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.

Jan Blazak
Director/ ADM

Jan Blazak - Director/Business Manager

My name is Jan Blazak and I am the Director/ ADM 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.

Jay Wilsdon
Registered Manager
(Pending Registration)

Jay Wilsdon - Registered Manager (Pending Registration)

I started my working life in administration and when I had my first child, I re-evaluated as I wanted to do something more meaningful with my future. I had always been passionate about children and had a keen interest in Social Work, particularly fostering and adoption as my family adopted. I started working for Worcestershire council in the Leaving Care Team and this reinforced my decision to go back to education and train as a Social Worker.
I have since worked in both a small and a large fostering agency for almost ten years. I started as a Supervising Social Worker and have progressed into management. I am now coming to Children Always First as your new Registered Manager.
I have worked closely with children and foster carers over the years and always want to see the best possible outcomes for children and value the importance of supporting foster carers to achieve this. I have a hands-on approach and my door will always be open.
My spare time is usually spent with my two daughters and family and friends. I also enjoy running, but I am not a marathon runner yet!

Chris Dingley
Quality Assurance Manager

Chris Dingley – Quality Assurance Manager

I am originally from Manchester but have lived in Crosby, Merseyside for the past 19 years with my partner Louise. I have one daughter, Emma aged 32, who lives in Manchester. When not working, I am usually out walking with Louise and my two dogs. We have Clyde, who is a beautiful, rescued street dog from Greece, and Ossie, a working Springer Spaniel who it would be fair to say keeps us on our toes! I also spend some time taking landscape and seascape photographs and following Manchester City around the country with Louise, which I have been doing for 52 of my 55 years.

I started off as a Drug Service Worker / Prison Worker in 1991 before gaining my qualification in Social Work. I qualified as a Social Worker in 1996 and hold the Diploma in Social Work. I also hold a BA (Hons) in Social Work & Social Policy from the University of Hull. Since then, I have worked in a Local Authority Safeguarding Team and as a Child Protection Officer with the NSPCC. I then worked as a Children’s Guardian, representing children in public care proceedings, before moving into the field of fostering in 2004.

Within the field of fostering, I have held positions as a Senior Practitioner, Reviewing Officer, Quality Assurance Manager and Registered Manager. I have also been a Panel Advisor for three agencies and a Panel Chair for eight agencies & LA’s. I started my position with CAF in March 2021. This was a big step for me after working for myself for so long, but after meeting the team and developing an understanding of the ethos and values of the agency, I feel privileged to have been trusted with this role. The Senior management team value carers and the work that they do, and value the people that support them. It was lovely to find owners and a team that I could really relate to.

The work that fostering families and their Supervising Social Workers do to support and care for children and young people constantly amazes me. Their enthusiasm, selflessness and commitment to children is truly humbling and has been the inspiration for me to remain working in fostering for almost 17 years.

Bonita Fradd
Clinical Lead

Bonita Fradd - Clinical Lead

Hi, my name is Bonita and I am the Clinical Lead 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!

Kirsty Burden
Youth Support Manager

Kirsty Burden – Youth Support Manager

Hi there, my name is Kirsty and I am the Youth Support manager here at CAF. I wanted to take this opportunity to tell you a little bit about myself. I consider myself to be fun and engaging, empathic and supportive, and strong.
I have been in the youth work field for nearly 13 years and have worked with children and young people of all ages from a variety of different backgrounds, I have a BA (Hons) Degree in Youth and Community Services from University of Worcester, I am a Level 3 qualified Life Coach and have spent the last 9 years supporting children and young people via a range of different projects at the YMCA.
I am passionate about supporting young people and helping them to reach their full potential, which is one of the reasons I joined CAF. I believe young people should have the opportunity to have a wide range of different experiences to be able to fully form their own sense of identity and self-worth. I believe in a youth led approach and value young people’s voices and experiences.

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.’

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!).

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!

Hannah Stokes
Youth Support Worker

Hannah Stokes – Youth Support Worker

My name is Hannah stokes and I am one of the Youth Support Workers.

I have worked within the childcare sector for sixteen years and just as the song suggests I believe children are our future, teach them well and let them lead the way…. (great song).

All joking aside I have spent my life trying to improve outcomes for children and I will continue to do so in my new role as youth support worker.

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!

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.

Grace Lander
Fostering Social Worker

Grace Lander – Fostering Social Worker

My name is Grace Lander and I have been a social worker for the last 10 years. I started my career in a Care Management team, before moving into a Children in Care team to support young people who are looked after. My social work career has given me the experience to support young people as well as their families/carers in many different circumstances, to really understand their needs. I have always enjoyed building and maintaining long term relationships with young people to help them reach their potential and to improve their long-term outcomes.

I have a passion for Attachment Theory and Dyadic Developmental Therapy and I am excited to be part of a close-knit supportive team, which has a therapeutic approach to practice.

As a person I am reflective, conscientious and consider myself to be a supportive colleague. I always have high expectations of myself and always willing to go the extra mile!

Sonya Cadden
Fostering Social Worker

Sonya Cadden – Fostering Social Worker

I have twelve years post qualifying experience. For the past nine years I have been working within the Independent Fostering sector as a Supervising Social Worker, prior to that I worked within a generic Children and Families Team for three years as a Children and Families Social Worker. Before qualifying as a Social Worker, I worked as a Support Worker working with children’s and families in addition to vulnerable adults in a wide range of settings.

I enjoy enabling students and I have an interest in attachment theory and therapeutic parenting. I like to apply a solution focused approach, in addition to a child centred approach to my practice. I also have an interest in Autism, particularly the sensory diet and the different strategies that can be drawn upon to meet the child’s needs in practice.

In my spare time I love to walk my two dogs, Toby (Toy Poodle) and his daughter Maisey (Cavapoo). I also like to go away on weekend breaks with my husband and the dogs in our touring caravan, as we like to unwind in nature. I also enjoy spending quality time with my two adult children, other family members, and friends. I also enjoy a spot of ballroom dancing and amateur photography and I also enjoy watching live music gigs.

Jodie Bedenham
Fostering Social Worker

Jodie Bedenham – Fostering Social Worker

Hi, my name is Jodie Bedenham. I qualified as a social worker in 2008 and worked for a Local Authority- in safeguarding, a looked after children’s team and in a fostering team. I took a career break in 2018 to pursue a career in the fitness industry, however missed the work supporting children and young people to achieve positive outcomes.

The pandemic allowed me to reflect on my own journey, situation and future aspirations and as a result here I am. I identify with the ethos behind Children Always First and what they do.

In my free time I will maintain the hobby of fitness but more for fun! – and I look forward to making the most of time with family and friends when there are less restrictions.

Alison Bradley
Panel Coordinator

Alison Bradley - Panel Coordinator

My role at the agency is Panel Coordinator. I wanted to join an Independent Fostering Agency with a real passion for children and I felt CAF had that passion and I could see that they really put children and young people first.

I have a background of administration in Special Educational Needs, School Improvement and Adoption within a local authority and joined CAF in September 2017 as the Business Administration Manager. Due to family commitments, however, my role has since changed to Panel and Quality Assurance Administrator and I now work on a part-time basis.

My main hobby is travelling, but I also love eating out and socialising with the special people in my life, spending time with my amazing grandchildren and walking my gorgeous spaniel Jackson.

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.

Shelley Candlin
Training & Support Coordinator

Shelley Candlin - Training and Support Coordinator

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.

Fiona Moran
Placements Administrator

Fiona Moran – 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.

Elaine Carroll
Fostering Engagement Officer

Elaine Carroll - Fostering Engagement officer

Hello my name is Elaine Carroll and I am the Fostering Engagement Officer at CAF. This is a new role for Children Always First so I’m very much looking forward to shaping this role.

I previously worked for Marks and Spencer’s for many years and more recently a small independent Childrens charity. My background is mainly in HR and recruitment.

I have a grown up daughter whole lives in Gloucestershire. In my free time I love to paint, especially with watercolours. I love all needlecraft and like to have a project on the go. To escape from the pressures of daily life I love to run outdoors and I aim to run 5K at least 3 times a week.