EPIC Fostering - Ofsted Registered!
It was October 2024 when I made calls and had Teams meetings with various colleagues and management across various fostering services to declare my intention to submit an application to Ofsted to register EPIC Fostering. I was rather nervous, mostly because human nature is to jump to conclusions that I must up to something for pure personal benefit, though in actual fact, EPIC Fostering has never and isn’t intended to be all guns out competition to those services who already offer so much to their fostering families. It is about offering an alternative to those people that feel they have been beaten by broken and unnecessary systems, structures, senior leadership teams, or are simply ready for a change to reignite that passion for doing something extraordinary for children who are in the unfortunate position of being in care.
EPIC Fostering is proud to part of The EPIC Family CIC, in a nutshell this means we’re not-for-proft, and drive for an empathic and collaborative working approach. I wanted to create a fostering service whereby it’s most senior leader truly knows what it is like to foster in the here and now. I can truly say that I live it day in and day out, as we currently at the time of writing are fostering two siblings, as well as being the legal dads on a Special Guardianship Order to our dearest ‘nearly’ 5 year old and her 10 year old brother. I continue to be part of some fabulous Fostering Panels across the country for a Local Authority and some other Agencies for which I am a very active Vice Chair. I see amazing practice, and feel privileged to meet some of the most amazing people in my work.
I have often been asked about fostering, and have sign posted those people down a variety of avenues, even giving up immense amounts of free time to promote the Local Authority Fostering service and also other agencies to prospective fostering families. Not much seems to have come to fruition for various reasons, hence why I recognise there is most certainly a gap in the South West of England to offer something set on all the grounded morals and ways of working I mention above. Though there’s also a lot more to it, ensuring a suite of wrap around services in house - more on that another time too!
Navigating the Ofsted process has been tough. I didn't quite believe a lot of the stories I would hear about Ofsted, but now have a much better understanding of the frustrations. There’s more to be said about that in an upcoming podcast I have been invited to.
Anyway, EPIC Fostering is now officially registered. I was even sent the invoice from Ofsted just after midnight this morning! The work is only now about to really begin, where my team and I hope to make a further difference in the South West. Fostering is one of the hardest things you can commit you and your family to. It’s heavily regulated by a complex system, where decisions are made that often aren’t in your control and don’t make sense. However, this isn’t about winning a system, it’s about doing the most amazing thing for a child or children that really need you. That is first and foremost; we are here to create better outcomes for vulnerable children, at least that’s something I agree with Ofsted about!
If you have an interest in fostering, reach out DIRECTLY to ME! - dan@epicfamilycic.co.uk. I will explain what I know about the options available to you in the South West. This isn’t just about fostering for EPIC Fostering, it’s about ensuring you are well supported (we support ANYONE involved with a vulnerable child or young person!), therefore you will definitely hear me explain about talking to other services as well as our own as we may not be the right place for you from a fostering point of view either.
Dan Boxall-Simpson - Founder & CEO.