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Our Journey
Futures Group brings together Futures for Children, Fostering Options and Foster Care Solutions, three independent fostering agencies united by shared values and lived experience.
Futures for Children was established in 1999 with a simple belief: children in care deserve stability, understanding and genuine commitment.
Fostering Options, founded in 2002 and based in Milton Keynes, joined the group in 2009 to ensure long-term stability and continuity of care. Foster Care Solutions later became part of the family, strengthening our local presence across England.
Our growth has never been about scale alone. It has always been about protecting what matters, keeping fostering personal, consistent and rooted in relationships.
Staying True to Our Values
In a sector where many agencies have been bought and sold, Futures Group has remained family-run and values-led. We have never been owned by external investors or driven by shareholder priorities.
Our leadership includes foster carers and qualified social workers, people who understand fostering both professionally and personally. Decisions are made with children and carers in mind, not profit margins.
That stability gives reassurance to the families who work with us and to the local authorities who trust us.
Our Approach to Children and Young People
Children who come into care may have experienced trauma, loss or instability. But they are never defined by those experiences.
We believe every young person has strengths, resilience and potential. Working alongside our foster carers, we focus on building confidence, emotional security and life skills.
For some children, this means returning home.
For others, it means long-term fostering or preparing for independence.
Whatever the journey, we are committed to walking it with them, calmly, consistently and with care.
Dedicated Supervising Social Worker
Guidance and regular check-ins to support every fostering arrangement.
Training and Development
Ongoing opportunities to grow
skills and confidence.
Therapeutic and Educational Support
Specialist advice to help
children thrive.
Local Support Groups
Connection with other carers
and shared experiences.
24-Hour Out-of-Hours Support
Help whenever
it’s needed.
Financial Support & Planned Short Breaks
Practical support to make
fostering sustainable.
Supporting Our Foster Carers
Fostering is rewarding, but it can also be challenging.
No one should do it alone. That’s why support is at the heart of what we do. Our carers receive:
We work closely with our carers to build a strong and dependable network around every child,
ensuring no one faces the challenges of fostering alone.
Meet the Team
Behind Futures Group is a team of experienced, approachable and deeply committed people.
Our organisation is led by individuals with lived fostering experience, alongside qualified social workers and long-standing fostering professionals. Many members of our wider team have spent years supporting children in care and the families who care for them.
Because we understand fostering from the inside, we know how important it is to feel heard, respected and supported.
Nick Barnsby
Director
Futures for Children was established in 1999 by Nick Barnsby and Harry Bettice who were committed to ensuring quality fostering placements for children and young people. Nick came to the company through professional social work and individual experience of fostering within his own family, giving him valuable insight into all aspects of the fostering task.
The first office was opened in Kent in February 1999 where the administrative headquarters remains. Since then a number of registered offices and sub offices have been opened across the country to provide local services for children and foster carers.
Nick and Harry made the decision to enhance the growth of the organisation by purchasing other independent fostering agencies. This began with Fostering Options in 2009 and was followed by Foster Care Solutions in 2010 and Time for Children in 2013.
Nick has 5 children, 14 grandchildren and a menagerie of cats, dogs, sheep, chickens and peacocks.
Julie Mountney
Assistant Director
Julie began her career as a foster carer. After twelve years she moved on to working for a Local Authority as a Foster Care Advisor. This role involved all aspects of support to foster carers and placements, including out of hours support and crisis intervention. Julie also managed a team of support workers who worked with adopters to avoid adoption breakdowns. Julie began working for Fostering Option at its inception in 2002. She has held various positions during this time.
Julie was appointed in September 2011 to work across the organisations under the Futures Group umbrella. She takes the lead in creating and developing policies and systems to ensure that the organisation’s practice meets or exceeds the requirements of current legislation.
Sarah
Referrals Officer
Sarah has been an integral part of the company group since 2003, bringing over two decades of dedicated experience to her role. As Referrals Officer, she carefully reviews all incoming local authority referrals to match children with the most suitable available foster carers.
By working closely with carers to understand their individual family situations and skills, Sarah ensures that every placement is a thoughtful, perfect fit for everyone involved.
Fay
Senior Administrator
Fay joined the Futures Group as a Senior Administrator at Head Office in May 2007, moving to the Maidstone office to support the Futures for Children social work team in March 2010, until November 2023.
Fay now supports Assistant Director, Julie, on organisational development/project work, is part of the marketing and recruitment team and is the Panel Administrator, while also supporting Jo Wilson with Futures For Shared Lives and Director Nick as and when needed.
Jess
Enquiries Officer
Jess began working at Fostering Options in November 2009, initially as an admin assistant. Jess has now progressed to become the Senior Administrator for the Milton Keynes office, additionally she is also the Enquiries Officer for the Futures Group.
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"We want children to achieve their potential, no matter where they come from or what challenges they meet along the way."
Nick Barnsby, Director
Enquire now!
For over 25 years, our commitment has been simple: safe, stable homes for local children and strong support for their carers.
If you’re considering fostering, speak to a family-run organisation that truly understands the journey.