A fostering services manager who works at the Foster Care Associates (FCA) regional office at Oakham Business Park, Mansfield, has been awarded for his commitment to fostering children.

Alan Wood and his partner, Rolfe Pearce, were presented with the Foster Carers of Distinction Award at the annual FosterTalk Foster Carer Awards in London.

They were among 10 winners from across the UK recognised for their dedication to fostering.
FosterTalk was set up to provide nationwide specialist independent support to foster carers in areas including legal and financial advice and counselling. The awards were launched last year to mark the 10th anniversary of the service.

Alan and Rolfe, who have been foster carers for seven years, were nominated by their supervising social worker, Marina Morgani.

She said: “As two male carers, Alan and Rolfe are outstanding role models for young people. They both base their lives around the needs and routines of young people in their care and put 100 per cent effort into their role. They are highly-motivated foster carers and work relentlessly to promote empowerment, identity and support for young people in care.”

They became foster carers when Rolfe gave up his corporate job to give something back to the community. He became a full-time foster carer with Alan as a secondary foster carer.

Alan said: “The award confirms that it doesn’t matter who you are as long as you can offer a space in your home to help vulnerable children. We didn’t think that a same-sex couple would be able to foster but you can.
“We have cared for three long-term placements so far and we love what we do. We hope this award will encourage more same-sex couples to come forward as foster carers. You don’t need parental experience, you just need patience, understanding and love to make room in your life to care for a young person.”

For more information about FosterTalk and its membership support for foster carers throughout the UK, visit: www.fostertalk.org or phone: 01527 836910.