Meet the team

 

Hello, I’m Tracey Chapman, Head of Fostering at Stoke-on-Trent City Council.

" Foster carers change lives every day. Their commitment, compassion and dedication help children feel safe, valued and hopeful about their future” 

I am a qualified social worker and have worked with children and families for more than 17 years. Throughout my career, I have worked across safeguarding, fostering, adoption and Children in Care services, supporting some of the most vulnerable children and young people in our community. Over the last two years, I have had the privilege of leading both fostering and adoption services, and I am now proud to focus solely on fostering as Head of Service.

One thing I have learned throughout my career is that every child deserves to feel safe, loved and supported. While many children can remain with their birth families, some need the care and support of a foster family to help them through difficult times and to give them the stability they need to thrive.

Fostering is one of the most important and rewarding roles anyone can undertake. Foster carers provide much more than a home. They provide guidance, encouragement, understanding and a sense of belonging. They help children build confidence, succeed in education, develop positive relationships and believe in themselves and their future.

I am incredibly proud to lead our dedicated fostering service. Our team includes two assessment teams, who work with prospective foster carers through their application, assessment and approval journey, and three support teams, who provide ongoing guidance, training and support once carers are approved. We are also supported by our Engagement Officer, Marie Plant, who works hard to raise awareness of fostering across Stoke-on-Trent and help people learn more about becoming a foster carer.

One of the things I love most about fostering is that there is no single type of foster carer. Foster carers come from all walks of life and bring different experiences, strengths and skills. What they have in common is a commitment to making a positive difference to a child's life.

We are always looking for more local people to consider fostering. When children can stay close to their schools, friends, family members and communities, it helps them maintain important relationships and provides greater stability during what can often be a challenging period in their lives. Local foster carers play a vital role in making this possible.

Every day, I see the difference our foster carers make. Their compassion, commitment and dedication help children feel safe, valued and able to achieve their potential. They provide life-changing support and create opportunities for children to build happy, successful futures.

If you have ever thought about fostering, I would encourage you to get in touch and find out more. You may have more to offer than you realise, and the impact you could have on a child's life can last a lifetime.