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.
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 Respite.
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
