CELEBRATING
SUCCESS Ballymena ards Business Aw2 Page 13
Spirit of Vo lu Awards - Pa teering ge 136
ards Fostering Aw
In a new feature Ulster Tatler highlights some of the recent success stories. If you would like to be included in a future edition contact us on: edit@ulstertatler.com
Giant Spirit Aw Page 142 ards -
Northern Ireland fostering social worker wins prestigious fostering award Fiona Fitzgerald from Newtownabbey has won a Fostering Excellence Award, the UK’s most prestigious fostering accolade, recognising her exceptional contribution to foster care. The Action for Children fostering social worker won the ‘Outstanding Contribution – Social Worker Award’ at The Fostering Network’s annual Fostering Excellence awards ceremony which took place at Birmingham’s Repertory Theatre on 10 November, and was sponsored by The Mortgage Brain. Fiona has worked for Action for Children Northern Ireland since 2011. She was nominated by her manager, David Montgomery, who said: “Fiona is an extraordinary social worker who gives her all to ensure children can achieve the best they can. She is not only an inspiration to our entire fostering service, but everyone working with children in care.” Over the years, Fiona has supported children through thick and thin. Each time she has been fully committed to achieving the best outcomes for the young people involved, which has enabled her to bring about
incredible things for children and young people in foster care. One example is a young person who moved in with one of Fiona’s foster carers had experienced multiple moves, dropped out of education and refused to engage with adults. Fiona worked tirelessly with the foster carer, the young person and their social worker to implement a meticulously executed care plan. The result was that the young person, in their words, had the chance to experience a ‘normal life.’ Elaborating on this, Kevin Williams, chief executive of The Fostering Network, says: “Congratulations to Fiona on winning the Fostering Excellence Award. “Every year it’s a privilege to hear the inspiring stories of those within the fostering community. We are delighted to shine a light on these incredible people, celebrate their achievements and show our appreciation for them. “Our winners and everyone else involved in foster care should be extremely proud of themselves.”
David Montgomery, Fiona Fitzgerald and Ste Fitzgerald.
131
PAGE131-133.indd 1
29/11/2022 12:37
