What we can achieve by working together

As Toni celebrates her 18th birthday, she reflects on her journey through foster care. This is a heartfelt story of resilience, trust and the life-changing support she found at Progress: Gemma (a team member at Progress Fostering Service) has been very helpful and helped me so much since I’ve been in foster care. She has...

On a recent weekday morning, Carla, the therapeutic development officer at the Ofsted-outstanding Progress Fostering Service, posed the question that frames every support session she runs: Who is this child beyond the label? “Every child is completely individual, regardless of their background and needs,” she regularly tells foster carers when they gather during one of...

At a corner in the Progress Head Office that provides a typical living room setup, Ms. Gill rehearses the ritual that has shaped her days for a quarter‑century with her supportive husband beside her. “Soon as they come in from school, everyone sits,” she says, tapping the surface. “One and a half hours of study...

Foster Care Fortnight 2025 invites us to celebrate The Power of Relationships, those everyday bonds that help children in care feel safe, seen and supported. For Progress foster carer Tom, relationship‑building starts with a games controller as often as it does with a cup of tea. Tom grew up in care himself. After a stint...

Progress Fostering Service is proud to celebrate Foster Care Fortnight 2025, the UK’s largest campaign to raise the profile of fostering, which runs from 12 to 25 May under the national theme “The Power of Relationships.” The annual initiative, led by charity The Fostering Network, highlights how strong, nurturing connections transform the lives of children...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Fostering isn’t merely about providing a roof over a child’s head. It’s about creating a nurturing, loving environment where a child can grow, heal, and thrive. For Sally Tinkler, fostering is a journey of love, patience, and resilience—one that has profoundly shaped her life and that of her family.  Sally and her husband are foster...