
TUTIS FOSTER CARE
Tutis
[Too-tis]
Latin Adjective
Safe, Protected, Secure
Tutis Foster Care is an independent fostering agency based in Cumbria. Tutis means safe in Latin, reflecting our mission to provide secure, nurturing homes for children in need. We treat our foster carers as respected professionals, offering extensive support, generous allowances, and specialist training to help children find stability and security.
Unlike many agencies, we are not run by venture capitalists but by experienced social work professionals with backgrounds in Local Authorities. We understand the needs of Placing Social Workers and are committed to ethical, high-quality foster care. Our leadership team - including our Directors, Agency Decision Maker, Responsible Individual, and Registered Manager - are all qualified Social Workers registered with Social Work England.
At Tutis, we are dedicated to safety, trust, and belonging - creating brighter futures, one home at a time.
MEET THE TEAM
Meet the Tutis Foster Care Team, dedicated professionals committed to providing a nurturing environment for children in need. We aim to make a meaningful impact in the lives of foster children and support families, ensuring every child has the opportunity to thrive and feel valued.

Registered Manager
Louise Devlin
Louise qualified as a Social Worker in 1994 and brings over 30 years of experience supporting children and families. She has worked across various Local Authority teams, including Child Protection, Children Looked After, and Leaving Care and has held leadership roles such as Deputy Manager of a Children’s Home and Manager of a Leaving Care Team. With extensive fostering experience - from Local Authority Connected Persons Teams to Independent Fostering Agencies and a Foster Care Charity - Louise has developed a deep understanding of what makes placements successful. Her vision for Tutis was to create a small, values-led agency that carefully recruits carers who are dedicated, open to learning, and committed to giving every child the best chance to thrive. A passionate advocate for young people, Louise has helped organise international trips to Romania, Bulgaria, and Poland, offering life-changing experiences to those in care. She remains dedicated to ensuring all children and young people feel supported, valued, and encouraged to reach their full potential.

Senior Supervising Social Worker
Jenny Bird
Jenny qualified as a Social Worker in 2013 and has since dedicated her career to fostering, working as a Supervising Social Worker to support carers and children alike. At Tutis Foster Care, Jenny helps foster carers provide stability, care, and guidance to children in their homes, ensuring each young person can achieve positive outcomes. Drawing on her professional expertise and her own experiences as a parent, she offers empathetic, practical support to every fostering family she works with. Passionate about making a difference, Jenny finds her role both challenging and deeply rewarding. She’s proud to be part of the Tutis team, working alongside like-minded colleagues who share her commitment to supporting carers in creative and meaningful ways. Every day, Jenny feels inspired by the resilience and growth of the children and families she supports.

Supervising Social Worker
Charles Murray
Charlie qualified as a Social Worker in 2000 and has since gained extensive experience across a wide range of roles supporting children and young people. His career has spanned Children and Families, Leaving Care, Youth Offending Services, and Children’s Mental Health, giving him a well-rounded understanding of the challenges many young people face. In 2009, Charlie became the first foster carer in Cumbria for the Homestays service - an experience that deepened his empathy for looked-after children and his appreciation of the dedication required from foster carers. Now at Tutis, Charlie is driven by a commitment to helping children from all backgrounds feel valued, supported, and empowered to achieve positive life outcomes.
.jpeg)
Therapeutic Mentor
Janice Ogilvie
Janice joined Tutis Foster Care as a Therapeutic Mentor, bringing 28 years of experience in frontline and management roles across Children’s, Education, and Adult Services. Having worked in both Residential Care and Family Placement, Janice is passionate about ensuring that every child feels safe, empowered, and able to reach their full potential. She brings a deep understanding of trauma-informed practice, helping foster carers and young people build trust, strengthen relationships, and find a sense of stability and wellbeing. Janice has also worked with Pause, a service supporting women who have experienced the removal of their children, helping them to recover and make positive changes for their futures. Driven by empathy and a dedication to making a difference, Janice continues to use her expertise to create positive, lasting change for children and families across Tutis Foster Care.

Support Worker
Sunny Woodend
Sunny brings creativity, compassion, and strong communication skills to her role as Support Worker at Tutis Foster Care. With a background in volunteering, tutoring, and acting she supports young people, foster carers, and staff through a wide range of projects and activities designed to build connection and confidence. Sunny’s background in drama, education, and the arts gives her a unique ability to engage and inspire others. Having volunteered on art projects in orphanages abroad and provided English tutoring to refugee families, she has a deep commitment to inclusion and empowerment. Passionate, approachable, and dedicated, Sunny plays a key role in helping Tutis deliver meaningful support that makes every child feel seen, heard and valued.

Administrator
Saul Woodend
Saul supports the Tutis team through his role as Administrator, combining strong organisational skills with a creative and caring approach. His work spans a wide range of administrative and youth-focused tasks, helping ensure that both staff and young people receive consistent, reliable support. With a background in music production and sound engineering, Saul brings a creative eye and attention to detail to everything he does. At Tutis, Saul enjoys being part of a close-knit team that makes a real difference in children’s lives. His calm, positive attitude and willingness to go the extra mile make him an invaluable member of the Tutis community.