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.
As part of our 25th anniversary celebrations, Progress Care Solutions was proud to host an unforgettable evening that honoured our journey, our people, and the communities we serve. Among the many highlights of the event was a stunning performance by Bollywood Dreams Dance — a troupe that brought rhythm, colour, and joy to the stage.
Their high-energy routine transported guests into the vibrant world of Bollywood, combining tradition and creativity in a performance that left everyone smiling, clapping, and even dancing along.
The performance was more than just entertainment; it was a symbol of the diversity, inclusion, and shared joy that have shaped Progress over the past 25 years. It reminded us that at the heart of our work — and our celebrations — is people.
Thank you to Bollywood Dreams Dance for helping us mark this milestone in such a memorable way.
Here’s to the next 25 years of care, trust, respect and Progress.
At Nightingale House, where twelve lives intertwine in complex ways, Fletch, a resident turned Expert by Experience, has become a strong force shaping the service and beyond.
At Nightingale House in Derby, something inspiring is happening. The 12-bed home, part of Progress’ adult services, supports people with complex needs, many of whom are non-verbal, require hoisting, or live with profound disabilities. But even in such a specialist environment, leadership doesn’t just come from staff. Increasingly, it comes from within. From a resident named Fletch.
With sharp instincts, an assistive tablet, and a generous smile, Fletch has emerged not only as a valued member of the household but as one of its most trusted voices. His official title, Expert by Experience, belies the gravity of what he is doing: influencing and shaping the way care is delivered, recruitment decisions are made, and voices are heard. He’s not simply receiving support anymore. He’s influencing it.
This role has seen him check in on the wellbeing of fellow residents, spot safety issues in the home, and even sit in on staff interviews. “He’s got his own set of questions,” said Jackie, the Registered Manager. “And if someone doesn’t make eye contact with him, he clocks that. It matters to him.” Fletch takes the work seriously, “He gets rewards, yes,” his support worker explained. “But it’s not just about that. He wants to be involved.”
When asked what prepared him for the role, Fletch didn’t hesitate, he started listing names: Shannon, Georgia, Jackie, and others who had encouraged and guided him. It wasn’t a solo journey. It was built on trust and belief from those around him. That belief, paired with his lived experience and quiet resolve, helped him transform from a new resident finding his feet to a key contributor whose opinion carries weight.
Eleanor who started at Nightingale the same week Fletch moved in, has seen that transformation first-hand. “He was shy, a bit lost. Now he’s cheeky, confident, a real presence,” she said. “He’s gone from thinking about himself to actually saying, ‘That needs to change.’ He even helped interview Shannon, who’s now one of our strongest team members.”
This evolution has not gone unnoticed by Chantelle, another longtime staff member. “He was already lovely, but now he’s really growing into a confident young man,” she said. “He brings the vibes. If something’s off—laundry, kitchen, a bit of mess—he’s on it. Keeps us all in check.”
Fletch on duty at Nightingale House
When Fletch isn’t monitoring the goings-on at Nightingale, he’s out in the community, often on outings that combine leisure with learning: museums, historical tours, new cities. He loves these excursions, especially when they end with a visit to the pub. But it’s not all pints and sightseeing. Fletch is thinking about the future. His ambitions? Possibly another job, maybe even paid, beyond Nightingale House. He’s also got his sights set on going to the shop independently and, as he shyly admitted, perhaps finding a relationship. “Everyone wants love, don’t they?” his support worker said with a smile. Fletch grinned.
That emotional openness is one of his strongest qualities. He speaks often and fondly of his mother, who visits weekly. “You love your mum so much, don’t you?” he was asked during a chat. Fletch nodded, then added his grandmother, who calls him “an angel,” and cousins who come during the summer. Family is his anchor, his cheer section, and one of the reasons he walks with so much quiet pride.
It’s not hard to see why the staff at Nightingale House are so invested in him as they invest in other residents at the home. “He’s not just helping us run the service, he’s helping us improve it,” Jackie said. “He does homely audits, advocates for other residents, flags issues when things are broken. He sees things we don’t.”
And he does it with a style all his own. When his powered wheelchair temporarily broke down, he hated being pushed. “It wasn’t good for him,” one staff member recalled. “His wheelchair is his freedom. That independence, being able to move and ask for a drink when he wants, it makes a big difference.”
For Phil McDonald, who leads Progress Adult Services, the goal is to scale this kind of involvement. “Eventually, we want broader representation—people with autism, those who have experienced trauma. Co-production isn’t just a buzzword for us. It’s the goal.”
Jackie echoed the vision. “We hope Fletch might get the opportunity to go and visit other homes and do some audits or help with recruitment there if needed.”
For now, Fletch remains a quiet force at Nightingale House, greeting visitors with a grin, keeping an eye on standards, speaking up when something isn’t right. He’s still Fletch, after all. But he’s also something more: a living example of what’s possible when we trust those we support to shape the support they receive.
Fostering can be one of the most rewarding things you ever do, but let’s be honest, it’s not always easy. When people ask, “What’s the hardest part of fostering?”, there’s no single answer. Every carer, child, and situation is different. But there are a few common challenges that many foster carers experience, especially in those early days.
Letting go of expectations
It’s natural to imagine what fostering will be like, how the child will settle in, how you’ll bond, and what your day-to-day life might look like. But children in care often come from very complex backgrounds. They may not trust adults, and they may not respond to kindness in the way you’d expect. Building trust can take time, and it can be frustrating or even heartbreaking when you feel like you’re not getting through.
The hardest part? Sticking with it when things aren’t going the way you hoped. But also the most powerful part, because when that trust does come, it means everything.
Saying goodbye
Even in short-term fostering, deep bonds can form. You might look after a child for just a few weeks, or for months, even years. And when the time comes for them to return home or move on, it can feel like a piece of your heart is going with them.
It’s part of the job, but it never gets easy. What helps is knowing that you’ve played a part in that young person’s journey, giving them safety, stability, and love when they needed it most.
Managing behaviour shaped by trauma
Some children come into foster care after experiencing trauma, neglect, or abuse. That trauma doesn’t vanish when they walk through your front door. It often shows up in how they behave, from anxiety and withdrawal to anger or outbursts.
It’s not personal. It’s pain. And understanding that can help you respond with empathy rather than frustration. But it’s still emotionally demanding. That’s why ongoing training, wraparound support, and having someone on the end of the phone 24/7, like Progress offers, really matters.
Navigating the unknown
Foster carers often have to adapt quickly. Emergency placements can come with very little notice or information. Plans can change overnight. Meetings, school issues, court updates, there’s a lot going on behind the scenes.
Having a strong support network, both professionally and personally, can make all the difference. At Progress, our carers never go it alone. There’s always someone to guide, support, and step in when things get tough.
Final thoughts
The hardest part of fostering isn’t the behaviour or the meetings or even the goodbyes. It’s the emotional resilience it asks of you. But it’s also what makes fostering so powerful.
You open your heart and your home to a child in need. You give them a fresh start. And while it might be challenging at times, it’s also life-changing, for them and for you.
If you’re thinking about fostering and want an honest conversation about what it’s really like, our team at Progress is here to talk. No pressure, no judgement, just real answers from people who understand.
Call us today on 01902 561066 or visit progresscare.co.uk/fostering to start your fostering journey.
When people talk about fostering, they usually mean something very simple but powerful. It is about opening your home to care for a child or young person who, for one reason or another, cannot live with their own family.
But fostering is much more than just offering a bed and meals. It is about giving stability, patience, and kindness at a time when a young person really needs it.
So, what exactly is fostering?
Fostering is a way of providing care for children and young people who cannot live with their birth families. This might be because of neglect, illness, family breakdown or other difficult circumstances. Sometimes the placement is short-term while things get sorted out. Other times, it can continue for months or even years.
Foster carers don’t just offer a place to stay. They provide emotional support, routine, encouragement, and a sense of safety. In many ways, a foster family is just like any other. It is where a child can feel seen, heard, and cared for.
Is fostering the same as adoption?
No, they are different. With adoption, the adoptive parents take on full legal responsibility for the child for life. In fostering, the local authority remains legally responsible, and the aim is often to return the child to their birth family if that becomes possible.
This means some foster placements may last just a few days, while others continue until the child turns 18 and is ready for independence.
Are there different types of fostering?
Yes. The kind of fostering depends on the needs of each individual child. Some of the main types include:
Short-term fostering – temporary care while a longer-term plan is being made.
Long-term fostering – ongoing care for a child who cannot return to their birth family.
Emergency fostering – immediate care when a child needs a safe place at short notice.
Ongoing short breaks – planned, regular breaks (such as one weekend a month or a Saturday every other week) often for children with additional needs, giving their families vital breathing space to continue providing care.
Respite care – short-term cover when a foster carer or family is temporarily unavailable, such as during holidays or hospital stays. Unlike ongoing short breaks, respite is usually one-off or occasional.
Specialist fostering – for children with additional needs such as disabilities, mental health challenges, or complex behaviours. This also includes Parent and Child fostering, where carers support a young parent and their baby together in the same placement.
At Progress, we support carers to find the type of fostering that suits their life, home, and experience. You are never alone on the journey.
Who can foster?
Foster carers come from all walks of life. You do not need to be married, own your home, or have children of your own. What matters most is that you have a spare bedroom and a genuine desire to make a difference in a child’s life.
Whether you are working, retired, single, or in a couple, fostering could be an option. And even if you do not have experience with children, we can offer training and support to help you build your confidence and skills.
Why fostering matters
For the children and young people who need it, fostering can be life-changing. It offers safety, hope, and a fresh start. For foster carers, it is a chance to be part of something meaningful and to play a role in a child’s journey forward.
If you have ever thought about fostering, even just once, we would love to speak with you. No pressure and no commitment — just a friendly conversation with someone who understands what fostering really means.
One of the most common concerns people have when thinking about fostering is how it fits around work. Many people ask, “Can I foster and still keep my full-time job?” The answer is yes, it is possible, but it depends on a few key factors.
It depends on the type of fostering
Firstly, inquire whether to consider whether your employer is a ‘Fostering Friendly’ organisation. Progress is a Fostering Friendly organisation.
Fostering is not one-size-fits-all. Some placements require more time and flexibility than others. For example:
Short breaks or respite care can be more flexible and may fit around a working pattern, especially if the care is offered at weekends or during school holidays.
Short-term or long-term fostering often involves school runs, meetings with professionals, and being available when children are unwell or have appointments. This can be difficult to manage alongside a full-time job without flexibility or support.
Specialist fostering, such as caring for a child with additional needs, usually requires at least one carer to be available full-time.
If you work full-time but are considering fostering, it is important to think about whether you can adjust your working hours, work remotely, or share responsibilities with a partner.
What if I work part-time or shifts?
Many people who foster work part-time or have jobs with flexible hours. Some foster carers work evenings or weekends, or have self-employed roles that allow them to set their own schedule. Others share caring responsibilities with a partner, so between them they can meet the child’s needs.
If you work shifts, we would need to look at your availability and whether you would be able to attend key meetings, respond to emergencies, and offer the level of care the child needs.
At Progress, we talk this through with every applicant and help you explore the types of fostering that would suit your lifestyle.
What support is available?
Fostering is a big commitment, especially if you are juggling other responsibilities. That is why Progress offers a strong package of support, including:
A dedicated social worker to support and supervise your practice
Training that fits around your availability
24/7 out-of-hours support
Up to 21 nights of respite care per year
We provide access to cashbacks and benefits through the Westfields Health and Rewards
Access to Progress services to support your placement
You are never alone, and we will work with you to make sure fostering fits into your life in a way that is manageable and rewarding.
What if I want to reduce my hours later?
Some people start fostering while working full-time and gradually reduce their hours as they settle into their new role. Others use the income from fostering, along with support from Progress, to make a long-term career change.
Remember, foster carers are self-employed, and payments vary depending on the type of placement and the needs of the child. Specialist care usually comes with a higher level of support and financial reward.
Final thoughts
You can foster and work full-time, but it is important to be realistic about your time and energy. The needs of the child come first, and every placement is different. If you are thinking about fostering, the best place to start is with an open conversation.
At Progress, we will help you look at your current work and life situation and advise you on the best path forward. You do not have to have all the answers — that is what we are here for. Call us today on 01902 561066 or visit progresscare.co.uk/fostering to start your fostering journey.
