MEET THE TEAM
Meet the Children Always First team! Simply click on an image to read more.
Julie Elliott
Director/Responsible Individual
Julie Elliott - Director / Responsible Individual
I started my professional career as a Director of a Language and translating business in Spain. Fluent in Spanish, I returned to Manchester to teach and became Head of Year in an inner city secondary school. My passion for making a difference to vulnerable children continued as I went on to lead a behaviour support unit in one of the biggest schools in Manchester.
I then moved to Worcestershire to take up a post as Social Inclusion Officer for the County. Here I developed Learning Support Units in over 20 schools and led on inclusion projects for children and young people who were excluded from school. As part of this role, I took the lead for the education of Looked After Children.
In 2004, I took the post of Service Manager for the Integrated Service for Looked After Children (ISL), a multi-agency specialist service made up of colleagues from 17 different professional backgrounds. This service developed into a ground breaking, nationally renowned team and has been recognised as making an outstanding difference to the lives of looked after children in Worcestershire.
My knowledge and experiences were then transferred to a strategic management role, where I became Service Manager for Integrated Provider Services. I was responsible for over 200 staff and led on Corporate Parenting and the Children in Care Council for Worcestershire County Council. I was able to transform services for children in care. All 4 residential homes were judged as outstanding by 2012.
As Director of Children Always First, my main ambition is ‘excellence in fostering’, I believe this is the key to changing children and young people’s lives.
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Jan Blazak
Director/ Registered Manager
Jan Blazak - Director/Business Manager
My name is Jan Blazak and I am the Director/ Registered Manager here at Children Always First, along with my wife, Julie we decided to set up Children Always First in 2013. I care passionately about providing the best possible outcomes for vulnerable children and young people and in particular those children who are ‘looked after’. We decided to set up Children Always First so that we could really make a difference to children and young people and with the background I have I felt I would in a good position to set up an agency that really do put the needs of children first.
Before setting up the agency I worked for seven years within the fostering sector. Previously working as a Youth Manager at Worcestershire children services, as a Fostering Social Worker as well as being a manager of a residential unit. From my varied roles I was becoming somewhat disillusioned, believing things could and should be improved and therefore decided that the best way of realising his vision of high quality care would be to establish an agency.
In my spare time I love football and I am a huge Norwich City fan, I am also a keen golfer and try and play as often as I can. Another one of my passions is music production.
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Vanessa Godsill
Operations Manager
Bonita Fradd - Senior Therapeutic Practitioner
Hello I am Vanessa Godsill and I am the Operations Manager of Children Always First.
I decided to work for CAF as I was impressed by the agencies values regarding Therapeutic parenting. The agency clearly embraces the principles of DDP and the PACE model of parenting. This style of therapeutic parenting works towards achieving positive outcomes for children who have experienced early childhood trauma.
I was impressed with CAF’s investment to Foster carers in relation to training especially around therapeutic parenting and the varied range of support Foster carers receive to care for the children and young people they look after. This helps to improve outcomes for Children who are looked after and enable them to achieve their goals and aspirations.
I have a wealth of Social work experience having previously worked as a Senior Practitioner in a Local Authority for the last 5 years and a further 10 years as a Supervising Social worker in statutory and IFA settings undertaking a variety of roles within Fostering.
Prior to specialising within Fostering services I have been a Senior Practitioner and Senior Social Worker with a Local Authority working in safeguarding and assessment and Children in Care teams.
Before qualifying as a Social Worker in 1998 I had a variety of jobs within children’s residential units, Family Centres and Community Day Nurseries.
Away from my busy working life I enjoy family time with my husband and daughter (often playing the role of Moms Taxi!) and catching up with friends.
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Bonita Fradd
Clinical Lead
Bonita Fradd - Senior Therapeutic Practitioner
My name is Bonita and I am the Therapeutic Practitioner at CAF. My role at CAF is really varied and interesting and I am lucky enough to work with many of the carers as well as the children. I began my therapeutic career over 15 years ago when I trained as a counsellor and worked with vulnerable young adults. However, my passion has always been working with children and families and I soon continued my training in creative psychotherapy and attachment focused family therapy.
Today, I combine all the experience and knowledge I have gained through training, clinical support and therapy at CAF. Attachment focused therapy is at the heart of my practice, and as CAF has been founded on the principles of DDP and therapeutic parenting, I am able to weave my experience and knowledge into the fabric of the organization. Outside of CAF, I work as a clinical supervisor to other therapists and assist in the training and personal development of trainee play therapists. In my spare time I love cooking and socialising with my family and friends; I also love being with my beautiful dog who accompanies me on many walks and indulges my sense of humour!
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Edward Little
Senior Practitioner
Ed Little - Senior Practitioner
I chose Children Always First because of their therapeutic approach to working with children and foster carers. I previously worked as a Social Worker for the Local Authority Social Worker and remember being impressed with the ethos and professional commitment to achieving the best outcomes for children that CAF showed.
Prior to working as a Social Worker, I had multiple roles in various occupations but most pertinently, I worked for two voluntary agencies who supported children and young people in the community as a Youth Support Worker.
Away from my professional role I like to spend time with my family and friends.
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Shamayla Anwer
Senior Practitioner
Ed Little - Senior Practitioner
Hello my name is Shamayla Anwer, and I joined the CAF Team as Senior Practitioner. I knew about CAF and all the amazing work they do as I have been an independent panel member for coming up to five years now.
In terms of my experience I have gained a varied amount of experience of working with Children in Care, Care leavers and UASC. I was also a Supervising Social Worker for the Local Authority. My most recent experience is of the Adoption and Fostering services as a Family Finder for the Local Authority.
Having sat on Panel as an independent member prior to starting my role of Senior Practitioner , I have seen CAF flourish and grow in so many ways, Julie and Jan, have maintained what they set out to do and that is put “Children Always First”. I was so proud to be part of a dynamic, caring and therapeutic team as a panel member that having the opportunity to be a part of the team full time seemed like a really exciting venture for me one which I am thoroughly enjoying.
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Scott Paxton
Youth Support Manager
Scott Paxton - Senior Youth Worker at CAF
My name is Scott and I am the Youth Support Manager at CAF. I love being a youth worker and getting to spend time with the young people of Children Always First. The youth support team are mentors for our children and young people and we organise and deliver lots of social opportunities within the foster agency for children and foster carers.
I am proud to say I have been a youth worker for almost 25 years and worked with children and young people in lots of different settings. I value young people and try to listen to them and enjoy the energy they bring to the world.
I have worked at CAF for three and a half years. During this time I have been able to develop a model of support that places the young people at the heart of everything, working from a person centred approach. CAF care about the children and young people and invest in relationships using a therapeutic model of engagement. This is why I wanted to be part of the team at CAF.
I love sports and outdoor activities and spend my time out of work playing football and keeping fit.
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Danielle Hughes
Youth Support Worker
Tammy Griffin - Youth Support Worker
Hi, I’m Danni! I have recently joined the Youth Support Team at CAF. After working for many years with Children and Young People, I completed a Degree in Child Development, which enabled me to expand my knowledge and gain valuable experience, which I’m able to put into practice in my role as Youth Support Worker.
I am passionate about supporting Children and Young People to meet their full potential and thrive within their community. I believe every Child’s voice is valuable and therefore actively encourage every Child and Young Person to be open and honest about their thoughts and views, without fear of being judged.
I love going on adventures and exploring new places. I enjoy swimming and long walks (especially when dogs are involved!).
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Delroy Madden
Youth Support Worker
Delroy Madden - Youth Support Worker
My name is Delroy Madden, my role at CAF is a youth worker role. I have previously worked as a youth support worker for a number of years and gained lots of valuable experience in supporting young people into moving in and sustaining their own accommodation also supporting them to engaging in education training and employment.
I decided to Join CAF to gain a working knowledge of the care system and to help children that are exiting care develop their own independent living skills.
I really enjoy working with young people my aims when working with young people are to help them reach their full potential and become productive members of society. I believe every young person should be given the opportunity to take part in activities and express themselves without fear of being judged or ridiculed.
My hobbies include music production, football and cooking the best part being the eating bit!
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Alice Nuttall-Basham
Youth Support Worker
Alice Nuttall Basham - Youth Support Worker
Hi I’m Alice and I am a Youth Support Worker. I have just started with Children Always First and I chose to work for CAF because they are passionate about providing the best for their carers and children. They have a family friendly environment which is exactly the environment I wanted to work in. I have supported children and young people for many years and enjoy having fun and I am always ready to get stuck in, especially with new challenges.
In my free time I enjoy travelling and seeing different parts of the world and at home I enjoy baking…..which I love to share with friends and colleagues!
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Tammy Griffin
Youth Support Worker
Tammy Griffin – Youth Support Manager
The completion of a Youth and Community Work degree lead me into play work where I ran play sessions in the local community and continued my play work role in after school care and preschool settings. My journey then continued into the world of education where I worked as a teaching assistant and after two years trained as a primary school teacher. This role gave me an insight into the difficulties that some children can be met with within the school setting and I found myself wanting to learn more about how those young people can be supported to be happy and achieve.
I chose to join CAF because the diverse role of a Youth Support Worker enables me utilise all of the skills I have developed from previous roles and is centred around the very thing I love the most – spending time with children and young people through building positive, supportive relationships. I enjoy the therapeutic ethos at CAF and have hugely benefited from the amazing training opportunities available that complement this approach.
A person that knows me well will tell you that I love all things creative and enjoy dabbling with crafty bits, singing and yoga!
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Will Griffin
Youth Support Worker
Will Griffin – Youth Support Worker
My creative background partnered with my enjoyment and passion for sports and outdoor activities have led me to develop a love for working with and caring about young people. I have seen how positive relationships benefit all young people but it is whilst working with those who face additional challenges, that I have seen how a strong connection can really help them to thrive.
I have joined CAF because of their commitment to ensuring young people and carers are provided with outstanding levels of individual support and guidance, unlike bigger, corporate organisations. CAF works around a therapeutic model of support which I believe is the magic that can help young people, particularly when times are tough for them.
In my spare time I enjoy many sports including football, golf and running. I’m also a keen musician and enjoy performing and watching shows and concerts.’
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Megan Herrett
Senior Fostering Social Worker
Megan Herrett - Senior Fostering Social Worker
I am a senior fostering Social Worker and Practice Educator with responsibility for Social Work Student Placements. I chose CAF as I had worked with the agency as a Local Authority Social Worker. I was impressed with the level of support offered to the carers and the young person in placement and was very interested to learn more about therapeutic parenting and DDP. I have been qualified as a Social Worker since 1996 and previously to CAF always worked for Birmingham local authority.
I like to watch good films; go and see comedians; go to music festivals; travel abroad and to sit in the sun and spend time with my friends and family.
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Nathaniel Deakin
Fostering Social Worker
Jonathan Benfield - Fostering Social Worker
Hi my name is Nathaniel, I have recently joined the CAF team. I decided to become a Social Worker after working as part of a pastoral team in a sixth form college as well as volunteering with children’s and youth groups. Previously, I worked and trained at a Local Authority, working within safeguarding and assessment and duty teams.
In my spare time, I love watching and playing football; I am a big Aston Villa fan and try to get to as many games as I can. I also enjoy travelling abroad, playing board games with my friends and family, and have a keen interest in History after studying this at university.
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Kerry Martin
Fostering Social Worker
Kerry Martin - Fostering Social Worker
I joined Children Always First at the end of May last year. I have been a Qualified Social Worker for three years. I have previously worked for the Local Authority and I was in my previous fostering agency for two years. I was drawn to Children Always First for its therapeutic approach. I liked that they use the DDP Model.
In my spare time I like to spend time with my family and I have a keen interest in football, I try to get to as many games as I can.
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Neelam Ahmed
Fostering Social Worker
Neelam Ahmed – Fostering Social Worker
My name is Neelam and I have joined CAF as a Supervising Social Worker. I have been a qualified Social Worker for 8 years and in that time have worked in a variety of settings from social care, health, adoption and education. My passion is on improving outcomes for children.
My time in my various roles has shown me the importance of working in a therapeutic way with children which is why I was attracted to work with CAF.
Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my family, in particular my two sons, who keep me busy! I enjoy cooking and have recently started baking!
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Libby Lord
Fostering Social Worker
Libby Lord – Fostering Social Worker
Hi, my name is Libby and I recently joined the Children Always First family.
Prior to CAF, I have had over 5 years’ experience working as a social worker within a children’s safeguarding team and completed various student placements with other IFA’s.
I am passionate about working with children and young people and very much enjoy developing strong working relationships with their foster carers to support them.
I recently relocated to the West Midlands from Oxfordshire and am very much looking forward to getting to know the area.
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Lisa Wotenick
Fostering Social Worker
Lisa Wotenick - Fostering Social Worker
Hi my name is Lisa , I am a Supervising Social Worker with Children Always First. I have wanted be a social worker since my parents fostered when I was a teenager. I have worked in lots of different settings including parenting assessment centres , pupil referral units/schools and another fostering agency.
I’m excited to become part of the CAF team as I love the therapeutic support offered to carers and the ethos of ‘Children Always First’.
In my spare time I like to spend time with my family and friends, walking my dog Billy , I also enjoy drawing , painting , reading , writing learning new things and photography.
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Alison Bradley
Panel/Quality Assurance Administrator
Alison Bradley - Panel and Quality Assurance Administrator
My name is Neelam and I have joined CAF as a Supervising Social Worker. I have been a qualified Social Worker for 8 years and in that time have worked in a variety of settings from social care, health, adoption and education. My passion is on improving outcomes for children.
My time in my various roles has shown me the importance of working in a therapeutic way with children which is why I was attracted to work with CAF.
Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my family, in particular my two sons, who keep me busy! I enjoy cooking and have recently started baking!
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Elliot Wilday
Business Administrator
Elliot Wilday - Business Administrator
I am the Business Administrator at Children Always First and I am responsible for various things such as; invoicing, payments, human resources, health and safety and office maintenance.
For the last five years, I worked for a large-scale Independent Fostering Agency. Unfortunately due to rapid growth of the company, it began to feel impersonal and corporate. I wanted to have a more direct involvement with foster carers and children and build actual lasting relationships and memories. This is why I really loved the approach of Children Always First as this the heart and soul of what they do.
My motivation for joining Children Always First was because I wanted to work for small, family-feel organisation, who were passionate about changing the lives of vulnerable children and young people.
Outside of work my hobbies include making music and attending gigs and festivals. I’m also passionate about computers and technology and spend many hours playing around with electronics and video games.
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Shelley Candlin
Training/Support Administrator
Shelley Candlin - Training and Support Administrator
My name is Shelley Candlin and my role at CAF is Training and Support Administrator. I have a background in administration and have worked within the fostering sector for over five years.
As part of my role I organise all of the agencies training for our foster carers and also organise our external DDP level 1 and 2 training with Kim Golding. My role is very diverse, I work with supporting the youth support team as well as organising meetings and the development of our social media pages.
I really love working with such a lovely team and feel that we offer our foster carers a really high level of support and training.
In my spare time I am usually out socialising somewhere. I love cooking and baking and being creative.
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Fiona Moran
Placement Administrator
Fiona Moran – Placement Administrator
Hi my name is Fiona Moran and I have joined the Administration team as Placement Administrator.
A little bit about my background; I worked as a Secretary Bursar for 18 years in a local authority children’s residential home – no ordinary ‘admin’ role but I loved every minute of it. Sadly the home was closed along with others last year and in July I went to work at Dudley Council as a Placement Officer. I learned so much about the other side of trying to find placements for children and this knowledge will enable me to develop my role of Placement Administrator.
On a personal note, I have 3 grown up children and a black Labrador. I like reading, walking and I love food.
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