Celebrating 380 Years Of Foster Caring
Twenty foster carers from Somerset who have clocked up over 380 years of caring for vulnerable young people received awards from Somerset County Council at a special celebratory event recently.
At the awards ceremony, which took place at Oake Manor Golf Club, 12 foster carers received awards for 15 years service and 8 got awards for 25 years service. They care for vulnerable young people in places all over the County, including Taunton, Martock, Stoke-sub-Hambdon, Shepton Mallet, Ashill and Wells.
There are currently around 230 children and young people in the County who are living with foster carers. There are many reasons why they cannot live with their families. Foster care provides a secure and stable home for the children and young people, helping them to either move back into their family, move on to permanent new families or to live independently.
Those receiving awards included Frances and Andrew Heath-Coleman from Pitminster (15 years), Pauline Harrison from Fivehead (15 years) and Ron and Mavis Major from Ashill (25 years).
Mr and Mrs Major have been foster carers in different areas for almost 40 years and are just as enthusiastic today as when they started. Mrs Major said: “Ever since we cared for our first foster child, a little boy, we have just loved doing it and can’t stop. A friend recommended foster caring to us and we have recommended it to our friends. You need a lot of love, a lot of patience, but mainly you have to be understanding. It has been wonderful to help families all these years and we are looking forward to continuing for a long time yet.” The Majors recently celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary and were joined at a huge party by their children, grandchildren and some of the children they have fostered over the years.
Councillor Pauline Clarke, said: “Somerset County Council is very proud to be able to recognise the invaluable contribution that foster carers make to our society. Fostering is hugely rewarding but of course can be challenging at times, as children and young people can often feel upset and angry about leaving their family. By devoting so many years to caring for those vulnerable young people, these foster carers have made a real difference in Somerset.”
The foster carers are well supported by the Council’s Fostering Service, which along with the Adoption Service was praised following recent inspections by the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills (Ofsted).
Both Fostering and Adoption services have been officially classed as “Good”.
These services play a vital part in the well-being of some of the County’s most vulnerable children and young people. The Fostering Service helps foster carers to look after children and young people while their own family is unable look after them. The Adoption Service not only places children with appropriate adoptive parents, it also provides an ongoing support service for children, birth parents and adoptive parents too.
The report about the Adoption Service praised the “great care and attention” with which suitable people are chosen to adopt and complimented the support given to birth parents. It also said that Somerset County Council has “made considerable strides since the last inspection” and “is well positioned to continue improving”. Ofsted described Somerset County Council’s support for the birth family and sensitivity to children’s birth history as “outstanding”, the highest rating possible. Most importantly the report refers to the service consistently focusing on the needs of the child.
In delivering the “Good” verdict on the Fostering service, the report found that: “The service is well managed and staffed by experienced and professionally qualified practitioners.” It also states: “Foster carers are properly recruited, trained and supported.”
Councillor Pauline Clarke, Somerset County Council’s Portfolio-Holder for Children’s Social Care, said: “I am very pleased that both our Fostering and Adoption services have been recognised by Ofsted for the high standards they provide. I am very grateful to all the people who contributed to this achievement and would also like to thank all the foster carers with whom we work in partnership to make a difference to the lives of vulnerable young people in Somerset.”
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