TACT foster carers, Deputy Area Manager Priscilla Makambe and CEO Andy Elvin, were among special guests at an event at No.10 Downing Street to mark Foster Care Fortnight today.

The Rt Hon Gillian Keegan MP, Secretary of State for Education, hosted the occasion which was held to celebrate foster carers and the vital role they play in improving the lives of children and young people in the care system.

TACT CEO Andy Elvin said, “It was great to hear so may inspiring, passionate and pertinent speeches from foster carers and good to see Ministers engaging directly with some of the issues and challenges that the system puts in the way of foster families”.

The event was attended by Minister Coutinho, the Department for Education minister for Children, Families and Wellbeing who spoke with Foster Carers and Fostering organisations to listen to and learn from their experiences.

Mark, a TACT Cymru foster carer said, “It was nice to see the two Ministers very interested in what we had to say. There were foster carers with poignant stories and the DfE listened and took notes. It was a very positive event”.

Mohammed and Sharon, TACT foster carers said, “The entire experience at 10 Downing Street has not only strengthened our resolve to give the best care to the foster children in our care, but it has also reconfirmed our belief that foster caring is a work of the heart”.

Andy Elvin continued, “This is the first time, as far as we are aware, that Number 10 have hosted an event specifically for and about foster care. Secretary of State for Education Gillian Keegan and Children’s Minister Claire Coutinho are to be congratulated for organising such an event.

Hopefully this dialogue will continue and through the DfE ‘Safe & Stable Homes built on Love” approach we will see concrete action taken”.