Meet the Founders
Tim Clayton and Trish Kelly have worked together for several years, both in a local authority and independent fostering agency setting. Their strong professional partnership, built on mutual trust and shared experiences in the fostering sector, ensures that Skylark Fostering is grounded in understanding and compassion, ready to support both foster carers and children with a personal touch.
Tim Clayton
Co-founder of Skylark Fostering
Tim Clayton brings over 35 years of varied social work experience to his role as co-founder of Skylark Fostering. His career has spanned both statutory and independent sectors, where he has consistently excelled in leadership positions across Residential Child Care, Child Protection, Adoption, and Fostering services. Tim's profound commitment to enhancing the welfare of young people is evident in his successful leadership, which notably led to an 'Outstanding' Ofsted rating for his region within an Independent Fostering Agency—a testament to his skill in elevating service quality and team performance.
Throughout his career, Tim has been a champion of innovative practices. He integrated the Duke of Edinburgh accreditation into a fostering service, significantly enriching the support and development opportunities available to looked-after children. His pioneering participation model, which empowered children and young people to engage actively in shaping agency practices, not only enhanced their experience in foster care but also their involvement in local communities. This model had proven so effective that it was adopted nationally, demonstrating Tim’s influence in setting industry standards.
Moreover, Tim has been instrumental in building strategic partnerships with educational and professional bodies, enhancing the overall fostering experience and providing enriched opportunities for children in care. His leadership in these partnerships demonstrates his ability to connect different sectors to support the holistic development of looked after children.
At Skylark Fostering, Tim will leverage his extensive experience to advance the agency’s mission. His commitment to promoting an environment where staff feel empowered and young people thrive is integral to Skylark Fostering’s operational philosophy. Tim is focused on continuing to enhance the quality of care and support for children and young people, reflecting his invaluable role in shaping a positive future for those in care.
Tim is also a committee member of the Lincolnshire Butterfly Conservation Society and Akela for his local village Cub Pack!
Trish Kelly
Co-founder of Skylark Fostering.
Trish Kelly co-founded Skylark Fostering, bringing with her over twenty years of invaluable experience in the fostering sector. Throughout her distinguished career, Trish has held a variety of key roles within both local authority settings and Independent Fostering Agencies. Her extensive experience spans more than 15 years working directly with potential foster carers as an assessing social worker, panel member, and panel advisor. Additionally, as an Assessment Manager and Fostering Team Manager, she has played a pivotal role in elevating standards and ensuring top-quality fostering assessments, and developing robust communication within teams.
One of her standout achievements was the development and improvement of a Fostering Assessment team. This initiative transformed the structure of recruitment and assessment within a local authority framework, significantly improving procedures and compliance with fostering regulations, in both kinship and mainstream fostering assessments. This effort not only highlighted her exceptional leadership and innovative approach but also her dedication to enhancing foster care practices.
Her extensive experience and thoughtful leadership have been instrumental in shaping Skylark Fostering. Committed to maintaining rigorous standards, Trish ensures that every process at Skylark is thorough, safe, and designed to meet the unique needs of every child. Her deep commitment to the welfare of children in care, combined with her strategic vision, ensures that Skylark Fostering will provide a supportive environment where children and young people can thrive and look forward to bright futures.
Trish’s role and responsibilities at Skylark Fostering will be deeply invested in the lives of the foster carers and children she works with, offering guidance, support, and reassurance. Her leadership not only sets the bar high for care standards but also makes Skylark Fostering a place where foster carers will feel valued and supported, as they make a profound difference in children's lives.