Investing in Our People, Supporting Our Children
When people ask me what makes Stepping Stones different, I always give the same answer: our people.
Yes, we’re proud of our Model of Care. Yes, we work hard to create safe, warm homes for children. But the heart of everything we do is our team, the amazing people who show up every single day with dedication, warmth and with the children being the priority of everything they do.
And if we want them to give their best to the children, then we have to give our best to them.
Starting strong: our 3-week induction
Walking into a new care role can feel overwhelming. That’s why we never throw anyone in at the deep end. Every new colleague gets three full weeks of induction, that’s over 140 hours of learning and support.
It’s not just sitting in a classroom. It’s:
11 face-to-face courses with experienced trainers
Online learning at your own pace
Shadow shifts where you learn on the job
We want people to feel confident, calm and ready, because the children deserve staff who feel steady and safe.
Spotting potential: Future Leaders
Some of our best leaders started as support workers. They didn’t come in shouting about their ambitions, they simply cared, listened, and learned. And we noticed.
To help those people grow, we created our Future Leaders Development Training, a bespoke 4-day course that focuses on real-life leadership: how to support a team, handle difficult days, and still keep children at the centre of every decision.
Supporting our managers
Leadership in is about courage, kindness and consistency.
That’s why we invest in our managers through a 12-day bespoke Managers Development Training Programme. We help them become the kind of leaders who don’t just manage — they inspire.
Living our values: the STEPS Model
Our STEPS Model of Care is about how we think, speak and act.
Every member of staff spends two full days learning about our model when they join. And we return to it every year with refresher training, because care isn’t static - it grows, just like our young people do.
Deepening connections: DDP Training
One of the most important ways we support our children is by building safe, trusting relationships. That’s why we provide Level 1 & Level 2 Dyadic Developmental Practice (DDP) training for our Managers and deputies.
DDP helps our colleagues connect with children who have experienced trauma, by using playfulness, acceptance, curiosity and empathy. It’s about meeting young people where they are and helping them feel truly understood.
Never standing still: ongoing training
Even after induction, our learning never stops. Every year, our staff take part in 2 to 4 extra face-to face training courses.
We design these around what people need — whether that’s trauma informed practice, supporting children with complex needs, or even managing their own wellbeing.
Why this matters
I often say to our team: “It’s our job to make sure all our staff have the right tools do their jobs.”
If we want our children to feel safe and supported, then we need to make sure our staff feel the same.
That’s why training at Stepping Stones Care isn’t just about ticking boxes. It’s about:
building confidence
deepening understanding
giving people the why, not just the what
and showing every colleague that we believe in them.
I’m incredibly proud of the people who work here, and for the great impact they’ve had on the lives of the young people in our care.