Vision Mission and Values
To make a difference to children, young people and families that lasts a lifetime
“Our Vision, Mission and Values have been created after careful consultation with our children and young people, foster parents and staff across FCA and FCA Scotland and now as one community, we have a duty to ensure that we pledge to put these at the very heart of everything we do so that we live and breathe them every day.” John Platt Managing Director, FCA and FCAS
“Every child is one caring adult away from being a success story.” Trevor, Foster Parent
Vision
(what we aim to achieve)
To make a difference to children, young people and families that lasts a lifetime
Mission
(purpose and what we do to achieve it)
Our mission is to provide safe and happy lives for the children who come to live with us
For children and young people We aspire to help our children reach their full potential
“We want to always listen to dreams, ambitions and aspirations and make sure children and young people get to fulfil them all – and this is whilst keeping them all happy and safe.” Denise Lewis – Supervising Social Worker
“Ryan* maintained his desire to become an architect and go to university right from the moment he was in our care. With our conversations at PEP meetings, reviews over family meals and other in-depth discussions, we ensured he felt supported to follow this dream.” Kerry, Foster Parent
*The name of the foster child has been changed to protect their identity
We respect and promote a child’s racial, cultural and religious background and consider their gender and sexuality when finding the right family for them “I like being fostered through FCA, they have fun activities and they have picked a good foster family for me, I feel like I came into care like a caterpillar and I have now grown into a butterfly.” Young Person
“For me, overcoming a language barrier was the first step to achieving my goal. Thanks to the support from my foster carer and FCA, I managed to achieve the grades I needed and followed my dream to university.” Care leaver, Criminology and law student
We understand the importance of stability for our children and want them to have a sense of belonging within their foster family, birth family and community
“We have a long-standing commitment to providing loving, caring and supportive foster families to children and young people through their childhood and into their adult lives.” Amanda Lindsay, Registered Manager
“They are amazing people and have helped me understand the world more.” Foster Child, FCA
We strive to ensure our children are ready and equipped for the next stage of their lives. We want our children to have the ability to be independent in their thoughts and actions and make positive contributions to society as adults
“My Foster Parent provided me with everything I needed for university. She helped me with my education and made me believe in myself. Because I was in care, it didn’t make a difference- I had the same opportunities as everyone else.” Paislie, FCA Care Leaver
For foster parents We take the time to understand trauma and harm and adjust our care accordingly
“Every child or young person comes with their own unique background and trauma and each child or young person will process and express this in many different ways whether it is emotional or behavioural. Staying alongside them through great days, fun days, good days, bad days, hard days just being there with them will have a huge impact in the long run.” Lauren, Foster Parent
We recruit, assess and train foster families in such a way that equips their journey to ensuring children are safe and happy “Our ambition is that all our children and young people are cared for by foster parents who give them confidence and provide them with the opportunity to become the best version of themselves” Sarah Ayling, Head of Referrals
“I have been very lucky with the support I have had from FCA over the years. I have very good professional support from my supervising social worker. I know other staff will do anything they can to support not only me but my children. Support from other foster carers is always encouraged and I like to support other foster carers too. I am FCA through and through, and feel part of a family which I really liked.” Anne, Foster Parent
We listen and empower our foster families. Through consultation, support and learning they are equipped to meet the individual needs of children “FCA was different from the
others – they felt caring and focused on the children. They made it clear that the child was at the centre of what they do, and supporting their carers was also of paramount importance, which is vital to achieving success.” Jo & Lisa, Foster Parents
“Going to local support groups gives a much better understanding and support from other more experienced foster parents who can pass on great advice. Reaching out to your supervising social worker when needed as they will always be there to listen and can give advise when you may not be sure what to do.” Sharon, Foster Parent
For all We are proactive in promoting equality and tackling all forms of racism and prejudice in order to help achieve a better society for our children and families to thrive
“Right from the very start, it has felt like we’ve had this big warm blanket around us. There is always someone to answer all our questions and queries and you’re always made to feel you’re part of one big family. We’ve never felt judged or what we had to say as unimportant.” Paul & Riccardo, Foster Parents
We promote a learning culture wherein staff and foster parents build and maintain expertise in the field of children and fostering and work collaboratively with our professional partners
“It’s so important to have up-todate knowledge and information to be able to provide our children with the best possible care. From weekly phone calls with our supervising social worker to monthly home visits, there’s a wide range of services that we have used and experienced to provide the highest standard of care.” Jade, Foster Parent
We are compassionate and discreet in our approach to working with children and their families “I’ve received so much support over the years. Whether it be the training sessions, the FCA therapist or out of hour’s support with someone always on the other end of the phone to confide in, the support has been endless.” Angie, Foster Parent
“Keeping children safe and happy is at the heart of what FCA do. As a SSW my responsibility is to support foster carers and to visit children and young people regularly to gather their wishes and feelings and make sure their voices are heard.” Katie Edgar – Senior Supervising Social Worker
“By giving them a stable home, a stable environment, we’re helping to change history in that child’s life.” Mandy, Foster Parent
Values
(core principles and ethics)
“Safe and Happy” is the core of our being
“Our STARS programme was developed and designed alongside our fabulous foster parents. It provides them with encouragement and makes them feel valued and part of the driving force behind FCA’s Mission and Values.” Alison Woolhouse, Head of FCA Carer Retention
“After a couple of years, I remember seeing the look in her eyes that said she felt safe and it’s those positive moments we have to hold on to.” Colin, Foster Parent
• An intelligent, compassionate, creative, loyal, and adaptable approach to the delivery of fostering • Security, safety and autonomy for our children, fostering families and staff • Treating families and colleagues with respect, honesty, kindness and care with appropriate challenge where needed • Leadership that models the vision, mission and values and behaviours to which we aspire