Stepping Stones Care

Investing in great leadership is investing in great care. ⭐

On Wednesday, our managers took part in Performance Management Training, providing them with the skills and confidence to align team goals with organisational objectives, conduct meaningful and constructive 1-2-1s, and address underperformance fairly and effectively.

At Stepping Stones Care, we are committed to developing strong leaders who can support, motivate, and empower their teams to deliver the highest standards of care.

A huge thank you to James Moran for delivering such an insightful and engaging session. The knowledge and practical tools shared throughout the day will help our managers continue to grow and lead with confidence.

📈 More People. More Impact.

At Stepping Stones Care, our people are at the heart of everything we do. Through their dedication, expertise and compassion, they bring our values to life every day.

We're proud to share that 32 new colleagues have joined our team in 2026, compared to 24 during the same period last year – an increase of 33%.

Each new starter strengthens our organisation, bringing valuable skills, fresh perspectives and a shared commitment to supporting young people. This continued growth enables us to provide even more safe, nurturing and supportive environments where young people can thrive.
Thank you to every member of our team for making Stepping Stones Care a place where talented professionals choose to grow their careers and make a lasting impact.

More people. More expertise. More impact. As our team grows, so does our ability to create positive outcomes and brighter futures for the young people we support. 💛

We are delighted to welcome Lorna Cross as our new Regional Manager at Stepping Stones Care.

Lorna brings extensive professional expertise, alongside a strong personal passion for safeguarding and improving the lives of young people. Her commitment to delivering outstanding care and creating positive outcomes aligns perfectly with our values and vision.

We are incredibly proud to have Lorna Cross join our growing team and are excited about the knowledge, leadership, and dedication she will bring to our homes. We look forward to the positive impact she will make for our young people and colleagues.

Please join us in giving Lorna a very warm welcome! 💛

Thanks to James Moran for leading Lorna's induction and helping her begin her journey with Stepping Stones Care.

Strong children’s homes are influenced by the culture created within them.

Each home develops its own identity, influenced by how teams work together day to day.

Recently, the team at Sandstone House took part in a team-building activity designed to strengthen relationships, communication, and collaboration. While activities like these are a great opportunity to come together, they also play a much bigger role.

For young people who have experienced instability, consistency can be life-changing. When the adults around them work together with a shared approach, it helps create the safety, trust, and sense of belonging they need to thrive.

At Stepping Stones Care, teamwork isn't just important for our staff - it's fundamental to the outcomes we achieve for the young people in our care.

Investing in our people is one of the most important investments we can make.

We're proud to celebrate members of the Stepping Stones team who have successfully completed the four-day DDP Level 2 training course - an advanced programme designed for professionals who have already completed Level 1 and are applying Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy principles into their everyday practice.

At Stepping Stones, we're committed to creating opportunities for continuous learning and professional development. Training like this not only strengthens our team's expertise and confidence, but also enhances the quality of support we provide to the young people in our care.

Professional growth and personal growth often go hand in hand. It's always rewarding to see colleagues challenge themselves, expand their knowledge and continue developing their skills. Their commitment to learning reflects the dedication and passion that exists across our organisation.

Congratulations to everyone who completed the course. We look forward to seeing the positive impact your learning will continue to have in the work you do every day. ❤️

Four years. Three homes. One incredible journey.

At Stepping Stones Care, we're passionate about creating opportunities for our people to grow, develop, and build meaningful careers within children's residential care.

This carousel shares Neve's journey from Residential Support Worker to Deputy Manager - a story of development, opportunity, dedication, and progression. It highlights how the right support, guidance, and belief in people can help individuals grow their careers while continuing to make a meaningful difference every day.

We are incredibly proud of Neve Skett's achievements and grateful for the commitment she brings to supporting young people to feel safe, valued, and empowered to thrive.

Thank you for sharing your journey with us, and congratulations on reaching this incredible milestone. 💛

🌈 Pride Month 2026

This Pride Month, we celebrate inclusion, acceptance, and the importance of creating environments where every young person feels safe, valued, supported, and free to be themselves.

At Stepping Stones Care, we believe every young person deserves to be respected, heard, and accepted for who they are. We are committed to building caring, supportive homes where individuality is embraced and diversity is genuinely celebrated.

We recognise that a strong sense of belonging is essential for helping young people grow in confidence, build positive relationships, and thrive. That’s why we focus on creating spaces where every individual feels safe, supported, and empowered to be their authentic self.

This month, and every month, we stand alongside our young people, colleagues, and communities in celebrating diversity, promoting inclusion, and encouraging acceptance.

Because everyone deserves a place to belong. 💛

We don’t just say it - we do it.

For the young people in our care, a home should be more than just a place to live. It should be a place where they feel safe, supported, valued, and able to thrive.

The Ofsted reflections shared throughout this carousel are more than positive comments - they are recognition of the environments our teams work tirelessly to create every day. Environments where young people are listened to, encouraged, and given the stability and support they need to reach their full potential.

We are incredibly proud of our homes and the dedicated teams behind them. Their commitment, compassion, and consistency help create meaningful experiences and positive outcomes for the young people we support.

Because every young person deserves a place where they can feel they belong, build confidence, and look forward to a brighter future.

We brought our teams together for a coffee morning catch-up - an important opportunity to check in with one another, share experiences, offer support, and enjoy some well-deserved time together.

Building strong, supportive relationships within our teams is essential to the work we do, helping us continue to create nurturing environments for young people in our care.

We also took the time to say a very special farewell to Catherine Neal, as she moves on from her role as Home Manager at Sandstone House.

Catherine has demonstrated commitment, dedication, and compassion throughout her time with us, ensuring every young person felt safe, supported, valued, and able to thrive. While she will be greatly missed, we are excited to see her take this next step in her journey. Thank you, Catherine, for everything - we wish you every success and happiness for the future 🌟

A special mention must go to Helen, one of our incredible RSWs, who baked delicious cakes and created beautiful decorations that helped make the occasion even more memorable.

Thank you to everyone who attended and made yesterday such a meaningful occasion.