Permanent foster family profiles

If you would like an approved family you are working with to be featured, please call the team on 020 7421 2666 or email us. The cost is £25 for up to a year.

Please see our general guidelines for more information and advice on what to include in your profile. You can submit as many photos as you like, as well as a video clip, at no extra cost.

You can also look through our profiles of approved families waiting to be matched for adoption.

London

Teresa and Andrew are experienced parents who live in south London with their youngest son Zachary, aged 14. The family offers a nurturing, supportive and stimulating environment, with plenty of opportunities for a young person to develop new interests, and expand their existing hobbies. Teresa and Andrew have a particular interest in caring for a young person needing a long-term placement into adulthood and beyond, and are happy to consider young people with learning disabilities or a moderate physical disability. They are a sociable family with a wide and varied social network.

South-west England

Chris and Sue are a couple with three grown-up children. They are qualified teachers with nearly 40 years’ experience between them, with most of that time spent in challenging secondary schools. Both are now home based and live in a large 5/6 bedroom house with a big garden in a quiet rural area two miles from a thriving seaside town on the South coast near to beaches, parks, a theatre/cinema, sports clubs, youth clubs and schools. There are regular events throughout the year including fun runs, folk and blues festivals and an annual carnival. Sue and Chris are approved for long-term fostering for three or more children.

South-east England

Mima is an experienced single female carer, originally from Bosnia, who lives in a four-bedroom house near to local amenities and activities. She lives with her 16-year-old daughter, Hannah who has just started at the local sixth form. Mima has 16 years’ parenting experience and previously worked as an au pair to a family of mixed ethnicity. She is approved as a long-term foster carer for one female child or two female siblings of any European origin or mixed ethnicity, aged 6−11 years old, however Mima would look to adopt any child or children that she fosters in the future.

Karen and Jason are an active married couple who live in a five-bedroom home with their eight-year-old son Harvey. They have two spare bedrooms and a large garden, and the house is located in a country village near to the south coast. The family has a dog, four guinea pigs and five fish! Karen and Jason love the outdoors, including cycling, swimming, kayaking and coastal walks. Karen works from home running her own business as a seamstress, which means she can chose her hours of work and would be able to manage her time around the child or children’s needs. Jason is employed full time, managing health and safety and facilities for social housing. They are approved as foster carers for three children of either gender, aged 2-18 years old.

Mary and Michael live in a large four-bedroom house set on a working farm, which is surrounded by picturesque countryside and farmland. As well as a herd of cows they also have a few sheep, which were hand reared by their foster children, a friendly farm dog, horses and a small pony. Mary and Michael have developed various strategies to manage challenging behaviours. They care passionately about providing the best opportunities for young people in their care and have demonstrated time and time again their ability to promote confidence, self-esteem and a high self worth. They feel they have a huge amount to offer and would welcome a short or long-term placement or placements.

Lee and Paul have been married for 23 years and live in a three/four bedroom detached house with a large garden with their two dogs and a cat. They have a healthy lifestyle, take regular exercise and particularly enjoy playing table tennis together. Lee and Paul like to walk their dogs and generally enjoy being in the outdoors, spending time in the garden and with their grandchildren. They enjoy being active members of their community and have good local knowledge. Lee and Paul are approved to foster three children and would consider a sibling group. They have a very inclusive approach to parenting and value all cultures.

Anna and Steve are a young couple who live with their two daughters Ashleigh and Emily, and their dog named Boz. The family lives in a three/four bedroom terraced home in a quiet street, close to a town and within easy reach of all the local amenities. Anna and Steve are very active, and enjoy socialising with family and friends, swimming and walking Boz around the surrounding countryside. They also like arts and craft, games and DIY. Anna and Steve are approved to foster one child (or two siblings able to share) of either gender, aged 0-12 years old. The family has a good sense of humour and use this often to diffuse conflict and minimise stress. Anna and Steve are well integrated in their community and have good local knowledge. They can be described as being very resourceful, practical and organised, and are well supported by family and friends.

Justin and Jovitha live in a busy urban area of Essex, well served by all the usual community amenities. They have a wide experience of cultural diversity, and have lived in India, Abu Dhabi, Azerbaijan and London. They are of Indian origin but were born in Malaysia. Justin and Jovitha have two birth sons, Joshua aged 13 and Jonathon aged 11. They enjoy spending time visiting friends, going for picnics and visiting places of interest. The couple have demonstrated a capacity to be insightful and reflective in their attitude to parenting. The family are practising Christians but are flexible in their approach to their religion. Justin and Jovitha are approved as long-term, short-term, emergency or respite foster carers for one or two children (if they can share a room), male or female, aged 3−18 years old.

Central England

Julie and Jim have been married for 10 years and have recently been approved as foster carers. They live in a three-bedroom semi-detached house with their 12-year-old daughter in a quiet cul-de-sac in a residential area on the outskirts of Derby. Julie and Jim are a warm, welcoming and dedicated couple who are keen to offer a looked-after child a positive experience. The couple are open, approachable and dedicated to their fostering role. They are a very active family and enjoy going to the gym, leisure centre and walking.

Vivienne and Roy have been married for 13 years and live in a town in the West Midlands. Their home is very close to a local park, and many other local amenities, such as a zoo, a leisure centre with swimming pool, museums, large library and thriving town centre. They also live within easy reach of schools, doctor’s surgeries and hospitals. Vivienne and Roy enjoy football, computers and music. They have experience of caring for the children of many friends and relatives, although have no children of their own. Vivienne currently works in a shop but will be at home full time once a child is placed with them. Roy works as a shift labourer in a local factory and due to this he has free time in the day. They were approved in Summer 2011 as long-term foster carers for one child, or a sibling group of two of either gender, aged 0-18 years old.

Zenna and Allen live in a three-bedroom house, in a quiet residential area within easy reach of local amenities, including a large park. The couple has three grown-up children and three grandchildren. Zenna and Allan are very family focused, and have a close support network of family and friends. They own a holiday home in Turkey, which they visit every year. Zenna works as a special school assistant teacher with blind and partially sighted children. Allan is the owner manager of a small company, which provides packaging machinery to a wide range of industries. They are approved as long-term, short-term and short-break foster carers for up to three children of either gender, aged 3-12 years old.

Barbara and Peter live with their 15-year-old son, Nathan. They have a variety of pets, including dogs, a cat, chickens, sheep and owls. The family is very active; they enjoy spending time in their home, cooking and going on day trips. They have a strong support network. Barbara and Peter have previously been short break carers, which gained them valuable experience of caring for children with both physical and learning disabilities. Barbara and Peter are approved as short-term and permanent foster carers for one child aged four to ten years, of either gender, including children with learning and physical disabilities.

Northern England

Sandie is a single female carer who lives alone in a two bedroom terraced house in Lancashire, close to the village primary school and a reputable high school. She has two grown-up daughters. Sandie enjoys reading, jigsaws, swimming, sport, Sudoku, outdoor activities and nature. She is a fully qualified nursery nurse/teaching assistant with over 20 years’ experience and her knowledge of child development is excellent. Sandie’s experience includes working with children with ADHD, Autism, Asperger syndrome, Down’s syndrome, moderate learning difficulties and educational behavioural difficulties. She is approved as a long-term, short-term and respite foster carer for two children (siblings sharing) of either gender and has a particular interest in caring for a child needing a long-term placement. Sandie is happy to consider a child who has had negative family experiences and children with mild to moderate disabilities.

Neil and Sharon are a couple in their mid-forties who have no children of their own. They live in a four bedroom end-of-terrace house with at least two good-sized spare bedrooms and a back garden. Neil and Sharon enjoy entertaining their friends and family by cooking meals and making afternoon tea. They are approved to foster two siblings. They can be described as a secure family, demonstrating a great sense of insight and empathy with children who have experienced difficulties and now wish to offer their home and undivided attention to nurture such children.

Last updated: 09 May 12

Back to previous