Foster carers recognised at Northern Ireland Foster Care Awards
Foster carers from across Northern Ireland have celebrated together at the Northern Ireland Foster Care Awards hosted by The Fostering Network in partnership with HSC NI Foster Care.
In their nineteenth year, the awards recognise the pivotal role foster carers have in providing stability, love and care for children and young people in foster care. A number of HSC NI foster carers and kinship foster carers received special recognition for their outstanding contribution to fostering.
From the Northern area, Shauna and Christopher Rocks received the Excellence in Kinship Care Award while Eithne and Brian Daly received the Hayley Award for Excellence in Foster Care.
Kerrylee Weatherall, Director of Children’s Community Services who spoke on behalf of HSC NI Foster Care at the event, said: “The NI Foster Care Awards are a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our fostering community and recognise the outstanding contribution that foster carers make to the lives of children and young people. I am so proud of the dedication, resilience and compassion HSC NI foster carers show each and every day.
“Foster carers quite simply transform lives. They support and encourage our children/young people in everything they do, offering a safe and nurturing home environment where children/young people can develop, thrive and reach their goals in life. We hope this event goes some way to showing foster carers how much we value them.”
Kathleen Toner, Director of The Fostering Network Northern Ireland, said: “It is a true honour to be able to recognise these incredible foster carers and kinship carers in this way. Every winner has gone above and beyond for the children and young people in their care, and I hope they are really proud of themselves.
Being foster carers and kinship carers isn’t always easy, it’s a 24-hour job, so I would like to say thank you to the winners, and all foster and kinship carers, for their hard work and dedication. You are an integral part of our fostering communities and we are so grateful for the work you do.”
Excellence in kinship care
Shauna and Christopher Rocks, winners of the Excellence in Kinship Care award, have cared for three siblings since November 2017, providing a home where the children have truly thrived. They have embraced the children as their own, nurturing strong bonds and a deep sense of belonging.
They have supported the children’s emotional wellbeing, education, and community connections, while also facilitating meaningful contact with their birth family in a child-centred, therapeutic way.
Their advocacy has helped one of the children transition to mainstream education, where he has been nominated for the Open College Network Learner of the Year.
Recently, they welcomed a seven-year-old into their home, who was suffering from the effects of trauma, with compassion and cultural sensitivity.
The children describe Shauna and Christopher as kind, loving, and life-changing. Their quiet strength and unwavering care have transformed four young lives and they truly embody what it means to foster with heart.
Excellence in foster care
Eithne and Brian Daly received the Hayley award for Excellence in Foster Care award, having made a lasting impact on the lives of many children and young people over the past six years. Inspired by Eithne’s professional experience in fostering, they’ve provided care to 95 children and young people, ranging from short stays to long-term care.
Their thoughtful and sensitive approach has helped children navigate difficult transitions, build trust, and feel safe. Whether supporting a distressed child or helping a teenager manage boundaries, their care is always grounded in empathy and respect.
They have embraced the cultural needs of young people, celebrating religious traditions and fostering connections with similar communities.
One young person described them as “pillars in every aspect… like family.”
The continued contact with children and young people who moved on from their care speaks volumes about the relationships they build. Eithne and Brian’s authentic, nurturing care makes them truly exceptional foster carers.
The need for more foster carers in Northern Ireland is greater than ever.
For more information call HSC NI Foster Care on 0800 0720 137 or visit adoptionandfostercare.hscni.net to see how you can get involved.
13th October 2025
