A COUPLE who have been fostering children for almost three decades have been recognised for their service by Worcestershire County Council.
Rob and Audrey Watkin, who live near Redditch, were presented with a certificate of appreciation last Tuesday (February 3) after caring for more than 40 children over a 27 year period.
Mr Watkin, 54, said they started off child minding because they loved children but decided to take it one step further by offering short-term respite care to children aged seven and older. As their three children got older the pair took on responsibility for caring for babies.
“It’s been so nice getting the award as we have been doing this now for so long and will continue to foster for as long as we can.” he added.
“The rewards of fostering have been in seeing how the children develop and, either are then re-united with their own family or adopted.
“We have worked closely with birth parents, which involved supporting them in our homes before their children went back to their care. We also work closely with adopters when the children have moved on to be adopted.”
Nathan Whitley, transformation manager for Children’s Social Care, said: “The love, care and commitment that Audrey and Rob have been able to give to so many children over the last 27 years is truly amazing.
“Often children come to them straight from maternity wards with substantial health needs and the couple set about the long process of getting them healthy and settled until they can return home or moved on permanently to another loving family.
“Many of these children and families Audrey and Rob are still in touch with and from speaking to them I got a real sense that a little bit of each child will always be in their heart.”
