We are a family-run independent fostering agency that provides a specialist fostering service to our Local Authorities. We find and train the highest calibre of foster carers and (along with our sister companies Ryancare for North & East London and Safehouses for Cambridgeshire, Essex and Norfolk) we carefully match them with children across Croydon, East London, Thames Valley and Kent .
Finding the best foster carer(s) and home(s) for our looked after children is at the heart of everything that we do. We want to give our young people stability and a more positive future and it is our dedicated foster carers that make the difference.
Can anyone foster?
What benefits will I receive?
We pride ourselves on the quality support we provide to our foster carers and the well being of the children under our care. We have our own team of highly qualified and experienced Foster Carers, Social Workers, Therapists, Trainers and support staff who work in partnership with the Local Authority to ensure that the needs of the children and our carers are met to the highest of standards.
We have a successful track record of providing high quality foster families to all our children; our foster carers are committed to providing young people with a safe, nurturing family; and we always go the extra mile to ensure that our carers receive the best training and support possible. As a result we are one of the most respected agencies in the sector and have a very strong reputation with OFSTED.
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october, 2018
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Read our recent news stories and find out what is happening.
On the day that saw the Prime Minister appoint Jackie Doyle-Price as the new Suicide Prevention Minister amid the first ever global mental health summit, the news is full of stories from celebrities about breaking down mental health stigmas and their own personal journeys.
As a Next Step Foster Carer you will receive complimentary membership to the Fostering Network where you can access a range of special member discounts – from money off holidays and insurance to discounted days out and mortgages.
Debbie Douglas is a foster carer and the Westminster Government’s fostering ambassador. Here she talks about the multiple roles a foster carer takes on – and how proud she is to say that she is a foster carer.
“Fostering is not for all people and definitely not for the faint hearted! But for me I can honestly not think of anything else in my life I’d rather be than a foster mum.
Next Step aims to provide a specific range of services to each and every child who is referred to us. Our matching process ensures that we consider all aspects of a child’s needs vigorously, so that we provide the right level of service.
Find out if you can fosterThese are just a few of the successes and positive outcomes that we are proud of. The names of the young people have been changed to ensure their anonymity.
view our success storiesDavid (6), Thomas (4) and Mia (3) entered foster care nearly 2 ½ years ago and earlier this year were placed with Wendy, a Next Step foster carer with considerable experience fostering sibling groups and children with particular health and behavioural needs. “When the children first arrived with me they were very wary of adults and new environments.
At 14, Sarah became homeless and was unable to attend school. Surviving on the streets completely eroded her self-esteem leading her to make a series of bad choices, before finding herself in foster care.