Who are we?
Credo Care is a registered not-for-profit fostering agency which is at the forefront of providing loving foster families to disabled children and specialise in recruiting carers to look after children with complex needs.
We provide a resettlement service to move children from residential placements to live with specially trained and dedicated Foster Carers. We also place children where there is a risk that the only option is residential care as they are considered to be “too difficult” for foster care.
Some disabled children have always been placed in general foster care, but without specialist practical support and specifically trained carers. As a result the placement breakdown rate has always been very high with a 50-70% risk of disruption. We pioneered a unique approach to this area of work and due to our detailed and thorough matching procedures we have virtually eliminated the risk of breakdown, the last one was in 2003. We were thrilled when one of our social care inspectors told us that they use our high standards of matching as good practice in thier inspections of other fostering agencies.
Credo Care Limited, was established in August 2000, by Father (now Bishop) Damien Mead (a clergyman and the Agency’s Chief Executive Director & Chairman) and Mr Roy Hipkiss (a Senior Practitioner Social Worker with 25 years experience of Fostering Service Provision, and who serves as Development Director). Mr Greg Nicholls joined the Company in 2003 as Registered Fostering Manager and now combines that role with that of Managing Director.
We can cite many examples where the lives of our children have been transformed whilst placed with our foster carers with specialist support from our staff. We have saved Local Authorities and Health Services literally millions of pounds in care fees as our charges are considerably less than Residential and Hospital care.
Credo Care is committed to and works in accordance with the strictest Equal Opportunity Policy and Procedures. Although established broadly on Christian principles of care and compassion; Carers, Staff and Children come from a variety of religious backgrounds or none. However, attention is paid to try to ensure that the spiritual care and development of the children and young people placed is not overlooked amid the vast complexity of the medical and disability led care they need.
Credo is a latin term which means I believe. Credo Care believes in foster care with a difference.
Credo Care Mission Statement
Credo Care is committed to:
- Enabling each young person to achieve his or her potential; physically, mentally and spiritually, as is appropriate for the individual
- Providing support services to work with the young person and their carers to enhance the quality of his or her life.
- Continual self-appraisal and service development. This is achieved by seeking the views of young people, local authorities and other professionals.
- Listening to the expressed needs and interests of young people, their families and foster carers to ‘tailor’ services to meet the young person’s needs.
- Valuing staff and foster carers.