Who we are

Having recently joined Excel Fostering (part of Capstone Foster Care Group), I’m really excited about working with the experienced teams we have in the North to make a genuine difference to children and young people’s lives.

I’ve worked in the social care sector for many years and my passion lies in providing fulfilment to some of the most vulnerable people in society.

We provide the highest quality training and ongoing support to our foster carers to ensure the best possible outcomes for children and young people.

The most satisfying part of my role is knowing our foster carers and staff continually go that extra mile to help children overcome challenges and become confident young adults ready to take on the world.

Outside of work, my wife and I have two daughters, who have me wrapped around their little fingers.

I started my career in 1981 having trained as a teacher and became a social worker initially by accident. I have worked in the local authority for 34 years before joining the agency working briefly with the elderly but predominantly with children and families in various districts of Lancashire. 

I’ve been a frontline social worker for children in need, on child protection plans and for those who are looked after. I’ve also been a supervising social worker before managing both services and then becoming a senior manager. 

I planned to retire when I left the local authority but missed the pleasure and excitement of working with children and families. I feel fortunate to be able to work with an agency that really wants to support carers and help children achieve their aspirations. So here I am still feeling every day is a school day, full of exciting things to learn and wonderful people to meet.

I qualified as a social worker in 2000 and since then my passion has always been in foster care.

My role is to ensure the service we offer our foster carers and children, helps them build the brightest of futures. I remain humbled by the amazing standards of care our foster carers offer children and young people.

The impact that a secure base and a professional team supporting a child can achieve demonstrates the positive impact that good quality care can offer. More recently, the launch of our therapeutic service has enabled us to support our carers as they help some of the most traumatised children.

In my spare time, I have applied the theory of natural horsemanship into my passion for supporting horses with difficulties and have had much success with rehabilitating horses deemed dangerous or damaged.

As an Art Psychotherapist my journey working within the fostering sector began in 2009. Since then, my passion for working alongside children and fostering families has only grown. I feel privileged to support children and young people who have experienced trauma and adverse experiences.  I am humbled by the resilience our foster carers show in helping children develop a sense of belonging and safety. It is an honour to be able to support them alongside our social work teams and Clinicians to create longer term stability for children and young people.

My role is to ensure that our MATS (Multi-disciplinary Assessment and Treatment Service) continues to provide  adaptive, responsive and flexible therapeutic input across all the regions in the Capstone Foster Care Group, with the children and fostering families at the centre of it all.

Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my family, playing out in training, triathlons and fell running.

I have worked in the fostering sector for many years now, and one of the most challenging and rewarding parts of my role is recruiting new foster carers. There are an estimated 8,000 new foster carers needed to help support children in care.

Foster carers come from all walks of life and I am responsible for ensuring that we provide guidance to anyone who is considering fostering – from the minute they get in touch with us right through to attending panel. I ensure we deliver a service that is supportive, open and transparent.

I have a passion for football and most other sports, as well as spending time with my beautiful young daughters.