A couple who have cared for a group of siblings for more than 7 years have been handed Ealing Council’s Foster Carer of the Year Award.
Zeineb Sebri and Mukhtar Hassan, who have been fostering for the council for 11 years, were honoured at a ceremony on Saturday (30 November).
They have been caring for 4 children (3 sisters and a brother) and the eldest of the siblings were among those who nominated the couple.
Their nomination read: “When we were living with our family, we had no chance of finishing education. Our carers would go out of their way to make sure that we never had any barriers in the way of school and education.
“They made us feel safe and protected when we were at our most vulnerable. We don’t know any other foster carers who were willing to care for 3 of their own children and agree to foster a sibling group on top of that. In our eyes that shows just how perfect they are both as foster carers and as people.”
‘Heartwarming’
The couple responded, by saying: “We were pleasantly surprised to hear that we are the foster carers of the year. For us, the most heartwarming words written by our foster children were very touching.
“It goes without saying that our lives were enriched by their presence in our household.
“Thank you to all involved that helped and supported us to be part of life changing experience.”
‘An exceptional couple’
Councillor Josh Blacker, the council’s cabinet member for a fairer start, said: “The Foster Carer or the Year Award went to an exceptional couple. Through nurturing the special bond between them, they have created a safe and supportive home for the young people in their care.”
Other award winners
More than 100 people attended the annual Foster Carers’ Awards, to celebrate local carers’ remarkable work and dedication to vulnerable children and young people.
Other awards were given to foster carers who had been caring for 5, 10 and 20 years respectively. Meanwhile, additional awards were given for the following categories:
- Out of Hours Champion Award — Magda Celmer and Marcin Apanowicz
- Special Recognition Kinship Award —Marcia Richards
- Special Recognition Fostering Award — Chinyere Okoro
Carers were nominated by young people and social workers and the winners were chosen by a panel that included previous winners of the awards.
New support programme
The council is setting up a new fostering support group, the Mockingbird programme, which will help foster families to support one another, and to deal with challenges or problems before they escalate. In turn, this will lead to greater stability for the children and young people being cared for.
The Mockingbird programme is one of several new benefits for foster carers being provided by the council. From January, carers will receive an 18.5% payment increase, free parking, free garden waste collection and full council tax exemption for eligible carers.
Councillor Blacker said: “The council has agreed new financial support to foster carers in recognition of the incredible job they do and to attract new carers within the borough. We’re really keen for anyone considering fostering to contact us to find out more.”
Interested in being a foster carer?
For more information about becoming a foster carer, you can call 020 8753 1075 or email contact@fosterwithwestlondon.org.uk or visit the fostering website.
The council’s next fostering information session takes place online at 6pm on Monday 6 January. You can email contact@fosterwithwestlondon.org.uk or call 020 8753 1075 to book your place.
