National Union of Professional Foster Carers Anmeldelser 

We've found the support offered by the union invaluable. They have consistently been there when asked, providing expert advice and support during meetings with the council. Without them I'm not sure we would have had the positive outcome we did.

We contacted the union after we had a couple of stressful years following our complaint that was upheld against a SW and the service. We felt we were being bullied, this resulted in an Allegation ( which was unfounded almost straight away) and a concern. We had to go to panel, which then changed to an Early review. We challenged the reports as they kept changing the reasons and wording to be biased against us, and there was certainly no transparency as things were added without our knowledge. As soon as we said the union was interested and wanted the information we saw a difference. Before Chris spoke at our first meeting with our SW she was backtracking and apologising for aspects that were not transparent. At panel, Chris reminded the chair about minimum standards, he spoke precisely and to the point. Our outcome was positive but we are quite sure it wouldn't have been if it wasn't for the union and especially Chris. Our only regret is that we didn't join earlier when our long term child had to leave us. Thank you for all your support

Response was quick and info really helpful

You need the union behind you 100%. Just having them brought into emails often, makes sure everyone is doing everything in their power to support and resolve your issues within your workforce.
It’s so apparent. When bringing up a problem you have confidence with the union on board, it also gives confidence to carers to also speak up… Knowing you are doing the right thing as you have run it past them. We need to be strong the union empowers you for sure. I cannot rate them highly enough! Join today don’t hold back you have every thing to gain. Nothing to loose x

We cannot thank Robin and the team enough for their advice and support throughout our DBS investigation. We lost our children to an allegation in 2024. Unfortunately we were not members of the NUPFC at the time. When we were fostering whenever the NUPFC was brought up there was such a negative response from Social Workers implying they were just there to upset the apple cart and foster carers had the free support of our LA's chosen support organisation which was enough. We were kept in the dark throughout our allegation. A highly anxious time along with the grief of losing the children and not being able to contact them and no support other than our family and friends. The night before our allegation meeting we were allocated a representative from the LA's chosen support organisation. We met with the representative an hour before our meeting. Who advised us how it would be and the allegation hadn't come from the children. We thought our representatives experience of being a foster carer and their years of experience as an allegations representative we would be ok. We went into the meeting thinking our representative was there as our voice of experience. We quickly found out our representative was there with no voice just an observer. We were on our own very anxious and fighting to keep our good name. It was very clear they'd already made their minds up whatever we said was twisted to their own narrative. We left the meeting heartbroken knowing what the outcome would be. 2 weeks later we were informed the allegation was unsubstantiated but they were substantiating emotional harm. We were given the choice of resigning or going to panel. We resigned we couldn't put ourselves through anymore. 6 months later the NUPFC was recommended to us by a friend. After communicating with Robin and learning the benefits of being a member of the NUPFC we joined and thank goodness we did for what was to come next.

The DBS papers came a year after the allegations. If we didn't already feel like monsters we certainly did now. We experienced the meaning of corruption, being scapegoats and gaslighting. I got in touch with Robin at NUPFC who replied straight away with advice and told me what to do. Robin got things in motion from their end and I did what had to be done from our end. We was able to use the NUPFC solicitor as members. What an absolute pleasure Jonathan the Solicitor was to work with. We cannot thank Jonathan enough for his tireless work on our representation and his understanding of how the DBS works. He wrote an absolutely fantastic representation. He clearly went through the DBS papers with a fine tooth combe picking up on so much I hadn't. For the past year we have felt like we have been in a courtroom drama knowing the truth but nobody was listening until the NUPFC and Jonathan got involved.

We so wish we had been members of the NUPFC while foster carers. We have no doubt we would not have been put through this living hell for the last 15 months if we were. Please ignore your organisations if they talk negatively about the NUPFC and join today for your own piece of mind and to help the NUPFC to grow and help foster carers and a fostering system work for children and their carers.

Unbelievable support and knowledge.
Really is excellent work, having been in unions before who felt baggy and immobile there’s a genuine sense of things being achieved here.
Cannot recommend joining highly enough.

Had a problem over the weekend, the advice we received from Robin was perfect he gave great advice and supported us all weekend

Been getting messed about by L A for over a year over an insurance claim. Got in touch with NUPFC and got paid out within 3 months. Chris was brilliant and kept me informed all the way. If you are a foster carer, my advice is to join NUPFC

What can we say without Chris helping us fight we really don’t know if we would have the strength to keep going. He’s helped us so much and kept us updated throughout everything. If you’re not in the union we would highly recommend you join it. Thanks so much.

Join today! You get a 5***** support package. NUPFC offers exactly what foster carers need but many carers wait until something has happened and wish they had joined. Fostering can be a challenging experience but the most difficult element is dealing with the authorities themselves. NUPFC are experts in the field and very capable. Willing to go the extra mile every time.

We spoke to Robin today who gave us so much of his time. He gave us great, sound advice and took time to ensure we thoroughly understood the options he gave us and the paperwork we need to supply.
Robin called us back ten minutes later having already got answers to some of our questions.
We now feel in a very safe pair of hands to go forward with our issues against our local authority.

After chatting with the union, Robin, it has given us more confidence to foster knowing we have this independent support away from the local authority.

I have (sadly) had many occasions where I’ve turned to the Union for advice and guidance. I have always found them to be knowledgeable, honest and they’ve given me clear instructions / suggestions as to what I need to do. Frequently this has been backed up by a written email to make sure I can keep referring back to it.
I joined because someone recommended them to me but thought ‘I’ll never need to use them’ . Life changes very quickly though - don’t get caught out.
Without fail I can recommend this is the best £10 you’ll spend.

National Union of Professional Foster Carers is an organisation that every foster carer should belong to. It costs very little to become a member.
It took me several years to discover about the existence of this extremely useful trade union.
NUPFC is the best kept secret that many fostering agencies wish that you never knew about.
Every worker deserves to feel secure about their employment. They must be protected from all forms of intimidation and harassment at their place of work, especially where there is no factual basis for any aggressive or destructive behaviour towards a foster carer.
NUPFC is the ultimate guarantee that you need in order to ensure that you feel secure.
Special thanks to NUPFC official Chris Offller , a dedicated official who ensures that all members of the union get the maximum guidance and support that they need from this wonderful trade union.
With the unions support, you will feel secure in your work.
In my more than 11 years as a foster carer, joining the National Union of Professional Foster Carers is the best career to move that I ever made.

I can honestly say without the support of the NUPFC we would be totally broken people. Our experience of fostering over the past nearly 7 years has been brutal! We've been treated appallingly,so much so we are now accessing therapeutic support privately. The union believed us, fought for us and helped us drop a completely unwarranted case against us brought in our opinion through spite as we had a complaint against them. I can't recommend the NUPFC more.

We were recommended the NUPFC, and it’s the best advice we ever received. Every foster carer needs to join in my opinion. Having the quick, well informed, professional and caring reps at the end of the phone has been a life saver. All was sorted in no time thanks to them, and we had the constant support of our reps Chris and Robin.

I have always received a very professional and speedy reply to any of my questions. The personnel are very friendly and helpful. I feel like I am truly supported.

The union was fantastic support during one of the hardest times in our fostering career. They provided great advice and Sandra was always available to provide help and knowledge when required.

instant advice when needed, they knew what they were talking about and understood things from our perspective and the follow up has been brilliant

Worth joining asap if you haven’t already!
Whilst facing a difficult period in our fostering journey, we joined the union for immediate support, an invaluable decision. While we did have foster support in place, we immediately felt a real shift after joining the Union. Things began to move with greater ease and clarity, and we were finally able to focus on what mattered most, without constantly battling to be heard. It was, without a doubt, the best decision we could have made. From the outset, we were met with empathy, professionalism, and integrity. Robin Findlay helped us access support straight away, even before our membership had fully begun. Once our case was taken on by Chris Offiler, we knew we were in safe hands. Chris brought calm, clarity, and expert guidance to every stage. He was always available, fully prepared, and consistently reassuring, his belief in us never wavered. At one point, we even asked Chris during a phone call how he manages to balance the needs of everyone he supports. He is always answering emails, responding to messages, and calmly addressing every concern. We laughed and asked him if he ever sleeps! His response was so kind and genuine, he simply said that offering reassurance and support is what matters most, and reassured us that he does get sufficient rest. That moment summed up everything about his approach: thoughtful, tireless, and deeply committed. Even after being reapproved, the support from Chris and the union has continued. Their commitment goes beyond advice, they stand with you. We’re incredibly grateful for the reassurance, strength, and direction Chris provided. His dedication made all the difference, and we’ll always remember it.

Mina & Sam