Meet the Team: Jess Blanchard
At Lorimer Fostering, our Business Support team plays a vital role behind the scenes, helping everything run smoothly for our foster carers, social workers and young people.
This week, we’re introducing Jess Blanchard, one of our Business Support Officers, who shares what her role involves, how she came to work at Lorimer, and what she enjoys most about being part of the team.
Can you tell us a bit about your role at Lorimer and what a typical day looks like?
My role is quite varied, which I really like. I work in business support, but I also have several different responsibilities across the agency. I help manage placements, support with foster carer reviews, and organise the admin when reviews go to panel. That includes preparing paperwork and coordinating everything behind the scenes.
I also support the assessment process by helping social workers and applicants, making sure checks are completed and that people feel supported throughout. On top of that, I’m involved in responding to fostering enquiries and helping with admin for our foster carers.
No two days are really the same, but a lot of my role is about making sure processes run smoothly and supporting others so they can focus on their work.
How long have you been with Lorimer, and what attracted you to the role?
I joined Lorimer in February 2024. Before this, I worked as a support worker in a children’s home, so I had experience working directly with young people.
I knew I still wanted to make a difference in children’s lives, but I wanted something slightly less hands-on. This role felt like the right balance – I could support children and carers while working more on the organisational and admin side of the business.
What’s the most rewarding part of your job?
For me, it’s definitely finding the right placements for children. Being involved in matching a young person with a foster family and knowing they’re moving into a safe, supportive home is incredibly rewarding.
Even though I’m not working directly with children day to day, knowing that my work helps make those placements possible gives me a lot of job satisfaction.
How does your role support foster carers and the wider team?
A big part of my job is supporting our foster carers here at Lorimer. There’s a lot involved – systems, paperwork, reviews – and I help make that easier for them. If carers are struggling with any of the processes, I’m usually the person they come to.
I also support social workers by helping with paperwork, reviews and assessments. We all rely on each other, and business support helps keep things organised so everyone else can focus on direct work with families and young people.
How would you describe the culture at Lorimer?
I’d say the culture at Lorimer is inclusive, supportive and team-focused. Everyone is willing to help each other, and we all share the same values when it comes to supporting children.
There’s a real sense that we’re all working towards the same goal, which makes it a really positive place to work.
What do you enjoy most about working with your colleagues?
I feel like I learn a lot from the people I work with. There’s a strong emphasis on learning and helping each other develop, which I really appreciate.
We’re all here for the same reason – to make a difference for children – and that shared purpose brings the team closer together.
How has your role developed since you started?
When I first started, I was mainly focused on internal admin tasks while I learned more about fostering. As my understanding grew, I became more involved in assessments, then reviews, and eventually took on more responsibility overall.
Over time, my role has expanded, and I’ve also been involved in training new staff, which has been challenging but really rewarding.
What skills have you developed while working at Lorimer?
I’ve definitely grown in confidence. Before this job, I didn’t have much experience communicating with people outside of an organisation, but now I regularly liaise with applicants, carers and professionals.
I’ve also learned a huge amount about fostering, regulations and processes, which has been really valuable for my professional development.
What’s something that surprised you about fostering
The sheer number of children needing care was a real shock to me. Seeing the volume of referrals coming through can be really emotional, especially at first.
It’s difficult knowing you can’t help every child, but it also reinforces how important foster carers are and how much of a difference they make.
Can you share a moment that made you feel proud to be part of Lorimer?
Seeing positive outcomes for young people always stands out – whether that’s exam results, stability in a placement, or carers going above and beyond to support children.
One example that really stuck with me was seeing how carers supported young people to save money for their future. Knowing they’re leaving care with that support behind them is something to be really proud of.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
I love going for walks, especially in the Lake District, and spending time outdoors. I also enjoy getting stuck into a good book, watching live music, travelling, and spending time with friends.
Music is a big part of my life – I’m currently listening to a lot of Fleetwood Mac, and the last band I saw live was Oasis!
If you had to describe Lorimer in three words, what would they be?
Inclusive. Supportive. Better outcomes for children.
What advice would you give to someone thinking about becoming a foster carer with Lorimer?
Do it. We really need foster carers, and at Lorimer you’re part of a small, supportive agency where you don’t feel like just a number.
The support offered by the supervising social workers and the youth engagement team is amazing, and carers are never on their own.
Thank You, Jess!
Thanks for reading! And many thanks to Jess for taking part and helping us spotlight her role in this week’s blog. We really appreciate it! You can read more Meet the Team Monday posts from Lorimer by visiting our blog page. You can also join our fostering community on Facebook for regular news and updates.
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