Buckinghamshire celebrates remarkable childcare achievements

Almost 70 of Buckinghamshire’s children in care and care leavers have had their achievements celebrated at a special awards event.

The county council hosted the event, now in its seventh year, which recognises and celebrates the personal, academic and sporting achievement of the county’s looked after children and young people leaving care.

Children and young people in care were nominated by professionals working with them in a number of categories including overcoming difficult circumstances, coping well with change and for achievements within education, training or sport.

The county council holds the celebration event every year to recognise and celebrate achievement among the 450 children in its care and its care leavers.

Warren Whyte, cabinet member for children’s services who hosted part of the event, said: “Like all parents, we as ‘corporate parents’ are all proud of our children and young people in care and want to celebrate their achievements, made despite having had some tough challenges to overcome in their young lives. I’m absolutely bowled over by our children and young people in care and leaving care; they have each achieved so much and I want to say well done to every one of them.”

Gladys Rhodes White, interim executive director of children’s services, who co-hosted the event, said: “This has been one of the best days of my year in Buckinghamshire. To hear at first hand and celebrate the incredible achievements of our children in care and care leavers has been awe-inspiring and they all really deserve this recognition.

“I would like to say thank you to our wonderful staff and carers who provide the much-needed support and stability every day that enables our young people to flourish.”