Celebrating Southend’s fabulous foster carers!
Published Thursday 22nd September 11 in Council - news and information releases news
Southend’s big-hearted foster carers are being honoured on Thursday 29th September for tirelessly nurturing the children they look after.
Their fostering achievements, ranging from one year to 30 years of continuous service will be recognised at a special ceremony at the Park View Rooms in Chalkwell Park.
The Worshipful the Mayor of Southend, Councillor David Norman, and other senior Southend-on-Sea Borough Council officials, will present them with their well-deserved awards at this event, followed by a buffet supper.
Executive Councillor for Children and Learning, Councillor Mark Flewitt said: "Our foster carers make an immeasurable contribution to the lives of looked after children in our community.
"This long service award ceremony is a way for us to formally show our huge appreciation for their tremendous commitment and level of care.
"By opening their homes and their hearts to youngsters at crucial times, they can massively improve the educational opportunities, social, health and economic well-being of the children in their care.
"We are always seeking more foster carers from all sections of our diverse borough, and we would urge anyone who might be considering fostering, to contact us as soon as possible.
"Our foster carers frequently tell us how rewarding they find it. The more local foster carers we have, the easier it is to match children's needs locally, and the less we would have to arrange placements outside the borough for them.
"This would help avoid children suffering the added disruption of being uprooted to unfamiliar locations, and having to break off from their regular friendship groups, or after school clubs."