Vision & Values

Our history

In 1945, our founder Paul Field had a vision. He wanted all children to have the opportunity to have a home where they could feel safe, supported and loved. Paul took a leap of faith and left his job with the Waifs and Strays Society to found The Children’s Family Trust and to take into his own family the same kinds of children he had looked after previously but now, they were to stay within his family for life – on equal terms with his own children.

Despite the struggle to provide for his own extended family, Paul and Ruby had the desire to see a series of such families. Once, if barely established he set about finding other couples who shared his vision and who were prepared to take up his innovative approach to providing ‘Family for Life’ placements to children.

A family for life

For many years the ethos of The CFT had remained a Family for Life representative of the primary placement type offered by the organisation.

Although our strapline has now changed, our ethos has remained very much the same and we regard a family for life as representative of the commitment we make to any children that into our care, regardless of how long they are looked after by us. The CFT strives to support our fostered child or young person throughout their life, often into adulthood.

vision values

The CFT today

Since 1945 The CFT has continued to grow and now operates out of four regional offices across the UK and works with over 100 Local Authorities. Further to this, The CFT is now supporting more foster carers and children than ever before and offers a wider range of placement types including Short Term, Long Term and Short Breaks.

Irrespective of this growth The CFT has remained committed to providing high-quality, individualised service which supports fostering households and puts the children and young people first. As a Trust we aim to achieve stability and security for our children and young people, helping them to develop their talents and skills, achieve their potential educationally and therefore enabling them to make the most of the opportunities available to them.

Help continue the vision

To maintain the highest standards of care for both our carers and their extended families, we rely on the support of local communities to fundraise and make charitable donations.
 
Could you make a difference?
Fostering-Network
Your interview - What you need to know.
If you’ve been invited to an interview, it’s your chance to meet us, tell us about yourself, and take a step towards building your incredible career.
Your interview is your opportunity to learn more about us.
So come prepared with your questions. Plus its our opportunity to get to know you, understand your motivation to work in this sector and get a good understanding of your experience and background.
The first step.
Is either a face to face interview carried out in person or via TEAMS. If you’re successful, the next stage is a more formal interview with at least two members of our team. At least one of the interview panel will have been trained in the NSPCC safer recruitment standards.
You might be invited for a second interview.
Or we might ask you to prepare a presentation or other sample of work. Think about what the role requires and prepare to show you’re a great fit.
We’ll carry out a criminal record check.
Bring the necessary identity documents to your formal interview. The address on the documents should match the address on your application form. You’ll need proof of your right to work in the UK, you will be provided with a list of approved identification documents in line with The Disclosure and Barring Service and proof of your address.
Certificates!
Remember to bring any qualification certificates that are required for the role.
Previous slide
Next slide
Be a successful candidate!
Read through our hints and tips and give yourself the best chance at a career with The CFT.
Do your research!
Look at our website and check that you match our outlook and culture.
Apply via our application form.
We require a fully completed application form, we’ll ask for your full employment history from age 16, include all job titles, employment dates and your reason for leaving – and if there are any gaps, please tell us why.
We’ll need contact details of referees.
Referee's should be people you’ve worked with during the last three years. One should be your most recent employer. We’ll also need a reference from any employer where you’ve worked directly with children and young people and a personal referee.
We’ll carry out a criminal record check.
If you’ve lived abroad within the last ten years, you might also be asked to complete an overseas criminal record check.
If your application is successful.
There may be some more pre-employment checks specific to the role, but a member of our HR Team will be in touch to talk you through what’s needed.
Previous slide
Next slide