Angie Kirby (Founder)

Our founder Angie had over 25 years’ experience of working within a children and families setting. Angie began her career with Thurrock Council working initially as an unqualified social worker in the Continuing Care Team. Angie gained the Diploma in social work from the Open University in 2002 and soon progressed to Senior Practitioner and then Team Manager working extensively with Children Looked After which included court work, child protection and adoption. As a student social worker Angie worked within a residential children’s home and a Family Support Team. Angie moved into the Fostering sector when she became the Fostering Team Manager for Southend Borough Council where she stayed for 3.5 years before moving into the independent sector. In 2012 Angie became the Registered Manager for an Independent Fostering Agency having responsibility for three regional offices in Southend, Ipswich and London leaving this position in May 2015. Angie achieved a BSc (hons) degree in Psychology, the Diploma in Social Work and a Level 5 Diploma in Management in Health and Social Care.

Angie sadly passed away after a short but very brave battle with cancer in October 2018. Aspirations Fostering is her legacy and her devoted family along with our dedicated team will continue to provide the same professional, caring and friendly service that earned the trust and respect of so many people throughout Angie’s career.

Ken Johnson (Responsible Individual)

Ken has over 40 years’ experience of working within social care and has held a number of senior management positions. Ken held various operational and managerial positions within Essex County Council Social Services between 1972 and 1989. In 1989 Ken became the Group Director Social Services, Essex County Council. Ken has also worked as a Senior Lecturer in Management and Social Care at Anglia Ruskin University and an Independent Chair for Peterborough Area Child Protection Committee.

Since 1995 Ken has also worked as a counsellor and supervisor having gained his Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy. Ken also has qualifications in Public Relations, Social Work, Management and Education. He is a member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy and is registered with Social Work England.

Liana Gowen (Team Manager)

Liana completed her BA degree in Social Work in South Africa in 1992, where she was born and grew up.  Her first role as social worker was in a multi-disciplinary team working in a rehabilitation unit for people with alcohol-dependency.  This was in the charitable sector.   In 1997 she travelled to the UK and her first role in a children’s home, was the beginning of working with children and young people being Looked After in public care.  Between 1998 and 2023 Liana worked for a Local Authority fostering service, as independent social worker in the fostering sector delivering training (including preparation training), completing assessments and also as a supervising social worker and later registered manager within the private sector. 

Liana pursued an interest in palliative and end-of-life care by working for a local hospice as social worker for children, young people and adults between 2019 and early 2022; and again from 2023- 2025 in a community integration role.  In all these areas of work, Liana has learnt about the positive impact of supportive relationships to foster resilience, promote wellbeing and encourage and enable change where needed.

Rachael Parker (Supervising Social Worker)

Rachael qualified as a Social Worker in 2006 and started work in the Continuing Care Team for Essex where she carried a complex child and family workload, this included family support, child protection, children in need and looked after children. She then moved onto Fostering Recruitment Team working on the duty line taking initial enquiries, carrying out initial assessments in the home to ascertain suitability to foster as well as holding a full case load of Form F assessments which she would eventually present to panel. Rachael also helped run the ‘Skills to Foster’ three-day intensive training course for potential foster carers.

When her daughter started school, she worked as a teaching assistant in two different primary schools where she completed an Elkan speech and language level 3 accreditation and then worked as a specialist TA with children in a group setting and on a one-to-one basis.

In 2019, once her 2nd daughter was in pre-school, Rachael started working for Aspirations Fostering as a panel member as well as completing Form F assessments as an Independent Social Worker. At this time Rachael was also a Supervising Social Worker until August 2022 when she joined Aspirations Fostering team permanently as a Supervising social Worker.

Jenna Beckett (Supervising Social Worker)

Jenna has over 18 years’ experience as an administrator, beginning in 2001 at a local solicitor’s firm. During her time at the solicitors, she completed an NVQ Level 2 in Administration. Prior to this she attended Seevic college studying English, French, Drama and Performing arts at A level.

Jenna then spent 6 years in the motor trade as an administrator and also worked in London as a PA. She currently works with children part-time as a character performer as well as working for a local theatre. She is married and has three daughters aged 13, 11 and 5.

Jenna previously worked as an administrator for Aspirations Fostering before pursuing her university studies. She recently completed a 1st class BA(Hons) degree in social work. She is excited to begin her career as a Social Worker, following in the footsteps of her amazing Mum Angie.

Beci Johnson (Supervising Social Worker)

Beci started her career working in a local primary school for 5 years as a Special Educational Needs Learning Support Assistant. Prior to this she studied A-Levels at college which included Law, Psychology, English Language and Media Studies. Beci also has experience working in the beauty industry as a Beauty Therapist.

In 2012 Beci decided she wanted to follow in her father’s footsteps and completed a degree in social work, achieving a First-class BA hons degree. She then started her social work career at a mental health children’s charity organisation as a Relational Therapeutic Social Worker, supporting children, young people and families. Alongside this role she also supervised a team of volunteer mentors.

Beci has 3 children, aged 4, 13 and 15. Beci is looking forward to starting her new journey working as a Supervising Social Worker at Aspirations Fostering.

Sarah Kinsella (Administrator)

Sarah began her career as a child carer at a local nursery after completing her NVQ level 2 and 3 in childcare.

Sarah started as a nursery nurse and over her 3 years there went on to become 3rd in charge of the day care centre.

Sarah was then offered a job as a full-time nanny and worked with this family for 8 years, leaving only to start her own family in 2014.

Since then, Sarah has completed Level 1 & 2 courses in Bookkeeping, Accounting & Administration. She has successfully run payroll, bookwork and admin duties for small limited companies.

Sarah’s responsibilities include administration, auditing and Panel Administration.

Hayley Kirby (Fostering Support Co-ordinator)

Hayley began her career as a childcare assistant working with a local childminder. She completed an NVQ Level 2 in childcare in 2004. She became a Mum to her son in 2005, and continued to support him whilst pursuing a career as a courier. Hayley then joined her Mum, Angie, to help set up Aspirations Fostering.

Hayley manages the training and referrals for Aspirations Fostering as well as supporting carers and arranging events for our children and Carers, such as Summer Fun Days, Trips, Parties and more.

Summer Rowley-Kirby (Social Media and Advertising)

Summer began her professional career in The Arts when she was just 14 years old. Since then, Summer has studied at The Royal School of Speech and Drama, where she obtained her degree in Contemporary Performance Practices, working with local communities, charities, organisations and young people to create a wide range of theatre. Summer has over five years of facilitation experience, specifically in working with young people.

Summer began working for Aspirations Fostering in 2023 after completing her degree, where she runs Aspirations Fostering’s social media and advertisements. She strives to continue to help young people and put their needs first, just like her mother Angie Kirby, the founder of Aspirations Fostering.