Foster Care Matters celebrates first Anniversary of supporting families across the North West

Local not-for-profit fostering agency, Foster Care Matters, is proudly celebrating its first anniversary.

Established on 1 May 2024 following successful Ofsted registration, the agency has spent the past year promoting and supporting fostering across Liverpool, the wider North West, and Stoke-on-Trent.

The team recently marked the milestone with a celebration at their Prepare to Foster Training Course, where they gathered to reflect on a year of significant achievements. Pictured at the event were Susy White, Chief Executive of Adoption Matters, alongside Deb Reid and Karen Palfreyman of Foster Care Matters.

Part of the long-established children’s charity Adoption Matters, Foster Care Matters recruits foster parents across the region and is committed to a therapeutic, child-centred approach. As one of the few not-for-profit fostering agencies in England, it reinvests directly into services to deliver high-quality support and continuous training for foster families.

Karen Palfreyman, Registered Manager at Foster Care Matters, reflected on the agency’s first year:

“It’s hard to believe it’s been a year since we began this amazing adventure. Since opening, we’ve had the privilege of helping so many people explore fostering, both online and in person. Each conversation moves us closer to our goal of creating brighter futures for children in need. From guidance to support and encouragement, our team is committed to making dreams of becoming foster parents a reality.”

Foster Care Matters specialises in providing stable and nurturing homes for children and young people aged 0–18 years. Its therapeutic approach is supported by access to the Centre for Fostering and Adoption Support, a recognised hub offering expertise from a multi-disciplinary team, including occupational therapists and trained therapeutic social workers.

Deb Reid, Recruitment and Family Matching Coordinator, also highlighted recent innovations introduced by the agency:

“This year, we launched the IE Hub, a fostering finance tracker designed to help applicants better understand their financial circumstances and access potential benefits throughout the fostering process. We’re proud to be the only fostering agency offering this tool. Our newsletter, Foster Care Matters Natters, has also gone from strength to strength, attracting more subscribers every week. The positive feedback from our families is incredibly rewarding, and we are delighted to have them on this journey with us.”

Reflecting on their progress, Karen Palfreyman added:

“As we look back on this remarkable first year, we are deeply grateful for the community that has supported us. Together, we are making a real difference in the lives of children and families. We are excited for the future and look forward to reaching new milestones and welcoming even more families into the Foster Care Matters community.”

Find more information about Foster Care Matters here.

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