A young mum in North Lincolnshire has been awarded a prestigious Fostering Excellence Award, recognising her outstanding achievements while living in foster care.
Chloe was awarded The Fostering Network award for Young People, sponsored by John Lewis Partnership, at The Fostering Excellence Awards in Birmingham on Tuesday.
Chloe moved in with her foster carers, who foster with North Lincolnshire Council, when her daughter was three months old, and despite facing personal challenges along the way, they have both thrived. Chloe has shown outstanding determination to be the best mum to her baby while juggling GCSE revision and exams.
Chloe recently attended her year 11 prom, passed all her GCSEs, has started college, with a view of one day going to university and received the Achieve and Inspire Award at North Lincolnshire Council’s All Stars Awards last week, at The Baths Hall, Scunthorpe. The All Stars Awards are an annual event that showcases the creativity, talents and achievements of North Lincolnshire’s care experienced children and young people.
Cllr Julie Reed, cabinet member for children, families, and communities, said: “I am immensely proud of Chloe and her achievements both personally and academically.
“She has shown true determination and strength of character in thriving both as a mother and in building her confidence and life for her and her baby.
“The guidance Chloe has received from her foster carers has been paramount and the whole family are an inspiration to us all.”
With the support of her foster carers, Chloe hopes to build a future so she can live independently with her daughter and provide for her family.
Alison Kelly, Fostering Social Worker from North Lincolnshire Council, who nominated Chloe, said: “It’s been amazing to see Chloe’s confidence go from strength-to-strength since coming into care. She’s shown strength, resilience and determination to provide the best life possible for her and her daughter, revising for exams while balancing the challenges that come with being a mum.
“We could not be prouder of Chloe, she is working so hard not only for herself, but for her daughter.”
The annual Fostering Excellence Awards are the UK’s most prestigious foster care awards, celebrating outstanding achievements in fostering and recognising those who make exceptional contributions to foster care every day.
The award ceremony took place at Birmingham Repertory Theatre, hosted by broadcaster, TV presenter and inspirational speaker Ashley John Baptiste, who grew up in care himself.
Chief executive of The Fostering Network, Sarah Thomas, said: “This year marks my first Fostering Excellence Awards as CEO and I am over the moon to be able to celebrate the outstanding work of people within our fostering communities in this way.
“It’s been such a joy to read everyone’s stories and hear about exceptional people who go above and beyond to support others. It’s an honour to be able to celebrate these incredible achievements with our annual awards as well as highlight the vital role fostering is playing to those outside the fostering community.
“The fostering community is truly a special one and all our winners, and everyone else involved in fostering in the UK should be incredibly proud of their contributions to foster care.
“With more than 7,000 fostering families needed in the UK, it’s vital that we get more exceptional foster carers on board to provide stable homes for children and young people.”
To find out more about fostering in North Lincolnshire, visit the website, email fostering@northlincs.gov.uk or call 01724 297024.
