The Bostock Family – Carer of the Year nomination

The Bostock Family – Carer of the Year nomination

A Stoke-on-Trent family have welcomed more than 40 foster children into their home over the past 14 years, including a one-day-old baby.

Fostering has become such an everyday part of their life that Nick and Katy Bostock’s 19-year-old daughter is aiming to become a foster carer for teenagers after she graduates from university.

Nick and Katy have been fostering through Stoke-on-Trent City Council since 2012 and have fostered up to five children at any one time, even moving house to be able to foster more.

Their own two children, now aged 17 and 19, were aged just two and four when the family’s fostering journey began.

The family have been nominated in the Carer of the Year category of the Your Heroes Awards by Marie Plant from the Fostering Team at Stoke-on-Trent City Council.

She said: “Katy and Nick provide a loving and nurturing home for three young children, two of whom are the same age and share very similar personalities. They have shown exceptional dedication and emotional resilience while supporting the older children through complex and often uncertain care plans.

“Katy and Nick always respond with compassion and professionalism, immediately opening their home again without hesitation. The breakdown of placements can be an incredibly distressing and confusing experience for children, yet Katy and Nick have worked tirelessly to provide reassurance, stability and emotional safety during these transitions. They have been deeply attuned to the children’s emotional needs, offering consistent care, comfort and understanding to help them process disappointment, loss and change.

“Their ability to prioritise the children’s wellbeing above all else has allowed the children to re settle and feel secure, supported and valued during what could otherwise have been a very unsettling time.

“Central to this nurturing environment are Katy and Nick’s daughters, Daisy and Poppy, who play a vital and meaningful role in the family’s fostering journey. Daisy and Poppy have shown remarkable kindness, patience and maturity, actively supporting the three children in their care and helping them feel welcomed, included and safe. Their willingness to share their parents, their home and their everyday family life has been instrumental in helping the children rebuild trust and form positive relationships.

“Together Katy and Nick with the invaluable support of Daisy and Poppy have created a warm, resilient and emotionally supportive family environment. Their approach reflects a deep commitment to meeting children where they are, especially during times of loss and uncertainty.

“Their compassion, strength and child centred values truly exemplify the very best of fostering and the positive impact they continue to have on the lives of the children in their care cannot be overstated.”

Katy said: “Being part of a fostering family has given Poppy and Daisy stepping stones. One is thriving at University and aspires to foster teenagers and the other wants to train to become a paramedic.

“If anyone reading this is considering becoming a foster carer I’ve advise them to look at Facebook or Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s website. Fostering is something I’ve never regretted it.”