THE annual Fostering Awards Ceremony was held last month to recognise foster carers across Wokingham borough.
The awards were held during Foster Care Fortnight, an annual campaign spearheaded by The Fostering Network to raise the profile of fostering and show how foster care transforms lives.
The awards have been running since 2014, to recognise the hard work, dedication, and commitment to changing the lives of children and young people across the borough.
The number of children needing foster homes has increased by a third over the past couple of years.
A total of 16 awards were up for grabs, with nominations put forward by members of the children’s social care team and presented by Cllr Keith Baker, the 2021/22 mayor of Wokingham Borough Council.
Colin Haines won two awards with the first being the Outstanding Contribution to Recruitment, which recognised his work with the family placement team to recruit new foster carers.
Mr Haines also won the Ron Rowley Award for exceptional contribution to fostering, alongside his wife Jo.
Jackie Ross, recruitment and marketing officer, said: “Colin is always enthusiastic, down-to-earth and reassuring when discussing his experiences at our online information events which undoubtedly helps persuade our would-be foster carers to take the next step and join our fostering family.”
The Ron Rowley Award was created in honour of a much-valued foster carer, who passed away shortly after celebrating 20 years fostering with the council.
The award was introduced by his wife Cathy, who is still part of the fostering family and won an award herself earlier in the afternoon.
Adella Mutero, supervising social worker, said: “Colin and Jo were named exceptional foster carers due to their commitment and perseverance, alongside an enormous capacity to love and care for our children.
“They have been fostering for many years with the council and have a fantastic reputation within the local authority and with birth families of the children they have cared for.”
Other awards on the day included families who cared for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children, who were new to foster caring and who showed commitment to education, as well as long service awards ranging from five to 20 years.
A group of siblings were awarded the sons and daughters award, after spending time with the biological children from a prospective foster family to share their experiences, empowering the other children to feel comfortable and giving them a better understanding of what fostering is like from a child’s point of view.
Cllr Prue Bray, executive member for children’s services, said: “Foster carers are remarkable in their care and passion for children and young people in their care and the fostering awards offer us a small chance to say a big thank you.”
