The ‘Stars of Children and Young People Awards’ is ‘a glittering annual event for the stars in the care of children and young people‘. We are thrilled that two of our amazing foster parents have been shortlisted as finalists. The Awards Ceremony is held in Manchester, mid-May.
We believe that Kate and Linda deserve this this award in recognition of their exceptional and deeply compassionate contributions to fostering. They are highly experienced, profoundly committed, and firmly child-centred carers who, over many years, have transformed the lives of more than 100 children and young people.
Kate and Linda consistently provide a safe, nurturing and stable home, often during times of significant uncertainty and distress. They respond with sensitivity, patience and expertise to a wide range of complex needs, always placing the child’s wellbeing at the centre of their decisions. Their unwavering commitment to helping children achieve the very best outcomes is visible in every aspect of their care.
One of their greatest strengths is their ability to work positively and respectfully with families. They understand the importance of maintaining and supporting family relationships and have helped many children return home safely and successfully. They do this with kindness and without judgement, welcoming parents into their home, sharing meals, and working alongside families in a genuinely collaborative way. They have even supported the reunification of Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children with their birth families, navigating the legal processes with compassion and determination to secure the best outcomes.
Their care often goes far beyond what is expected. Kate and Linda have returned early from their holidays to ensure the children can return to their home and feel secure. They also invest heavily in education and confidence-building. A powerful example is the young person who is now training to become a doctor, despite initially failing science. Linda sat with him, tutored him, and encouraged him until he passed. Stories like this are not unusual for them; they have supported young people into Further Education, University, apprenticeships, and employment. They take pride in helping young people gain independence and essential life skills, with many former foster children remaining in contact and “coming home” to visit them, a testament to the trust, love, and lifelong security they provide.
Together, Kate and Linda bring a unique blend of strengths. Linda offers calm, structured, educational, and academic support. Kate provides practical guidance, reassurance, and everyday life skills, often also supporting new carers through STF training.
They attend all support groups and continuous training sessions, demonstrating their ongoing commitment to learning and improving their practice. They also consistently create memory books with the children in their care, thoughtfully documenting their time together with photos, stories, and achievements. These books often become treasured keepsakes that help children understand their journey and feel valued.
Another example of their exceptional practice is their inclusive and culturally sensitive care. As a same sex couple, they provided a loving home to a Muslim child, embracing and respecting his culture and identity. Their support extended to his wider family, helping his sister pursue a career in pharmaceuticals and supporting the family in securing a suitable property so they could remain close. This reflects their belief that fostering isn’t just about caring for a child, but about strengthening the whole family network wherever possible.
Kate and Linda embody the very best of fostering: kindness, dedication, skill, empathy, and a remarkable capacity to create stability, opportunity, and hope. Their ability to combine professional excellence with genuine warmth and love makes them truly exceptional carers. The impact they have made on children, young people, and families is lasting and life-changing.
They are, without doubt, profoundly deserving of this award.
Would you like to be a foster carer with Hope? Working alongside the most dedicated and wonderful foster parents? Please contact us today.
