. They are a great way to get to know other carers and build friendships in your area”. Tom continues, “the training is so important. It builds up your knowledge as all children have different needs.”


57,380 There are around


children were living with foster families on 31 March 2021.


45,370 Original Source: Department of Education and Ofsted Nov 2021 and that’s


what fostering is, family.


what advice would you give to people thinking about becoming a foster carer? “Do your research,” says Tom, “and think about which agency will support you and your family.” Foster Carers from all walks of life are needed to enable these children to grow and flourish into independent, well-rounded adults. Ann says, “For us fostering is normal life. It’s hard to explain how much pleasure we get from fostering in the good and bad times. We are so proud of all of our children. I know we have done something good. It’s our family, and that’s what fostering is, family”.


It’s our family,


Kelly Randall, Director of nexus fostering, says, “Our drive to support the lives of looked-aſter children and young people is as great today as it was when we first began. Caring for a child or young person who cannot live with their


parents demonstrates a generosity of spirit and an open heart that we recognise and value immensely. We offer you 24/7 support, and a competitive allowance is rewarded to you for your valued work and to ensure the upkeep of children placed into your care. We also offer extra payments for festivities, birthdays, and holidays! We’re a fostering agency like no other, keeping our foster carers and young people our top priority!”


nexus fostering provides a full range of fostering placements, including respite, short-term, long-term, and more specialist placements such as parent & child fostering and therapeutic-led fostering. You must be over 21 and have a spare bedroom.


To learn more about fostering with nexus fostering, visit, www.nexusfostering.co.uk/family, or speak to their friendly team on 0800 389 0143.


This is 71% of the foster families in England. children in care looked after away from home. 80,850


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