Fostering is my way of making a positive difference in the world. If you can offer a child a home and the support they need at a difficult time in their life, then you must get involved.
Our Easter bash was a riot of colour, crafts, and contagious laughter! Foster families, young people at Progress, and team members gathered in a sun‑kissed garden for:
Craft Corner: Glitter flew as kiddos decorated a giant “25” with personal touches—each sparkle a memory!
Storytime & Traditions: We dove into Easter’s tales of hope, renewal, and community, then painted our own paper keepsakes to take home.
Giggles Galore: From egg‑and‑spoon races to impromptu dance‑offs, joy was definitely the day’s VIP guest.
A huge high‑five to our team members, young persons and incredible foster carers—you made magic happen! Here’s to many more springs filled with friendship and fun.
From balancing spreadsheets to balancing emotional needs, Tom’s career change was less about numbers and more about nurturing.
Tom’s journey into fostering didn’t start with a formal qualification or a long-term plan. It started with something much simpler — a desire to give back. Having been in care himself, Tom always knew what it meant to have someone just be there, not to fix everything, but to show up consistently.
“I didn’t realise I could use my background for positivity,” he says. “But volunteering made me realise how much of a difference just being present can make.”
Tom’s early career was in banking, but a chance opportunity to volunteer with the Children’s Society changed everything. What began as a monthly outing with a boy in foster care who kept running away, turned into a calling.
“I was there through five different placements in two years. I couldn’t fix it, but I could be there.”
That experience led him into residential care, where he spent years working with children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), including learning difficulties, autism, and complex health needs. It wasn’t always easy — there were difficult days, even allegations that were later resolved — but his passion for the work never wavered.
Eventually, Tom made the leap into fostering through Progress Fostering Service. His background in residential care became a powerful asset in his new role. His experience working with young people with SEND helped him build trust and structure into the lives of children who desperately needed both.
Tom highlights the value of experience over qualifications.
“It doesn’t matter how many books you read. Every child is different, even if they share the same diagnosis. What matters is honesty, being present, and adapting to what they need.”
Tom currently fosters a boy who began in a different foster home, then went to a residential setting, and finally transitioned to live with him. That carefully planned transition made a world of difference. They started with meetings, progressed to overnight stays, and built a genuine connection before the full move.
“He matches me. He loves football, we support the same team. Having that early connection was important, because while I might be anxious, he was going into the unknown.”
Now approaching his 16th birthday, the boy is thriving. He’s made academic progress, and is navigating teenage life with newfound stability.
Tom’s focus remains on supporting him through this crucial period.
“To look past that would be unfair. My priority should be him. I want him to feel safe, have something to look forward to, and know he’s not just being dropped at 18.”
To those considering fostering, especially those with experience in residential care or nursing, Tom offers heartfelt encouragement:
“You’ll share in the success. Watching someone grow, overcome challenges, and succeed — it’s priceless. You already know how to work with professionals, talk to families, and build relationships. You can do this.”
What sets Progress apart, Tom says, is its supportive, personal approach.
“It doesn’t feel like a huge agency where you’re just a number. Here, my name is known. I’m always supported.”
Tom believes fostering is something more people should consider. “If you’ve got a spare bedroom and want to make a difference, you can. SEND children need specialist carers — and Progress helps you become that person.”
In June 2025, Progress will mark an incredible 25 years of supporting children and young adults. We’re planning a special event to celebrate our journey so far—and the next steps we’ll take together.
Stay tuned for more details, including highlights from our early days, stories from our amazing staff, and how you can join in the fun. We can’t wait to share what’s in store—check back soon and follow our social channels for all the latest updates!
Here’s to 25 years of care, growth, and progress… and counting!
At Progress Fostering Service, there is a growing concern that reflects a national challenge: young children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) are entering residential care, not necessarily because it’s the best setting for them, but because there simply aren’t enough specialist foster carers available.
“Some of the young people we have would be well suited to fostering placements,” says Joshua Bell, Manager at Hilton, one of Progress’ residential services. “But the situation at the moment is there’s quite a shortage of available foster placements.”
SEND encompasses a wide spectrum. It includes learning difficulties, communication needs, and behavioural challenges. But as Josh notes, it’s not always about a diagnosed disability. “It can also be about life experience—trauma or other challenges they’ve been through. There can be special provisions needed around those experiences too.”
The challenge is multifaceted. On one hand, residential services like Progress’ Hilton House are doing tremendous work to support children with complex needs. Staff receive regular training, adapt to each new child, and ensure the care package is as individualised as possible. Yet, despite the excellent care, residential settings cannot replace the warmth and consistency of a family home.
“We’ve got children as young as four,” Josh explains. “And although we’re doing everything we can, we know some of them would benefit more from being in a family setting.”
This is where the urgent need for specialist foster carers becomes evident. Progress is calling on people with empathy, energy, and patience to step forward. Contrary to common assumptions, a background in care isn’t essential. In fact, Josh himself entered care work with limited experience. “I came in fresh. I’d done a bit of domiciliary care and some university support work, but I had no idea places like this even existed.”
Over the years, Progress has seen people from education, mental health services, and even those with just personal life experience succeed in supporting children with SEND. What matters most is the willingness to learn and the ability to adapt.
To support a smoother transition from residential care to fostering, Progress is offering a rare opportunity: foster carers can build relationships with children before they move in. “You could do some shifts with them, get to know them, build that bond. That way, the child isn’t going into the unknown,” explains Progress’ Kirsty Somers.
This approach isn’t just innovative—it’s compassionate. It recognises that children with SEND often struggle with change and need time to adjust. Transitioning gradually into a foster home reduces anxiety and sets the stage for a more stable placement.
Still, it’s important to acknowledge that residential services play a crucial role. As Kirsty points out, “Fostering isn’t always the right place for a child. Sometimes a child needs support that can only be offered in a residential setting, and that’s okay.”
But when fostering is the right path, the goal is clear: find carers who can provide not just shelter, but a sense of belonging.
“No two days are the same,” says Josh, reflecting on his journey. “It can be tiring, but it’s always rewarding. You get out what you put in.”
Progress is hoping more people will be inspired to put in their energy, compassion, and time. Because somewhere in a residential service, there’s a child with SEND who’s ready to come home—if only there was one waiting.
