A Director’s Journey to Building a Healthy Culture
By Narinder Singh, Director, Stepping Stones Care
Step 1: 🔍 Observing the Challenges
When we started Stepping Stones Care, we realised very quickly how hard and demanding the job our teams did with supporting the young people with trauma, emotionally and how physically demanding it can be. From shift work to intense emotional demands, care isn’t easy.
So from the start, we focused on how can we support our staff to ensure they have everything they need to support our young people. Some of the questions we focused on were:
“How can we support their mental well being?”
“How can we foster a culture that uplifts them, so they can uplift the children?”
Do our staff have all the tools required to do there jobs well.
Where can we take pressure of the support teams, so they can concentrate on the primary task of child care.
As fundamentally, the children come first and they’re at the forefront of our minds with any decision – so supporting our staff, in turn, supports the children in our care.
Step 2: Listening Through Engagement Surveys
We introduced regular internal surveys to gather honest feedback. Our staff have told us what’s working and where we can improve.
They’ve said:
“We feel supported… approachable management.”
But also mentioned key areas we can improve on
That’s not just data - it’s a compass. We track improvements over time, share trends, and respond with real action. You can view the results and actions from our 2025 survey here: https://www.steppingstonescare.com/news/2025/5/7/what-you-told-us-2025-employee-survey-results-amp-what-happens-next
Step 3: Talk & Support – Supervision as Essential Checkpoints
Caring for children who’ve endured hardship means our teams need psychological safety too. That’s why one‑to‑one supervisions aren’t optional - they’re vital.
In each session, staff reflect on what’s been tough, what’s gone well, and any support they need. It’s a safe, confidential space - mental health isn’t an afterthought, it’s integrated.
Step 4: Bringing Teams Together – Events That Build Connection
It would be easy to skip team events amid busy schedules. But we prioritise them.
We host regular gatherings - team lunches, seasonal celebrations, even informal coffee catch‑ups. We’ve seen teams connect across shifts, through shared laughter and stories. These moments foster trust and remind us we aren’t just co‑workers - we’re a community.
The teams in the homes are not only there for their own young people but also form a supportive part of the larger Stepping Stones Family, always ready to help one another.
Step 5: Investing in Training & Development
Our commitment goes beyond wellbeing - it’s about growth. We exceed OFSTED training requirements and actively cultivate future leaders, with our future leaders development programme.
The response has been incredible. Staff say:
“Amazing company to work for… invest a lot of time and training into their staff.” Via indeed reviews.
We tailor learning paths, offer leadership coaching, and pair new practitioners with seasoned mentors.
Step 6: Celebrating Wins, Big and Small
Nothing uplifts a team more than celebration. We mark milestones - be it reaching a child’s goal or opening a new home.
These celebrations remind us why we do this work. They bring meaning, re‑energise teams, and reinforce our collective purpose.
Key Takeaways: Building Our Culture in Six Acts
Why It Matters
Staff retention: Feeling supported means people stay and bring consistency to children’s lives. We’ve acheived a staff retention rate of 86.4% in 2025 so far, well above the industry average of 71%.
Wellbeing: Supervision and events combat burnout and fortify mental health.
Quality of Care: A flourishing team delivers outstanding care.
Resilience: In a demanding field, strong culture helps weather tough times.
Even on the hardest days, I’ve seen our teams come together. That’s not just heartening - it’s a sign we're getting it right.
A Final Word from Me
I wake up every day proud, not just of our children’s progress, but of our team’s strength. Our culture is something we’re always working on and will forever evolve by really listening (apparently I ask too many Questions) caring, and investment in people.
To all of you on this journey - thank you. Let’s continue to build a place where children are nurtured and where staff feel nurtured too.
Narinder Singh
Director, Stepping Stones Care