01/10/2024
Foster carers from across Northern Ireland gathered together at the weekend for the Northern Ireland Foster Care Awards, a ceremony co-hosted by HSC NI Foster Care and The Fostering Network.
Now in its eighteenth year, the Awards recognise the critical role foster carers have in providing stability, love and care for children and young people who are unable to live with their birth families. A number of HSC NI foster carers and kinship foster carers received special recognition for their outstanding contribution to fostering.
Kerrylee Weatherall, Interim Director of Children’s Community Services who represented HSC NI Foster Care at the event said:
“The Foster Care Awards gives us an opportunity to celebrate our fostering community in Northern Ireland and recognise the contribution that foster carers make to the lives of our children and young people.
By providing safe and nurturing home environments, foster carers are helping to transform lives; giving children and young people a chance to build their confidence, develop their talents and be ambitious for their future. We hope this event goes some way to showing foster carers how much we value them, and appreciate the kindness and support they show children and young people every single day.”
Director of The Fostering Network Northern Ireland, Kathleen Toner, said:
“It is a true honour to be able to recognise these incredible foster carers and kinship carers in this way. Every winner has gone above and beyond for the children and young people in their care, and I hope they are really proud of themselves.
“Being foster carers and kinship carers isn’t always easy, it’s a 24-hour job, so I would like to say thank you to the winners, and all foster and kinship carers, for their hard work and dedication. You are an integral part of our fostering communities and we are so grateful for the work you do.”
Excellence in Foster Care – Maggie Crawford from the Western area
Maggie is described by her fostering social worker Lynn as “the very best of what it means to be a foster carer”. She continues to have strong relationships with the previous children and young people she cared for and loves it when they pop in for dinner and bring their own children. She explains she wants her home to be a “safe haven” for them.
The most difficult moments for Maggie are when the young people are struggling with their sense of self-worth and feel they have no value. She creates a safe and secure environment and communicates to them that they are so valuable. She advocates for them at every turn and lets them know she is in their corner.
Lynn said:
“Maggie approaches each child with a deep sense of understanding, ensuring that they feel valued and heard. This individualised attention helps children rebuild their trust in adults and develop a sense of security.”