WHY ASCENT?
We might be ten years old but our 30 years of social care experience, has taught us some fundamental principles in achieving success for Young People and supporting foster carers in the tremendous work they do.
Why foster for Ascent
WHAT MAKES US SPECIAL?
At Ascent, fostering is about more than providing a safe home. It is about belonging, relationships and helping children heal, grow and become the best they can be.
We are proud to have been rated Outstanding by Ofsted at two consecutive inspections, but what really makes Ascent special is the culture behind those results.
We are a therapeutically minded fostering agency that understands that children who have experienced trauma need skilled, confident carers who can look beyond behaviour and understand the experiences and emotions underneath it. That is why we invest heavily in the training, development and support of our foster carers.
When you foster with Ascent, you become part of a team. Our carers work alongside experienced social workers, mentors and therapeutic professionals who know them, know their young people and are there when support is needed.
We believe children thrive when the adults around them work together. Our approach combines therapeutic parenting, strong relationships, excellent professional support and a genuine family atmosphere.
Most importantly, we never lose sight of why we are here: to help children and young people overcome challenging starts in life, experience a real sense of belonging and develop the confidence and skills they need for their future.
We value people
A GREAT ORGANISATION
Ascent Fostering is a great organisation to work for and we have received recognition from a number of organisations for the great work we do. In October 2019 we received an award from a London local authority for our resilience and placement stability. In 2021 and 2024 we received a Platinum Award from Investors in People. In 2022 and 2024 Ofsted has rated us as an Outstanding child-care provider, which we are thrilled about. This is a true testament to the high level of care we provide to both our carers and young people! Click here to read our full inspection report.
We value people, we believe in team-work and our foster carers are part of our extended professional family.
Hear more from our mentoring team
WE VALUE OUR TEAM
We listen and actively support our team, but the best teams also challenge itself to be the best it can be.
Mark Pomell
Managing Director
Mark Hobbs
Commercial Director
Sita Alexander
Fostering Director and Registered Manager
Nicky Challen-Probert
Team Manager
Victoria Johnson
Senior Supervising Social Worker
Carrie Cumpper
Senior Supervising Social Worker
Tamara Allen
Supervising Social Worker
Gwen Smithen
Team Co-ordinator
Clare-Sherwin
Administrative Assistant
Prasanthi Thata
Finance Manager
Mayara Carrazedo
Administrative Assistant
Dulcie Miller
Finance and HR Assistant
Josie Cuckow
Senior Therapeutic Consultant
Kira Montague
Therapeutic Consultant
Dimitri Jordan
Head of Youth Engagement and Independence
Alanah Wampamba
Placement Support Worker
Shannon Robertson
Placement Support Worker
Kevin Garry
Ascent Ambassador
Dr Annette Eneberi
Clinical Psychologist
Ascent Associates
Sylvie Veber
Play Therapist
Ascent Associates
Dr Kelly Golding
Educational Child and Adolescent Psychologist
Ascent Associates
Vicky Samul
Occupational Therapist
Ascent Associates
We value our team
WE BELIEVE IN LEARNING
We recognise that looking after children and young people who have suffered trauma and abuse, is at times difficult and requires skilled parenting. We equip all our foster carers for this task by offering them extensive training and professional support. Foster carers will complete an intensive Therapeutic Fostering course.
Some of the other courses available: (we offer a wide range of courses each year)
Managing challenging behaviour
Nurturing attachments
De-escalation training
LGBTQ
Just Right State
Our social workers also have had additional training in therapeutic child care, and are trained in Dyadic Developmental Practice and Sensory Attachment Intervention training.
Officially rated outstanding by Ofsted
GREAT PRACTICAL SUPPORT
Our team includes a therapeutic consultant, mentors and supervising social workers. We assist you in finding the right solution to the problems your young person might face. All young people placed are appropriately matched with our foster carers and assigned a personal mentor.
This includes the following opportunities for young people: