Carer of the Year nomination – Jock and Sue Irving
Carer of the Year nomination – Jock and Sue Irving
Jock and Sue Irving have fostered 39 babies and young children during their 19 years as foster parents – and adopted two of the babies when new families couldn’t be found for them.
The couple, both aged 57 and from Newstead, already had two teenage children of their own when they decided to become foster carers with Stoke-on-Trent City Council in 2006.
Now the first baby they fostered, then went on to adopt, has just celebrated his 18th birthday.
Jock said: “He was the first baby we fostered and he had complex needs which meant an adopter couldn’t be found for him. We have supported him as best we can.
“As he started to grow he didn’t like older foster children coming into our home. He didn’t handle it well. As a family we decided to stick with fostering younger children.
“A few years after that we did it again when a little boy came to us and a family couldn’t be found for him. We adopted him too.”
Jock and Sue have been nominated in the Carer of the Year category of the Your Heroes Awards by Marie Plant, the Fostering Recruitment Officer at Stoke-on-Trent City Council.
Marie said: “Their commitment to fostering has never wavered. They have raised children of their own but have committed their life to looking after the most vulnerable children in Stoke-on-Trent. Their commitment, love, dedication and stamina shines in everything they do for the babies in their care.
“The couple have moved children on to family members and transitioned little ones to their forever families when they have been adopted. Jock and Sue have always shown professionalism but care and understanding.
“It can be hard to move a child on when they have lived with you from birth until they are turned two years old. Jock and Sue have the mindset that they are here to give the children the best start in life until they are able to live either a family member or adopters for the rest of their lives.
“The couple are also involved with the Foster Carers Association that helps other foster carers to come together with their own children and fostered children at parties and fun days. Both are very supportive of each other and of other foster carers.
“Jock and Sue are an absolute asset to Stoke Fostering. If it wasn’t for people like Jock and Sue we wouldn’t know where we would be. They are just amazing.”