National Union of Professional Foster Carers Arvostelua 

The National Union of Professional Foster Carers (NUPFC) has been a transformative force for us, providing an independent voice, advice, and support untethered from local authorities and agency fostering services. This independence ensures that they can advocate effectively for our wellbeing, safeguarding, and rights without bias or external influence. Their work has been crucial in ensuring fair treatment and protection for us. As Foster Parents we take on a uniquely challenging yet deeply rewarding role. We wholeheartedly recommend the NUPFC to anyone involved in or considering fostering. Their dedication ensures that we and the children in our care receive the support and protection we all deserve.

From a long term foster carer, these guys are superb. If you feel let down and or intimidated by your agency and or local authority, don't feel you are on your own. This union will stand by your side, and stick up for your rights. We desperately required union intervention, now we have it, don't hesitate to join. Together we are stronger.

I joined NUPFC because they are a truly independent union that supports and represents foster carers I didn’t understand how vulnerable foster carers are especially if an allegation is made I have read some truly awful stories about how devastating and upsetting this can be The NUPFC have a legal team and have qualified foster carers who understand the difficulties we can face I have advised all foster carers that I know to join so they are protected I have not used them for any advice but they are there if I need to in the future

I had a ‘sniff’ of an allegation. The teenager had made it, the local authority I am with works with fostering network. I hadn’t joined NUPFC too much before this event. I went straight to them and explained what had been said and I have to say I felt reassured and felt safe with what was being talked to me about. My SW was surprised that I had turned down assistance from fostering network. I was so grateful at the speed at which they contacted the LA, and I’d even received a couple of ‘how are you doing calls. I have never felt so safe in someone’s hands. This is an A1* company and well worth the small monthly payment for feeling safe with someone who knows what it’s like to be a foster carer and what goes with it. You can find training, advice and all sorts. Join as soon as you can. It’s worth it 👍

We needed NUPFC so badly and now we have them! Huge thank you to them for helping me with a problem and for making me feel more supported and valued. One of the biggest problems of fostering can often be a feeling of isolation. We are stronger and better with them beside us.

As foster carers we reached out to NUPFC when we were having difficulties around our foster children with the local authority deciding to move the children to another placement, the nupfc gave us lots of advice and took action to reverse the local authorities decision,
As a result the children were allowed to stay with us until 18yrs old,
As they had been in placement with me and my husband for 12yrs, it was a relief for us and the children who are now teenagers.
We are so grateful for the NUFC s intervention.

Only recently discovered their existence and joined them. Process was nice and easy and had chance to discuss their current work and ambitions for the future of the service with a rep. Found the rep very well informed and knowledgeable and that added to sense of a professional environment.
For the peace of mind its a bargain in terms of subs.

I am so glad that I joined NUPFC and wish I had done so sooner. I would recommend it to all foster carers. They always get in touch incredibly quickly. Chris provided excellent advice as well as 'getting' the situation and underlying issues immediately. He was supportive and encouraging, which we really needed. He attended Panel with us, which made a huge difference in all sorts of ways, and has given me additional practical advice. It doesn't necessarily need to be a 'huge' issue either - realistic, practical advice based on in-depth knowledge and wide experience has been invaluable to us and I won't hesitate to check in with NUPFC if I need advice again.

We genuinely wished that we had been members of the NUPFC sooner after having false allegations made against us by the LA SW, she removed a sibling placement of 7 years but of course waited until after Christmas and then provided the children with no transition whatsoever.
The LA was abysmal and we have identified many systematic failings of which have now been passed on to the LGSCO for investigation.
However, we can confidently say that this would never had gone this far if we had of been members of the NUPFC at the time.
It is in effect an insurance policy that all Foster Carers should have.
Robin is always available for any question/concern that we may have and this in turn ensures that the children that we support have continuity moving forwards and secures the longevity of the placement. It genuinely is a no brainer, thank you for your ongoing support!

My partner and I foster three children, two who have special needs, and we also raise our own two children, both also with special needs. Despite glowing annual reviews from both our fostering agency and local authority social workers every year, as well as being supposedly "sought after" carers, we knew fostering could potentially place us in a vulnerable position as there are no mechanisms in place for protecting foster carers when allegations are made; you hear the stories, but until it happens to you, it's hard to quantify.

After listening to a representative from NUPFC on LBC radio, we signed up that very day, hoping we'd never need their support, but taking comfort in the fact we had a bit of a safety net for a very reasonable monthly fee.

About a year later, we found ourselves in a situation where (false) allegations were made against us from a previous looked after child. It was an awful and stressful experience, and we realised how truly vulnerable we were, how do you prove something didn't happen?! It was very much a situation of "guilty until proven innocent" from the Local Authority, and the process is not transparent or in anyway fair toward the carers. We were relieved to have extremely detailed recordings (daily records) which we could provide, and fortunately, our fostering agency was extremely supportive (this is rare) and was happy to work with the NUPFC to defend our position. After a call to NUPFC. We had numerous support calls and a legal team liaising with the Local Authority and representing us at the meetings. Our representative from NUPFC really knew his stuff, understood processes, and navigated us through the process. It really did lessen the stress for us. It became very clear, very quickly, how dishonest, incompetent and/or underhanded the Local Authority can be, especially when facing an overzealous and rather feisty LA SW that "steps in" and arguably has their own agenda, and will do almost anything to get their way.

After a long meeting, the allegations were dropped and we were cleared of any wrongdoing, but we're not certain the outcome would have been the same without NUPFC's excellent support and intervention.

Being members of the NUPFC has given us more confidence to continue our fostering journey and advocate for the children entrusted into our care. If you are a Foster Carer, do not hesitate! You need this service!

Have asked for advice twice once was for an allegation. The advice received was the day after being told about the allegation. It made life so much easier and took the stress out of the allegation knowing you had support at the end of the telephone. Robin always gets back to you very quickly. For the £10 a month for the first person joining and then £4 per month for other persons in the house it is money well spent.

We received outstanding & unwavering support from Robin & Sandra throughout our recent Standards of Care investigation. The LA tried to suggest that NUPFC could not represent us, Robin quickly & politely informed the LA differently. Sandra was our amazingly calm & reassuring representative throughout the whole investigation, which resulted in a not only positive outcome but also an apology from the head of service.
We cannot Thank & Recommend NUPFC enough, They are truly amazing, lifesavers when you need them the most.

So glad I joined. Excellent direct support with a problem I had recently which is ongoing. Opened my eyes too as to the difficulties for other foster carers across the country. Not just me. The subs are great value for money knowing that they will have your back 100%.

I found NUPFC on Google search, I am proud today this a membership I will never regret signing up. I would shout in a very loud voice if you are a foster carer? What can you loose? Here you get professional support.

I have made contact twice and I was supported and directed in the right path way. If it have not been for NUPFC may career as a new foster carer would have been stained with incorrect information from my agency .
Please if you have never had issues with your company, you can still get clarity on things you may not be clear with with the laws around fostering .

I am happy I JOINED.

I honestly can’t recommend these highly enough! Just knowing there’s someone in your corner who knows the job inside out is so reassuring when things go wrong.

Without NUPFC i would have probably just handed my notice in, they gave me the strength to continue, they supported me when my LA didn’t, they fought with me to ensure the LA listened and did the right thing.
Thank you Chris! Me and my family are very grateful for you and the NUPFC

The NUPFC have been invaluable, supporting us to counter the false claims made by our agency. Without them, we would not have been able to find the information needed to fight our case. It should be mandatory that all foster carers are made aware of the NUPFC, and I would strongly encourage everyone to join them, for the extremely modest fee. Worth every penny!

I had to call on the NUPFC when my LA breached their agreement. Within a few days Robin had contacted director of social care, and I have managed to secure a meeting with them. Without Robin I wouldn’t have been able to achieve this. You cannot foster without being a member. As a foster carer you need the protection and back up of the union. Thank you for all your help!!