Hello, I’m one of the directors at Soundly Fostering and also, the Responsible Individual. I am passionate about fostering and believe that all children should have the opportunity to thrive and go on to lead fulfilling lives, including those who are fostered. When living in a well-matched fostering home with supportive and tuned in carers, this helps create an opportunity for that to happen.

I was part of a family that fostered when I was younger, so can identify what it feels like to part of a fostering household. I have also been working as a social worker for over 30 years, spending the last 15 years in the fostering sector. I think it’s fair to say that my childhood influenced my choice of career and the direction it took. I love my job, I thoroughly enjoy working with fostering families and am often amazed by the level of commitment and sacrifices they make. I’m so excited about the future of Soundly Fostering and what we can create together. Before Soundly Fostering, I had become disillusioned and felt that working in a fostering agency that was part of a large group wasn’t for me. So, the idea of Soundly Fostering was born with my then colleague and now codirector, Kat. I knew I wanted to create an agency that felt intimate, supportive, and inclusive, as I believe that foster carers need to be recognised as individuals and the agency around them needs to be flexible, in order to meet their needs. I want foster carers to be heard and be part of our growth.

Hello, I’m one of the directors at Soundly Fostering and also, the manager. Please call me Kat and feel free to contact me at any time, whether it is to chat, for support, or to share more serious aspects of our work and find a way through together.

In order for us at Soundly Fostering to support you in the best way we can, I would like to get to know you! To start this connection, it feels only right, for me to tell you a little about myself as well.

I came to England from Germany when I was 3 years old and lived in different temporary accommodations until we found a home in St Albans. Of course, I always got the train to London at the weekends when I was a teenager, as that felt much more exciting and interesting.

Hello, I am Soundly Fostering’s Agency Decision Maker.

This means that I consider all the reports about prospective foster families presented to panel, along with the panel minutes, and decide if a family should foster or not. I also review the approval of all Soundly foster carers each year to ensure they continue to be suitable to foster.

I enjoy playing a part in the quality assurance process, ensuring the agency maintains its high standards by giving feedback about the agency’s reports, the effectiveness of panel and completing the appraisal of the Panel Chair.

I have been qualified as a social worker for nearly 30 years and for most of that time I have been working with foster carers.

It has been a pleasure to follow the journey of prospective foster families from their initial enquiry, through to having many years of experience, and in turn, a privilege to be part of the team that enables children to flourish and thrive.

Hello, I am the Administrator & Child Participation Co-ordinator for Soundly Fostering.

My name is Åsa (pronounced orsa) which is a Norwegian name.

I have a pet house rabbit called Artemis.

I love helping and supporting people and I have always been lucky to have worked in a capacity where I have been able to do this. It has allowed me to develop strong working relationships with people from many different backgrounds.

I am an experienced administrator and have previously worked with another fostering agency.

As part of the Soundly team, I will be making sure that everything runs smoothly in the Agency and organising events to engage young people, carers and birth children.

I am passionate about promoting equality, opportunity and good outcomes, by giving young people a voice and valuing their input, so will definitely be asking about and encouraging any ideas for things that we can do together.

It is exciting to think about all the possibilities and opportunities the future holds.

I am looking forward to helping and supporting you.