Hull Fostering win Public Sector Children’s Team Award at the prestigious Children and Young People Now Awards
Hull Fostering is absolutely thrilled to announce that we have won the Public Sector Children’s Team Award at the prestigious Children and Young People Now Awards in London! Our Group Manager, Jayne Betts, and Team Manager, Sarah Martindale, proudly attended the ceremony last week, representing the incredible work of our team.
This award is a testament to the dedication, compassion, and tireless efforts of everyone involved in improving the lives of children, young people, and families in Hull. Being recognised on a national level, among over 500 entries from across the UK, is the biggest compliment we could receive.
To stand alongside other outstanding teams was an honour, and we’re so grateful to share this achievement with the amazing fostering community here in Hull.
A Night to Remember
CYP Now Awards
Last week, on Thursday, 28 November, Hull Fostering was named the winner of the Public Sector Children’s Team Award at the Children and Young People Now Awards. The awards aim to showcase innovation and outstanding practice across the children’s services sector and champion the vital work of services supporting children, young people, and families across the UK.
Jayne Betts, Hull Fostering Group Manager, and Sarah Martindale, Hull Fostering Team Manager, attended the awards evening on behalf of Hull Fostering. Jayne expressed her pride -
“Our team was honoured to receive the Children and Young People Now Award for Public Sector Children’s Team.
The award is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and collaboration of our team and our foster carers. Being named as winners against tough competition, while being cheered on by colleagues and peers, made Thursday evening so special.”
Celebrating Our Achievements
Jayne continued -
“The award win is a great way to celebrate the end of the year and all we have achieved in 2024.
National recognition like this raises the profile of fostering and that will support us in our ongoing efforts to recruit more foster carers for children in Hull.”
Sarah Martindale added -
“In a very challenging environment, where more children are coming into care and more foster carers are leaving, it is fantastic that last year we managed to go against the national trend and double the number of foster carers joining our community.”
“We brought the award to our team day yesterday (Wednesday, 4 December). It was a really special way to acknowledge everyone and the hard work that they all put in which has resulted in our team achieving this recognition,” said Sarah.
Laura Gawthorpe, Marketing Officer, noted -
“Being recognised for our recruitment and retention efforts is incredibly meaningful to us.”
Recognising Our Finalists
Jayne and Sarah were joined by representatives of our teams who were also named as finalists at the awards.
- Anna Richardson - Children’s Homes Manager
- Charlie Martin - Children’s Homes Manager
- Tom Bussey - Social Worker, RAST
- Stephanie Darnes - Social Worker, RAST
- Claire Rutherford - Principal Social Worke
- Georgia Vickers - Practice Lead Social Worker
They were joined by Mike Foers, Integrated Care Board, and Councillor Linda Tock, Portfolio Holder.
The finalist teams received national recognition for the work they do and the impact it has on children and families in Hull at the event -
- Children’s Homes and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) Children Looked After (CLA) Team shortlisted for The Partnership Working Award
- Refugee and Asylum Seeking Team (RAST) shortlisted for The Supporting Child Refugees Award
- Social Work Academy shortlisted for The Workforce Development Award
We are incredibly proud of our team’s achievements and the positive impact we are making in the lives of children and families in Hull. Thank you to everyone who has supported us on this journey. Together, we are making a difference!
