Sarah Naish
Director
Hi, my name is Sarah Naish, Director at TRUE.
I’m an international best-selling author and key-note speaker in therapeutic parenting. I have Adopted 5 children and am a former foster parent as well as the founder of The National Association of Therapeutic Parents, which now has over 10,000 members and provides a hub of information and support to carers of traumatised children.
Sarah is widely recognised as a trailblazer in the field of therapeutic parenting.
Meet the team
Alison Douglas
Operations Director
Hi, I’m Alison Douglas and I have been appointed Director of Operations at TRUE Fostering.
First of all, I want to let you know I am a therapeutic parent and an adopter of two boys (now men – how did that happen?!). In 2020 Sarah Naish and I set up Safer Fostering CIC in Wales with the same model of care that we know works in TRUE.
I have been working alongside Sarah and Gareth for the last few months and now I am really excited to become a permanent fixture at TRUE.
Claire Cartwright
Registered Manager
I have been a qualified Social Worker for over 27 years within children’s services. Within this time, I have held many roles such as Social Worker, Children’s Guardian, Reviewing Officer for Foster Parent annual reviews, IRO/Conference Chair, and IRO Manager. I have even been a Magistrate on the criminal bench – which was very interesting ! I have also held several Head of Services roles and my last role in a Local Authority included being the strategic lead for fostering.
My passion for working with Foster Parents was ignited early on in my career. Reflecting back, some of my happiest times have been when I have been in the company of Foster Parents. Your passion, commitment and ‘never give up’ attitude has always inspired me to do the same. I am so excited to have joined True as the Registered Manager. This is an amazing team to work with and the therapeutic ‘whole team around the foster parent & child’ approach is something I have never experienced in my career. It is amazing to see.
My practice is restorative and relational, and I thoroughly enjoy working with people to achieve the best outcomes for our children and foster parents. Personally, I am a Mum of three, and a dedicated supporter of Port Vale – which can be challenging at times!
Sarah Dillon
Attachment Therapist
Hi, my name is Sarah Dillon, Attachment Therapist at TRUE
I run the support groups and provide 1:1 consultations to Foster Parents and achieve ground-breaking outcomes for children. I am a best-selling author in child trauma and a therapeutic parenting Key-note speaker. I am a former fostered child, and Therapeutic Lead for the NATP.
Jane Mitchell
Head of Family Stability
Hi, I’m Jane Mitchell, the Lead Empathic Listener for TRUE working closely with the Therapeutic Team. My main role in TRUE is to provide support and a safe place for foster parents to talk through their successes, fears, frustrations, or anything else. I work closely with the SSW and CSW of families and together we form a supportive team around the family. I am the Director of Family Stability at NATP, and I develop resources and training as well as being an author. I have an adopted daughter with complex needs therefore I experience of the many issue’s parents can face. I am especially skilled at helping parents of children showing very challenging behaviours to understand and create new strategies and narratives to help manage these.
Gareth Griffiths
Training Manager
Hi , my name is Gareth Griffiths and I have joined TRUE in the role of Registered Manager. I have been working with both Sarah Naish and Sarah Dillon for several years and am passionate about Therapeutic Parenting, so this really is the dream job for me! and I’m very proud of our ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted Rating.
I have worked in fostering for over 18yrs and specialised in developing agencies in various ways for example Therapeutic Parenting , Parent and Child fostering and most importantly recruiting foster parents, as without you we would not be able to support the children and young people in the way that we do.
Lizzie Ely
Therapeutic Team Manager
I qualified as a social worker in 2013 and I have been a child social worker working with children from the point of ICO to adoption/long-term fostering. I changed to become a Supervising Social Worker in 2018 as I wanted to support the foster parents as I recognised they are the ones who make the biggest impact on caring for children with trauma. I first learnt about DDP, PACE and therapeutic parenting in 2020 and I became passionate about this approach when I saw the positive impact it had. I leapt at the chance to join TRUE fostering in February 2023 as they imbed therapeutic parenting and support in their practice.
Apart from work, I love being out in the countryside in the sunshine, dog walking, swimming and experimenting in the kitchen.
Helen Morris
Therapeutic Social Worker for Shropshire
Hi Everyone, my name is Helen, and I am the supervising social worker for the West Midlands region.
I became a qualified social worker in 2016 and I have experience of working in children’s social care for a local authority and in the private sector. I have a degree in Psychology and a master’s in Social Work.
I have previously worked as a child protection social worker and have also worked as an SSW for another fostering agency.
I am very excited to be working for TRUE as I am keen to further develop my knowledge and skills in Therapeutic Parenting.
Aside from work, I enjoy going for walks, reading, watching true crime documentaries, and listening to podcasts.
Jessica Cooke
TSW EAST ANGLIA
I have been working for TRUE as the Therapeutic Supervising Social Worker supporting families in the East Anglia region since August 2023. Prior to this, I worked within a local authority Child in Need/Child Protection team. I have a strong passion for working with children, particularly those who have experienced trauma, and I am deeply committed to supporting foster parents in providing safe, nurturing, and healing environments.
I truly enjoy working for TRUE. The agency offers a level of support to foster families that empowers them to make positive, lasting changes in the lives of the children they care for—something I wholeheartedly believe in and strive to contribute to every day.
Outside of work, I have a large extended family with whom I love spending time. I also enjoy dinners out with friends, beach days in the summer, baking, and reading.
Ann Lowe
Therapeutic Social Worker
I qualified as a social worker in 1993 and have always worked with children and families. I began my career working in a children’s team managing children who were in need, looked after or at risk. I moved to a Team Leader position in the same district and part of my role was to manage the area fostering service. In 2000 I was appointed to a Team Manager post and for 14 years I managed a district team that managed child in need, children looked after and child protection, children’s disability and leaving care. I also have experience of working within an education service responsible for planning and progressing EHCP’s.
I have past experience of fostering having first been approved as a foster parent in 1986, until my retirement from fostering in 2019 (With a gap in between whilst I was studying )
After a period of ill health in 2021 /2022 I began completing independent assessments for TRUE Fostering. I was offered a temporary post to cover maternity leave and was later successful when I applied for a permanent position.
I have always been passionate about children and committed to protecting them and supporting them to achieve the very best outcomes in their lives. I am equally passionate about supporting foster parents – they are the most important people to children in the care of the local authority.
I am delighted to have joined TRUE Fostering and to have the opportunity to work with amazing colleagues and foster parents and continue my development as a therapeutic practitioner.
Personally, I am a mother of two, ’children’. My daughter is turning 40 this year. She and her husband have been fostering parents for 16 years. My Son is 37 and a submariner in the RN. He and his fiancée are enjoying the early days as foster parents for the local authority.
I love to read, spend time with my grandchildren, swim and grow vegetables in the greenhouse. I also love animals and live with a mad Border Collie and a tortoise called Victor.
Jo Perry
Therapeutic Social Worker (WEST MIDS/SOUTH WEST)
I have been a social worker since 2015 and have worked in three teams as a Children’s Social Worker, including child protection, children who have additional needs and disabilities, and with children on their journey through care.
I have developed a passion and commitment to understanding developmental trauma and therapeutic parenting and can see that children need the gift of understanding their own stories. I feel privileged to be working with a fantastic team of staff and Foster Parents around our children within True Fostering.
In my home life, I have a sporty teenage boy and as a family we like to have picnics, go on long walks and roadtrips to the beach. I can often be found with a paintbrush in hand and singing to pop songs! I am trying my hand at growing flowers and veg in the garden.
Donna Muggeridge
Senior child support worker
Hi, I’m Donna Muggridge and I have been working for TRUE Fostering as a Child Support Worker in the East Midlands since December 2019.
I enjoy working for TRUE supporting the families, spending time with the children and being part of a therapeutic team, which feels like a family to make a difference in helping young people’s lives.
I have been working in childcare for around 20 years and have lots of experience in different settings with children with various needs. I have experience of using therapeutic strategies when looking after children that have experienced trauma and have completed several training courses to add to my skills and knowledge.
I live in Nottinghamshire with my husband and daughter and we enjoy walks in the countryside with our 2 cocker spaniels.
Amy Vere
Child support worker
Hi, my name is Amy Vere and I joined TRUE as a Child Support Worker for the West Midlands region in January 2021.
I really enjoy my job because I get to go out and do fun activities with the children and young people. I also help to arrange family days and events for the region to get everyone together and share new ideas for the running of the agency.
In my spare time I really enjoy walking my two dogs, going for bike rides, getting stuck into a good television series and catching up with friends.
Savannah Dillon
Child support worker
I joined TRUE in February 2023 as a Child Support Worker in the East Midlands.
I love working with children and young people doing fun activities, having new experiences, and supporting them and their families in a range of different ways.
I enjoy being part of an incredible therapeutic team at TRUE and have developed a deeper understanding of developmental trauma and therapeutic parenting since being here.
I have lots of hobbies and interests - I love singing, dancing, rock climbing and anything creative!
Sophie Moll
Child support worker
I joined as a child support worker for East Anglia in May 2024. I have experience in working with looked after children and have worked in a parenting assessment unit with tiny babies! I have always looked for these kinds of roles after being looked after myself when I was a child. I love my job supporting the children and getting to know all the things they love doing! Trampoline parks appear to be a firm favourite!
When I’m not working I enjoy being at home (even more so when its cold outside!) I am a huge Lego fan and enjoy anything that makes me get creative.
Debbie Willis
Admin Manager
I have worked in fostering since 2016, firstly with a large independent fostering agency, and I then made the switch in 2020, as I believe Therapeutic Parenting is the best way to help our traumatised children.
As well as having a team ethos, the agency also has a family feel, where the fostering families are at the forefront of our amazing team. It’s like being part of a massive friendly family.
I have always had a passion for helping people, running my own playgroup for 7 years and then moving on to work in a dementia care home.
Seren Dyer
Administrator
I am the administrator for TRUE. I’m the first point of contact and responsible for administrative duties for the agency.
In my spare time I like taking long walks in the countryside, reading and have many reptiles that I love to care for.