Who we are

Sarah Thomas

Chief Executive Officer

Sarah qualified as a social worker in 2004, prior to this she worked with children with additional needs in education settings and with young people in residential care. Sarah’s career has spanned a range of roles supporting vulnerable children and families.

Following a successful career in local authority practice, Sarah programme managed the work of the National Fostering Framework through to the launch of Foster Wales in 2021. She has previously served as Service Manager for AFA Cymru, Director for England and Wales at The Fostering Network and was appointed CEO of The Fostering Network in 2023.

Sarah’s knowledge and expertise in the fostering sector is extensive, advising on policy and practice in both the UK and internationally. 

Kathleen Toner

Director of Engagement and Influence

Kathleen joined TFN in 2013, initially as deputy director, before becoming director for Northern Ireland in 2015. Her brief expanded to include UK membership in 2021 and since January 2024, she has been UK director for engagement and influence.

Kathleen has worked in a wide variety of roles in the Third Sector within community services and children’s social care, including NSPCC, Save the Children and Citizen’s Advice, advocating for children to be at the centre of decision making.

Martha Adam-Bushell

Director of Finance and Resources

Martha Adam-Bushell joined The Fostering Network in March 2024 as Director of Finance and Resources. She has spent many years working in various business operational functions and leading broad teams of specialists in areas such as Finance, Project Management, Policy Governance and Procurement. Previous roles include Interim Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Director of Strategy, Performance and Assurance at ActionAid UK.

James Copeland

Director - England

James Copeland joined The Fostering Network in 2024 as Director – England, returning to the charity after previously serving as Head of Business and Commercial Development in 2021-22. Over his career, he's built strategic partnerships and driven growth across the social care, commercial and charitable sectors, taking on senior leadership roles including COO at a tech startup working in charity fundraising and Head of Partnerships and Innovation at Home for Good. Between 2013 and 2021, James was an approved foster carer himself, caring for children and young people from just days old through to their teenage years. It's this personal experience, alongside his professional expertise, that shapes his passion for improving the lives of fostered children and the carers who support them.

Pamela Graham

Director - Scotland

Pamela leads The Fostering Network’s work in Scotland, helping to ensure foster carers receive the support, recognition and resources they need to provide stable and loving homes for children and young people.

Pamela has more than 25 years of experience in the voluntary sector and a long-standing commitment to improving outcomes for children and young people with care experience. Throughout her time at STAF, she held a number of senior leadership roles, championing the rights, participation and aspirations of young people moving on from care and working collaboratively across the sector to influence policy, shape practice and drive meaningful systems change.

Pamela has dedicated her career to ensuring that young people moving on from care have equitable opportunities to thrive and achieve their ambitions. Working alongside young people, practitioners and decision-makers, she has consistently advocated for approaches that place relationships, participation and lived experience at the very heart of service design and delivery.

Carolyn Ewart

Director - Northern Ireland

Carolyn leads The Fostering Network’s work in Northern Ireland, helping to ensure foster carers receive the support, recognition and resources they need to provide stable and loving homes for children and young people.

Carolyn brings almost 30 years of experience in social work, leadership and service development across Northern Ireland. Throughout her career, she has worked directly with children, young people, families, foster carers and communities, as well as leading teams and influencing policy at a national level.

Carolyn’s extensive experience includes work in child protection, fostering and adoption, mental health services and senior leadership roles within health and social care services. She has a strong track record of working with government, sector partners and frontline professionals to improve outcomes for children and families.

Elizabeth Bryan

Director - Wales

Elizabeth Bryan joined The Fostering Network in 2018 and has held a number of senior roles across the organisation, including Programmes Manager and Head of Operations for Wales. She brings more than two decades’ experience of leading programmes, managing teams and developing initiatives focused on improving outcomes for children and young people across Wales and the UK. Prior to joining The Fostering Network, Elizabeth worked with children’s charities in the disability and education sectors, driving innovation and developing services to support children, young people, families and professionals. Elizabeth is passionate about the role of the third sector in creating lasting change and bringing people together to make a difference to children and young people’s lives.

Her experience spans programme development and evaluation, operational leadership, partnership working, volunteer management and large-scale project delivery. She is particularly committed to ensuring that the voices and experiences of foster carers and young people help shape the future of fostering in Wales.