Annual Fostering Awards celebrate dedicated Bucks foster carers

Each year, the Fostering Awards shine a spotlight on the dedication and achievements of Buckinghamshire Council’s foster carers, offering a heartfelt thank you for their invaluable commitment to the children in their care.

This year’s event took place at Weston Turville Golf Club on Friday 26 September. Awards are given out for a range of achievements including: Best Newcomer; Respite and Short Breaks Carer of the Year; Family and Friends Foster Carer of the Year and the Willow Award which celebrates courage, dedication and resilience and recognises a show of remarkable perseverance in the face of adversity. An award for outstanding contribution, which recognises the contribution some of our most experienced foster carers make to fostering, was proudly presented by Andy Collins, Buckinghamshire Swan Envoy.

The nominees for this year’s awards were put forward by social workers, fellow foster carers, parents, and others connected to the fostering service. A dedicated judging panel carefully reviewed the nominations before selecting the winners.

Winners on the night were:

• Best Newcomer: Marike and Nardus Kruger
• Respite and Short Breaks Carer of the Year: Nicola Crouch
• The Willow Award: Grace and Oli O'Neill, Rachel and Alex Kirchin
• Family and Friends Carer of the Year: Carole Dean and Jahnice Marshall
• Outstanding Contribution to fostering: Dee and Charlie Reed

The evening also recognised a number of foster carers for their dedicated service with a Long Service Awards, spanning from:

• 5 years’ service: 21 carers (12 households)
• 10 years’ service: 3 carers (2 households)
• 15 years’ service: 5 carers (3 households)

Ade Osibogun, Cabinet Member for Education and Children's Services, said:

“We truly appreciate the commitment of all our foster carers. By providing safe and loving homes, every single one of our foster carers is making a big difference in the lives of children in care. Our annual awards event is a great way to show how much we value them and the incredible work they do every day.

With over 500 children in Buckinghamshire needing caring and supportive homes, we are looking for more local foster carers to ensure that children in care won’t have to move away from everything they know. And while being a foster carer is a big commitment, it can also be incredibly rewarding. We offer professional support for all our foster carers, as well as a variety of community support, extensive training and highly competitive financial allowances to help you every step of the way."

Ade continued: “We also offer an incredible perks and benefits package to our foster carers that is worth over £13,000 and includes perks such as free parking, a full Council Tax refund, Merlin platinum annual passes for the whole family, free gym memberships and much more.

“We’d love more people to join our supportive community of foster carers in Buckinghamshire. By opening your heart and home, you could make a difference in a child's life, offering them safety, stability and care.”

Andy Collins, Buckinghamshire Swan Envoy, joined the celebrations for the evening, presenting an award and sharing words of appreciation for the work that our foster carers are doing across the county: “Since the Lord-Lieutenant made me a Buckinghamshire Swan Envoy, I get to go to places and celebrate people who do amazing work in our community here at Buckinghamshire. Tonight, it has been wonderful to meet so many lovely, kind human beings who just make your heart glow. It’s been a real pleasure to be part of this remarkable evening.”

You can find out more about the perks and benefits package or the support we offer by visiting our website, contacting our friendly fostering team, or booking to attend one of our information events.