Foster carers and supported lodgings carers in Dorset were recognised at an award ceremony recently for the huge difference they have made to the lives of children and young people by offering them safe and loving homes.
The award categories ranged from recognising long service from 5 years and over through to the Pioneer Award.
Cllr Andrew Parry was one of the hosts at the ceremony. He said: “This is such a wonderful evening which celebrates those who go the extra mile for Dorset’s children and young people.
“It’s important to recognise our foster carers and supported lodgings carers because what they do is invaluable. By opening their hearts and homes to Dorset’s children and young people, they change the direction of young people’s lives for the better. Thank you for all that you do for our fabulous children.”
The Pioneer Award was given to Helena and Graham Sellers for their achievements as home hub carers for the first Mockingbird constellation of fostering families which they were described as doing with ‘commitment, enthusiasm, belief and bags of positive energy’.
The couple was praised for carrying these attributes along their journey and for embedding them into not only theirs, but other constellations. They were described as pioneering in their approach and inspirational in their support to all others and particularly for the love and care they have given to the children they looked after.
Jean Dorey received a standing ovation for her award for fifty years as a foster carer. In her thank you, Jean paid tribute to her late husband, Peter, who had been by her side in looking after the children. She added: “I’m here with friends from north Dorset and it is so lovely to hear about people who have cared for children for five, ten, fifteen years or more. Please keep going because Dorset needs you all and please encourage your friends and family to think about fostering.
Yvette Stanley, Ofsted national director for social care, was the keynote speaker for the event. She said: “We find that children arriving in care have often had a difficult journey that but your love, your care and your tenacity make a huge difference to their happiness. Creating a nurturing environment where children can thrive is not something that is easy but whatever that essential ingredient is, foster carers have it in buckets. We want hope, we want kindness and we want love at the heart of the foster care system.”
Start your fostering career with Dorset Council
On Thursday 25 May we will be holding a careers event at Dorchester Museum from 2-6pm. Drop by and find out more about fostering with us, the support available and what’s involved in the application process.
The fostering team will be on-hand on the day to answer any questions, and existing foster carers will be in attendance to share their true-life experience.
Foster with Dorset Council
Demand for foster carers is high, particularly for teenagers, sibling groups and those with SEND. Our focus is on keeping local children close to their schools, friends and birth families and to avoid sending them out of the county.
If you are interested in becoming a foster carer, or would like to find out more, then head to our website for further information, download an information pack or submit an enquiry.
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