Nexus Fostering: “Fostering Is Not A Numbers Game”

Rated Outstanding by Ofsted for the third consecutive year, Nexus Fostering is a well-established fostering agency that was set up and run by the same social workers who are deeply committed to exceptionally high-quality placements leading to the best possible outcomes for children and young people.

Since they were established in 2002, Nexus Fostering has grown to cover a large area across England and now have ten offices spread across the Nexus Fostering region. 

The team at Nexus Fostering provides a full range of fostering placements which include: respite, short-term, long-term, and more specialist placements, for example, parent and child and therapeutic fostering. Each young person they are asked to find foster carers for is unique and has individual needs, so they match carefully with their foster carers to ensure long-term stability for the foster child.

Hayley Attew, a Carer Engagement Officer at Nexus Fostering, said: “When Nexus Fostering started, we had one simple aim in mind: to provide high-quality foster placements to children and young people who needed them.” 

The Director of Nexus Fostering, Grace, has been a social worker in fostering since 1983 and felt passionately about creating a successful fostering placement which would provide an excellent opportunity for children and young people to develop their full potential. 

Two like-minded colleagues joined her from the agency with the intention of focusing on services that support carers to do well for the children and young people placed with them. They each did everything and anything to make those early placements work.

Haley said: “Since then, Nexus Fostering has grown from strength to strength. We continue to develop our services with our original vision in mind and we are proud of the record of success that Nexus Fostering has established.”

With Nexus Fostering, you will receive regular visits, phone calls, email, and text contact with your dedicated supervising social worker. The local team will provide you with a responsive 24/7 support line, 365 days a year and all have plenty of experience in the field. 

Hayley explained: “For us, fostering is not a numbers game, it is about placing the right young person with the right family. Support for foster carers is vitally important so we invest heavily in this area to ensure that you have the tools you need to succeed in your role. 

“Most importantly, you will never be on your own when you foster with us. To be able to support a child through a difficult time and give them a friendly, stable home is so important and could have a lasting, positive effect on that child.”

As with every business at the moment, the pandemic has obviously hit Nexus Fostering hard. Whilst their physical offices are closed for now, they are still answering any inquiries sent their way. 

Hayley said: “The COVID-19 outbreak has affected almost every aspect of our daily lives and, whilst we were in lockdown or self-isolation, there were still thousands of vulnerable young people coming into care, in need of a safe and nurturing home. 

“We may have family and friends who are always there to support us in these difficult times but there are many young people in Norfolk who are in need of a similar support system. The fear and uncertainty these young people normally feel is maximised in such grave situations. Having the emotional support of an adult to help them overcome these problems is vital for their development.”

Nexus Fostering is prepared for every eventuality and is continuing to provide top-level training and support to existing and potential foster carers. If you are interested in fostering, you can contact the team at https://www.nexusfostering.co.uk/make-an-enquiry/, on 0800 389 0143 or send an email at info@nexusfostering.co.uk.