Award-winning carers go the extra mile in fostering child into adulthood

A couple from Hayling Island who decided to move house to better suit the needs of their disabled foster child have been recognised by Hampshire County Council in its 2022 Children and Families Awards.

David and Diane Stanway’s foster child is nearing adulthood, but the bonds they have developed are so strong, the family has taken steps that will mean they can continue to live with them under the County Council’s?Shared Lives?scheme?–?which matches adults with additional needs to carers who can provide support in their own home. The family home has been put on the market so that they can all move into a bungalow which will be able to accommodate their foster child's increasing physical limitations.

In recognition of the couple’s ongoing commitment, they were honoured with the?Outstanding contribution to the life of a child award?in the Foster Carer category at the Children and Families Awards, held at Winchester’s Great Hall on 14 October.

Congratulating the couple on their achievement, Councillor Roz Chadd, Hampshire County Council's Deputy Leader and Executive Lead Member for Children’s Services, said:?“It is a privilege to recognise David and Diane’s outstanding commitment to caring for a child who, for complex reasons, is unable to live with their birth family.

“They are shining examples of the fine and dedicated work we see day in and day out within our Children and Families service. They have cared for their foster child since they were a baby and have dedicated themselves to putting the child’s welfare first, including ensuring that they have benefitted from an ongoing relationship with the child's birth family. As the child approaches their 18th birthday and their care becomes the responsibility of our Adult Care services, the whole family is working with our social care professionals to plan practical and lifestyle modifications to meet their changing needs.”

The Children and Families Awards reflect outstanding work by Hampshire County Council’s staff and carers, and shine a light on the Hampshire Approach to foster care, the County’s transformative ‘strengths-based’ model for supporting very vulnerable children and families. County Council officers work to develop positive relationships through listening, respecting, and working together with the child, their family and those with a responsibility to them, recognising and building on those strengths to achieve the best outcomes for the child in the long term.

Councillor Chadd added: “We are lucky in Hampshire to have many such foster carers whose quiet dedication has made an enormous difference to the lives of some of our most vulnerable children and young people, although more are always needed. With our upcoming?Foster Focus Week (24-28 October)?we hope to encourage other couples and single adults to think about joining our team of fantastic foster parents.”

Accepting the award alongside her foster child, Diane Stanway said:

“I was really surprised but honoured to be given this award. Every child we’ve looked after has brought something different to our home – and I’d like to thank our link worker for all the support we’ve been given – but having looked after this one for 17 years, we are a proper family and we’re looking forward to the next stage of our life together.”

Foster Focus Week is unique to Hampshire and provides an opportunity to highlight the county’s inspiring fostering community, while calling on more residents to consider taking on this uniquely vital role. Further information about this year’s campaign and becoming a foster carer can be found on the?Fostering Hampshire Children?website.