Two foster carers from Hull who care for a boy with additional needs have won a prestigious Fostering Excellence Award, recognising their exceptional contributions to foster care.
Pamela and her partner, who foster with Hull Fostering, were awarded The Fostering Network award for foster carers at The Fostering Excellence Awards, sponsored by The Mortgage Brain, in Birmingham in October. The couple look after a boy with additional needs and they have pushed hard to ensure he is listened to, fighting his corner so he has everything he needs and deserves.
This includes finding the right school and spending important one-to-one time with him doing things that he enjoys and making him feel valued. They were nominated for the award by the boy’s sister, Destiny, who said putting them forward for the award was a sign of her and her brother’s gratitude for everything they do.
Destiny said: “We as a family have gained another family with Pam and her partner. They will do anything to make our lives secure and fun.
“They never fail to make my brother feel valued and have shown us what family really means. They are a true credit to the fostering community and should be recognised for everything they do.”
The annual Fostering Excellence Awards are the UK’s most prestigious foster care awards, celebrating outstanding achievements in fostering and recognise those who make exceptional contributions to foster care every day. The award ceremony took place at Birmingham Repertory Theatre, hosted by broadcaster, TV presenter and inspirational speaker Ashley John Baptiste, who grew up in care himself.
Councillor Linda Tock, the portfolio holder for Children’s Services said: “Fostering is an incredibly important and uniquely rewarding role. Pam and her partner are a shining example of how foster carers should be.
“I hope their wonderful story will inspire others in our city to consider fostering.” Chief Executive of The Fostering Network Sarah Thomas said: “This year marks my first Fostering Excellence Awards as CEO and I am over the moon to be able to celebrate the outstanding work of people within our fostering communities in this way.
“It’s been such a joy to read everyone’s stories and hear about exceptional people who go above and beyond to support others. It’s an honour to be able to celebrate these incredible achievements with our annual awards as well as highlight the vital role fostering is playing to those outside the fostering community.”
“The fostering community is truly a special one and all our winners, and everyone else involved in fostering in the UK should be incredibly proud of their contributions to foster care. With more than 7,000 fostering families needed in the UK, it’s vital that we get more exceptional foster carers on board to provide stable homes for children and young people.”
