Meet Saamiya Ahmad, Head of Recruitment and Placements: Behind the Scenes at Rainbow Fostering
A series where we chat with our amazing staff to get to know the faces—and stories—behind Rainbow Fostering.
To celebrate the uniqueness of each person, we’ve paired their stories with portraits inspired by the magical world of Studio Ghibli. Known for its warmth, wonder, and deeply human characters, Ghibli’s storytelling reflects the kind of quiet strength, care, and imagination we see every day at Rainbow. We hope these portraits and conversations bring you closer to the people who make our fostering community so special. Scroll to read…
Getting to Know the Head of Recruitment & Placements (Part 1)
Q: Tell us about your role at Rainbow Fostering Services.
A: I’m the Head of Recruitment and Placement. That means I work closely with new applicants exploring the journey to become foster carers, and I also oversee the team responsible for placing children and young people into the right foster homes. It’s a delicate balance of strategy and heart—choosing and matching children with carers who can truly meet their needs.
Q: What led you to join Rainbow Fostering?
A: This is more than a job for me—it’s a legacy. I’ve grown up seeing the impact of this work since I was a child. After years of watching from the sidelines, I decided to step into the arena myself. I feel like everyone is searching for a job that gives them purpose and I finally found mine. I joined officially a year ago, and I’ve never looked back.
Q: What’s one thing people might not realise about fostering?
A: That it’s as much about growth as it is about giving. Foster carers often say they learn so much about themselves through the journey. It’s not just about opening your home—it’s about expanding your heart and your worldview.
Law, Leadership & Lived Experience (Part 2)
Q: You’ve got a strong legal background—how does that influence your work at Rainbow?
A: Massively. I worked at the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR)’s Legal Protection Unit in London, where I focused on child protection, gender-based violence, family reunification, and asylum support. That experience showed me how important it is to understand systems deeply if you want to change them—and how to advocate for children with both compassion and precision.
Q: What’s your proudest moment from your legal work so far?
A: Definitely assisting refugees in retaining their status in the UK through legal commentary to the Home Office. But also leading a successful class action case on behalf of Muslim students facing racism and Islamophobia. It was personal, powerful, and necessary.
Q: You’ve worked internationally too—tell us more.
A: I was honoured to advise the White House on how to support Afghan refugees, especially with a focus on preserving their Muslim identity. It was an eye-opening experience that blended policy and cultural sensitivity in a really meaningful way.
Q: How did your studies influence your path?
A: I hold a Master of Laws (LLM) in Human Rights from the University of Edinburgh, achieving first class honours. During my LLM, I worked at Shelter and produced a research paper called Realising the Right to Adequate Housing (RTAH) for Minority Ethnic Communities Experiencing Homelessness. It critically analysed Scotland’s proposed Human Rights Bill and its potential impact on minoritised ethnic groups.
That work has since been cited in research used to lobby the government—so seeing it make a real-world difference means a lot to me.
Before that, a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the University of Bristol. That academic grounding gave me both the legal framework and the ethical compass I use every day—whether I’m reviewing a placement or pushing for better outcomes for children and carers.
Life, Lessons & Little Joys (Part 3)
Q: What’s the most rewarding part of your job?
A: When we place a child with a carer who just “gets it.” You can feel the difference immediately. The child relaxes. The carer lights up. Those moments are gold.
Q: And the most challenging?
A: Navigating the urgent need for placements while still upholding high standards. We’re always balancing care with compliance—children’s safety and emotional well-being is at the core of every decision.
Q: What does a typical day look like for you?
A: It’s a mix of meetings, problem-solving, and planning. I could be reviewing foster carer applications in the morning, supporting my team through complex placements after lunch, and working on a campaign to recruit more carers in the afternoon. I also lead some projects with the Youth Participation Team, such as the “In my Words” Project that support children who do not speak english. No two days are the same.
Q: Outside of work, how do you unwind?
A: A pilates class or K-drama, hands down. Give me a good storyline, a bowl of pasta and I’m happy.
Dreams, Direction & Driving Change (Part 4)
Q: What’s your long-term vision for Rainbow Fostering?
A: To be the world’s leading fostering agency in every possible aspect. We are already rated Ofsted Outstanding, but there is so much more I want to do to support children and young people, and also create a great place to work for our staff as well.
Q: If you could wave a magic wand, what’s one thing you’d change in the care system?
A: I’d remove the stigma. So many amazing foster carers and children face misconceptions. Foster care should be seen as a strength, not a stereotype. These are people and stories full of resilience and love.
Q: What advice would you give someone considering fostering?
A: Start with an open heart, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. You don’t have to be perfect—you just have to care. The rest, we’ll guide you through.
Rapid Fire Round: The Lighter Side (Part 5)
Q: Tea or coffee?
A: An iced latte of course. Frothy.
Q: One thing you can’t live without at work?
A: My to-do list (either on paper or ASANA)—it’s chaotic but it keeps me grounded.
Q: A small joy that makes your day better?
A: A good laugh with the team. We work hard, but we find light in the heavy too.
Q: What’s a fun fact people might not know about you?
A: I taught myself French and I’m pretty fluent so I needed a new challenge so…I’m learning Korean! I take classes and I’m pretty committed—numbers 1 to 100,000, I’ve got down!
Q: Favourite quote or mantra?
A: “Open your home, open their world.” It’s the heartbeat of what we do.
