Unlike large fostering agencies, charities focus on building genuine relationships. For us, it’s not about filling beds; it’s about finding the right match. You’ll get to know the team supporting you, and they’ll get to know you. This personal approach ensures you feel valued and supported, not just another number in a system.
Charities understand that fostering is a journey. From your initial enquiry to your first placement and beyond, our support is constant and personalised. Training is designed around your needs. Advice is practical and compassionate. And when challenges arise, we’re by your side with real solutions, not corporate scripts.
As a charity, our mission is driven by outcomes, not income. Every decision we make is guided by what’s best for young people and our carers. This values-led approach means you can trust that your fostering journey is centred on care, not commercial targets.
Private fostering agencies often operate on a commercial model, where profits can influence placement decisions. In contrast, Step by Step [AB1] reinvests every penny into support services, training, and resources for carers and young people. It’s a partnership, not a transaction.
Charities are accountable to their communities, and board of volunteer trustees, not shareholders. This ensures greater transparency, ethical practices, and a clear focus on what truly matters – providing safe, nurturing homes for vulnerable young people.
We are deeply rooted in the communities we serve across Hampshire, Surrey, Wiltshire, West Sussex, Berkshire, and Dorset. This local focus means you’re supported by a team who understands your area, your challenges, and your potential.
At Step by Step, every pound you help generate through fostering goes straight back into supporting young people and carers. Unlike private agencies, we are not driven by profits for shareholders. Instead, we reinvest our resources into enhanced training, personalised support, and innovative programmes that directly benefit the young people in your care. When you foster with us, you are part of a charity where your commitment creates a wider circle of care and impact.
Our Be the Hero ethos celebrates both carers and young people as everyday heroes. By opening your home, you become a pivotal figure in a young person’s journey to independence. But it’s not just about giving; it’s about empowering young people to take charge of their future, with you by their side as a mentor and ally. Together, you are heroes writing a new chapter. With Step by Step, fostering becomes a shared mission to end youth homelessness.
If you’re considering fostering, our comprehensive Fostering Guide is the perfect starting point. It covers everything you need to know, from the application process to the support you’ll receive.
If you have any other questions, feel free to contact our friendly fostering team here:
You can also find more information here.
Step by Step’s Supported Lodgings has become the first service of its kind to achieve Ofsted accreditation. We are now the largest Supported Lodgings provider in the UK, as well as being considered the authority in the field.
