Foster carers celebrated at annual awards

Lincolnshire’s fostering community has come together to celebrate those who have gone above and beyond to help children in care

Over 70 local foster carers were recognised with awards for long service (see notes to editors), including Steve and Rose Cox, who have been fostering for 35 years, Rob and Margaret Isdale, who have fostered for 30 years, and Di and Mick Bennett and Mark and Gillian Harman, who have all fostered for 25 years.

In addition, there were special recognition awards for those who have made a major difference to the life of a child in care (see notes to editors) and special mention to those who have successfully completed their learning homes award and those who have continued to support young people after they turned 16 as part of the Staying Put scheme. Newly-approved fostering households were also welcomed into the community.

During a ceremony held via Zoom, there were messages of thanks, including from Lincolnshire County Council’s chief executive Debbie Barnes and staff at the Theatre Royal in Lincoln. There were also surprise videos from Heart FM’s Pandora Christine and Lincoln City FC’s Jamie Robson, Ted Bishop and Remy Longdon.

Cllr Mrs Patricia Bradwell OBE, executive member for children’s services, said: “Our foster carers do an amazing job looking after the county’s most vulnerable children and the annual awards are a way of saying thank you.

“That so many people deserved to be recognised for their contribution underlines just how strong the fostering community is in Lincolnshire. However, there’s always a need for new people to come forward.

“Being a foster carer can be challenging, but it’s also hugely rewarding. Foster carers often speak of a sense of pride in seeing the child develop and flourish, and, in terms of practicalities, there is a fostering allowance as well as additional support and training.

“So if you think you could make a life-changing difference to a child in need, please get in touch.”

If you are interested in fostering, visit www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/fostering. You can also get in touch with the fostering team by calling 01522 554114.

Each application to foster is considered on an individual basis and you can be a foster carer regardless of your marital status, sexuality, employment status, ethnicity or religion. However, you do need to have a spare bedroom for a child or young person to use.  

Special recognition awards

• Virtual School Award – Presented to Karen and Andy Fillingham-Doyle and Debbie Cotton for outstanding practice and outcomes for children in education.

• FAST Award – Presented to Mark and Lesley Bradbury for outstanding practice and outcomes for children.

• Child in Care Team Award – Presented to Iain and Michelle MacDonald, Hazel and Colin Shaw, Richard and Judith Clare, Steve and Tracey Tyrell, Linda Wright, and Richard Ayres for outstanding practice and outcomes for children.

• Community Award – Presented to Tracy Chapman for her positive contributions to the foster care community.

• Support to the Fostering Service Award – Presented to John Gowans for going above and beyond in supporting the service.

• The Independent Reviewing Officer Award – Debbie Cotton, Chris and Jo Edwards, and Tracy and Martin Chapman for going above and beyond for the children in their care.

Long Service Awards:

• 35 years’ service    Steve and Rose Cox

• 30 years’ service    Rob and Margaret Isdale

• 25 years’ service    Di and Mick Bennett & Mark and Gillian Harman

• 20 years’ service     Mike and Michelle Dean,   Gary and Julia Ellis,  Kathy Hester, Lee and Donna Ivatt, Ricky and Jackie Tilbury ,Paul and Jane Petch & Chris and Jo Edwards

• 15 years’ service     Stephen and Carolyne Pitwell,  Darren and Sadie Ralph,   Neil and Tina Swift

• 10 years’ service    Claire Buffham,  Jon and Lisa Burrows,  Neil Eddinson and Andrew Dickinson,  Gordon and Carole Glasson,  Roger and Pamela Guest,  Simon and Elaine Parker,  Sue Renner,  Mark and Lydia Sheldon,  Lee and Kim Taylor, Jane Webster,  Tony and Deirdre Wilding,  Neil and Rosemarie Blow & Karen Humpage

• 5 years’ service  Ruth Anderson,  Richard Ayres,  Stacy Bennett,  Lynne Borman,  John and Paula Clayton,  Matthew and Rachel Cook, Tina Doherty, Shelley Durrant, Bryan and Karen Elwick, Anna Filipiak, Che and Jo Graves, David and Carole Guy, Jamie and Angie Lawie, Glynne and Diana Morgan, Gary and Sally Pacey, Ann Wright, Joe and Sally McConnell