Team of the Year, Children’s Services 2022 (including MDTs)

Motivated by their passion for making a positive difference to the lives of children and young people, mother and daughter team Amanda and Rachael Davies set up their independent fostering agency at the height of the pandemic in May 2020.  

The pair, who are both social workers with a combined 50 years of experience between them, have gone on to successfully recruit 19 fostering families and a stable team of social workers, family support workers, a business support administrator and a therapist.  

So far, Families First has provided therapeutic fostering placements to 34 children and has excelled at supporting siblings to remain together, with over 70% of children placed with a sibling. The majority of children have also been placed in long-term placements.  

At its first inspection earlier this year, the agency was praised by Ofsted for the stability of its placements and for exuding ‘a family feel’ where all staff, including Amanda and Rachael, know the foster carers and children well, with the service rated ‘good’ overall. 

Families First is clearly valued by foster carers, children and other professionals alike, with the testimonials submitted in support of their nomination describing a team that is always supportive, professional, child-centred and like ‘one big family’.  

Supported by Lambeth London Borough Council.