Meet the Team
Justina Gay
Acting Registered Manager/Director of Children’s Servicesl
Justina has worked in Children’s Services for many years. She specialised in children’s provisions in London, Kent and Sussex Local Authorities where she managed area teams undertaking child protection, family work and disability services. She has developed and run specialist Children’s Fostering Services and has co-owned several independent Fostering Agencies. She has extensive experience in managing services for children and young people and is passionate about improving the quality of care for Children Looked After.
David whipps
Financial director
David has a banking background with Lloyds of London, as well as education. He has set up an independent school and several nurseries. David and Glen became foster carers in 2016 and were blessed with two amazing children. They decided to set up their own small independent agency that would have a family feel and be a place of support for carers. They have been successful in starting Fostering Connections… a friendly, supportive and therapeutic agency.
Glen Barker
Director & Responsible individual
Glen is a qualified Teacher and has established education settings. He was a foster carer for nearly 10 years. His two foster children still currently reside with him and his partner David even though they are 20 and 21 years old! They aren’t going anywhere! Glen is a strong advocate for Children’s Services. He loves working with young people and has a real passion for the teenage brain. Fostering Connections was forged out of a love of fostering tailored with a need for an IFA that holds family at its heart. Glen is a strong believer that family is everything, and family isn't always about blood.
Corinna Richards
Director of Training
Corinna has a Doctorate in Education. She has taught since 1992 in a wide variety of schools, mainly in London, and lectures in universities. She is a Play Therapist and works with Children Looked After.
Wendy spears
Agency Decision Maker
Wendy is the organisation’s Agency Decision Maker, and Manager at Fostering Connections. She was a foster carer for 33 years and worked for therapeutic fostering agencies for over 25 years.
Celia Allport
Senior Social Worker
Celia has been a Child and Family Social Worker for many years. She has worked in frontline child protection services, child in care services and children's disability services. She has worked as a Team Manager for 17 years.
Clare Hope
Supervising Social Worker
Clare has worked with children and families since 2004. She held various support roles in primary and secondary settings, and has a degree in Social Work receiving a first-class BA Hons. She completed her first year of social work in a Local Authority setting before moving into the Independent Fostering Sector. She is passionate about excellent care for children and supporting foster families, as she recognises the value this brings to communities. She is training to be a Life Coach as she is passionate about personal development.
Kabita Oldfield
supervising social worker
Kabita has operated as a Supervising Social Worker for 15 years. Since qualifying she worked for many years for a Local Authority. She has a diploma in Therapeutic Life Story Work, which was developed by Richard Rose. This is the first model subjected to independent research and validated as an evidenced based narrative model that has excellent outcomes for traumatised children, young people and adults. As a Therapeutic Life Story Practitioner, she uses a child centred approach and is passionate about working with children and supporting our foster families.
Nicole Lee
Senior Administrator
Nicole has been part of the Fostering Connections team since 2022 and is a familiar face across many areas of the organisation. She supports fostering arrangements, foster carer recruitment, panel administration, HR, and helps keep the admin team running smoothly day to day. Nicole describes her role as varied and rewarding, and she enjoys the opportunity to help in different ways.
Fiona Martin
Children & Family Liaison Advisor
Fiona has a wealth of experience in childcare from running her own nursery to liaising with families in the voluntary and public sectors. She worked closely with Children’s Services, including the Children Looked After Team for a London Authority. She worked on the LA’s website, including setting up their SEND offer, and worked closely with the Child Protection Team. She was Project Manager for a Children’s Hospice in London, before joining the Fostering Connection's team.
Rob Staples
16+ Pathway and Transition Lead
Rob retired from the Police in 2020 and spent time volunteering in the care and rehabilitation arena before becoming a panel member with Fostering Connections. He trained as an Advocate to help ensure people who need it have a voice. He works with our families and young people during the 16+ Pathway and Transition to adult services.
Dr Katie Gulliver BSc (Hons), MSc, PGCert, PsychD, Consultant and Clinical Psychologist,
Hosts the Reflective Practice Group for our carers
Katie's specialist areas of interest include developmental and complex trauma and working with children in care and the system around them. Her group offers a time for our carers to reflect and chat about shared experiences. A chance to: share experiences in a safe space and reflect on difficult situations our carers have encountered. Katie also holds individual/family bespoke sessions with our foster carers.
Debbie Beaumont
Administration Assistant
Debbie worked with young adults at East Sussex College for many years, helping them to understand and achieve their goals. She compiled the documents for their journey and worked on the college’s database. She is part of Fostering Connection’s Administration team and keeps the foster carers records and profiles up to date.
Grace Rayner
Finance Assistant
Grace is responsible for ensuring we receive payments from the local authorities on time and sending out remittances and payments to our foster carers. She has worked in accounts for the last 4 years and been a part of Fostering Connections team since 2023.