TWENTY years ago, two men sat around a kitchen table in Whitley Bay to devise a plan to create an ethical, not-for profit fostering agency that would put the welfare of the child at its heart.

Now, at the start of its 21st year, Team Fostering is rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted, and employs more than 60 people across three regions.

Operating in the North-East, Yorkshire, and the East Midlands, Team Fostering was the vision of founders, Peter Richardson and Walter Young. Both had substantial experience in the fostering industry, and a goal to offer the best possible fostering experience for children and for carers.

The independent agency ploughs any profit back into the organisation in order to give young people the best chance of a successful future, through stable and lasting foster care.

The Northern Echo:

Casey Spence, Team Fostering’s marketing & communications officer is part of a larger team that matches foster carers with the growing number of vulnerable young people who need that chance.

She says: “Peter and Walter’s vision was of an ethical organisation where the goal was to put children first, and put people before profit.

“That is still the philosophy today, and everyone in Team Fostering supports that.

“From our staff, to our foster carers, we’re all committed to providing brighter futures for the young people we work with.”

Casey understands what an enormous decision it is to take a vulnerable child into your home.

“We say that it’s not a job – it’s a vocation, and we will ask people some very searching questions when they first apply,” she explains.

“Becoming a foster carer isn’t a job that finishes at 5pm when you close the door or turn off your computer – it can be a real challenge. But seeing the progress that the children make every day, from learning to ride bikes, to achieving at school or even seeing them take their first ever holidays, can be extremely rewarding and makes it all worth it.”

“You have to really want to do it, and you have to be committed and resilient.”

The Northern Echo:

Anyone who goes ahead will have the full support of Team Fostering behind them. Across the regions are dedicated teams that include social work staff, referrals and placements staff, educational support and psychological support.

“Our young people are vulnerable individuals who need the extra help and support, because they haven’t had the stability in their lives in the same way that a lot of other children have,” says Casey.

“We want to provide them with the best opportunities to succeed in all areas of their lives.”

The friendly, welcoming team are keen to speak to anyone who might be interested in offering a vulnerable child a warm and stable home, in order to give them a chance to achieve their potential.

First contact can be made through the website, with particular information on how to apply during lockdown.

“As a not-for-profit agency, we’re here to make sure that the profits we make are pushed into the areas they’re needed most – the care of young people,” says Casey.

“We are focused on putting young people first – making sure children and foster carers have everything they need.”