The National Children & Young People Awards 2021
The aim of the National Children and Young People Awards is to recognize and celebrate excellence nationally within the Social Care Sector.
This year’s awards were endorsed by a number of professionals, including ‘The Department of Health and Social Care’s Minister for Care, Gillian Keegan’, who stated “Congratulations to all the finalists – your contribution and determination every day is inspiring”.
The selection process was robust, with each of our nominees being interviewed by a shortlisting panel, which comprised of a number of well-respected judges from across the sector.
The panel were looking to select staff and Foster Carers who demonstrated excellence in their sector thanks to hard working, dedicated people, who go above and beyond to ensure the best possible outcomes for children and young people, enabling them to live their best possible lives.
This award will be given to a foster carer who, in the opinion of the judges, can demonstrate commitment and perseverance even in the most challenging of circumstances in order to make a difference to the child in their care.
This year, Fostering UK were delighted to find we had been nominated and shortlisted for the following awards:
Employer Awards
This award seeks to acknowledge and celebrate an exceptional employer who is committed to their employees, delivering an excellent service to children, young people, and families. Employers should be able to provide considerable acumen and entrepreneurial flair whilst at the same time having a sustained track record of delivering high quality care and managing improvement and change.
The Newcomer Award
This award seeks to acknowledge and celebrate the achievements of an exceptional new member of staff who has started to work in the care sector since January 2019. The individual can be someone who is new to the sector or returning after at least two years away.
The Foster Carer Award
This award will be given to a foster carer who, in the opinion of the judges, can demonstrate commitment and perseverance even in the most challenging of circumstances in order to make a difference to the child in their care.
The Fostering and Adoption Award
This award recognizes an exceptional fostering and or adoption service that goes above and beyond in striving to find a short-term family and forever families. There should be evidence of a creative approach to overcoming difficulties, as well as supporting families to nurture children through open adoption.
The Children and Families Social Worker Award
This award will be given to the Children and Families Social Worker who exemplifies the profession of social work with children and families. They will display motivation, self-awareness, and resilience, in addition to empathy, leadership, analysis and adaptability, and be an excellent communicator. You will be a truly inspirational individual and a model for the profession.
On 22nd October, the Fostering UK team, alongside our shortlisted Foster Carers, travelled to the ICC Birmingham to see which finalists from across the sector would become champions at the Children and Young People Awards Ceremony.
We are pleased to announce that Fostering UK received a Highly Commended Award in the Employer Award category and our Carers, Tracey and Mike, were also given a Highly Commended Award in the Foster Carer Award category.
With special congratulations to Tracey and Mike, Diana and Dean, Romona and Elwyn, and Esher for all making it to the finals in the Foster Carers category, to Esher again as she was also shortlisted in the Newcomer category, to our Registered Manager, Dawn, who was shortlisted in the Children and Families Social Worker Award category, and to Fostering UK as a whole, who were shortlisted in both the Employer Award and in the Fostering and Adoption Award categories.
To spend time celebrating our work and coming away with two Highly Commended Awards is an absolute triumph when up against such stiff competition, we are immensely proud!