My name is Harry. I am a teenager with Autism. After suffering several losses within my close family, I could not understand and control my feelings, which led to my behaviours hurting those closest to me. I lacked confidence and did not like leaving the house. My home is where I feel comfortable and safe....

My name is Deana, and I am a residential manager for Progress. I have been working with children and young people in residential care for approximately 13 years.  I have seen a lot of young people come and go, but one young person will remain in my thoughts and heart for a long time.   I...

Progress was named winner of Outstanding Support During Covid-19 category at the 2020 Best Business Awards. We have been recognised for our approach to the nationwide lockdown caused by Covid-19 in March 2020. As lockdown came into force, Progress prioritised the care of those that relied on us for critical support. We assigned drivers, offering a ring-and-ride service...

Marie is a support worker at Progress’ children’s residential home, Henley Lodge in Coventry. What led her to apply and work for Progress? This is her story. I have been working for Progress since March 2020 – my first job in 15 years. “15 years?” you say? Let me take you back to the beginning of my...

Growing up in foster care is not easy for some children. Therefore, it becomes the responsibility of the carer to create an atmosphere for a child to feel loved. We asked Stephanie to share her experiences of fostering and tell us what it’s like to be in a new home. In your foster placement, what...

The lockdown has been challenging for all of us. With our daily routines changing – and likely to remain so for the foreseeable future – we are now living different lives. We spoke to two young people on their lockdown experiences, how they have coped and their hopes for the future. “I have felt I...

A supervising social worker supports and guides a foster carer in every aspect of their fostering experience. We spoke to Progress supervising social worker Tendai to get an insight on her role. It is my responsibility to develop a close working relationship with our pool of foster carers. On any given day, I can be...

The Support Worker at Nightingale House, on working in mental health, training, and why team work is important. I used to work for Derby Mental Health Trust as a health care assistant. My job was to support people who had different mental health issues. I learned very quickly that at the beginning of each shift,...

In a new series of interviews we have asked Progress foster carers why they foster care and how fostering changes lives. Helen has been caring for James and Perry with her husband, Henry. This is her story. When you have a child of your own, you realise what a positive influence they can have on...

Safeguarding children and young people means protecting them from any abuse, neglect, or exploitation. We want all foster children and young people to grow up as part of a loving family. It is, therefore, the Progress foster team’s responsibility to give children and young people (and their carers) access to the support they need to create...