Sarah Naish, Director at TRUE Fostering, CoECT Founder, and former foster parent and social worker, said:
"The shift to an EOT is more than just structural; it's a reflection of the agency's intrinsic values. The EOT model reinforces our deep-rooted commitment to the families and children in our care. It affords us the freedom to innovate and provide unparalleled, in-depth support, aligning even more closely with the needs of our community.
"This transformation heralds a significant cultural evolution within TRUE Fostering, signifying our intent to deliver our own services, for example, savings for children, and offering tangible benefits to our foster parents. This move doesn't merely challenge the status quo of corporate-centric models; it sets a benchmark for a people-first, benefit-driven approach in fostering – a model others may find challenging to emulate."
Paul Dolyniuk, Regional Director at SME Capital, commented:
“TRUE Fostering is a genuine pioneer in the fostering industry and its recent OFSTED ‘Outstanding’ rating is testament to the extensive value and proven impact achieved via its innovative operating model. With deep professional and personal experience in foster care, Sarah and the management team truly understand their market and the needs of foster children and parents alike. We are therefore delighted to support TRUE Fostering’s transition to full employee ownership and we wish Sarah and the team every success as they bring the benefits of the TRUE model to even more families and communities.”
With significant operations spanning South West England, the Midlands and East Anglia, TRUE Fostering's dedication to grassroots community efforts remains at its heart. The innovative 'fostering pods' concept is a shining example, aiming to fortify regional care networks with localised support and training.
Sarah Naish added: “We want to thank SME Capital. The support we have received has been instrumental – the team provided TRUE Fostering with the necessary financial framework that allowed us to enable the shareholder buyout and establish the EOT model.”
Robert Hulse, Head of Channel Development, SME Capital added:
"It's truly inspiring to back a specialised business with such a transformative impact. Such a fantastic business and team and supporting their transition to Employee Ownership is continued evidence of our commitment to SMEs. Wishing them continued success in changing lives and making a positive difference."
If you would like to understand EOT financing in more detail, or find out more about our wider funding options, please do get in touch.
About SME Capital
SME Capital was founded to support the growing number of SMEs who face difficulty or frustration in accessing capital through traditional methods. We understand the importance of real and trusted relationships in the SME lending market and have dedicated Regional Directors based across the UK. By combining traditional lending expertise with the latest in data analytics, we are supporting established UK SMEs with their long-term objectives and business ambitions.
View our portfolio
