'Outstanding' fostering organisation expands into Oldham

Flourish Fostering, an Ofsted Outstanding therapeutic fostering service, is expanding its care provision to Oldham following success in other regions of the UK. 

The service initially launched in Kent three years ago and will now help some of the most vulnerable children in the north of England.

Recent statistics show that out of the 80,000 looked-after children in the UK, more than 30,000 of them are located in the areas that Flourish Fostering are expanding to.

The organisation helps match children and young people who have been significantly harmed from traumatic experiences with loving, safe homes and is actively recruiting foster parents throughout the north of England.

The team at Flourish Fostering states that its innovation-rich approach to supporting foster parents lies in being a big enough entity to provide multi-service support while being small enough to have a hands-on approach and learn about the foster families intimately.

Kath Hamblett is the new registered manager for the independent organisation’s new service.

Kath has been a foster parent, is a qualified teacher and social worker and has experience working in residential care settings.

She said: “I am really looking forward to expanding this service and finding the best foster parents that the North of England has to offer.

"We are a small team with some big experience, and our way of fostering children - where we support vulnerable children, and provide in-depth training - matched with our expertise is going to do a lot of good.”

Mark Taylor is a third generation foster parent and the operations manager for the northern service.

He has experience in private and public sector fostering and strong connections with local authorities in the area.

He said: “I am privileged to be joining Flourish Fostering North at the start of its journey, knowing that the team’s philosophy and values strongly resonate with my own. 

“It is an added bonus that I am able to work alongside Kath, who I have known, and worked alongside for over 30 years.

"We can’t wait to meet more foster parents throughout the north of the UK.”

The organisation supports foster parents to achieve qualifications for their new career looking after children, or if they are experienced foster parents wanting to expand their knowledge, with the opportunity to earn qualifications. 

If you would like more information about becoming a foster parent with Flourish Fostering, please click here

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