Fostering Star Awards 2026

Winners and runners-up Fostering Star Awards 2026

Last updated: 11th August

The Fostering Star Awards took place on Friday 22 May at Lea Hall in Rugeley. The awards celebrate the achievements of foster carers, kinship carers, special guardians and supported lodgings hosts. 

Carers were recognised in 7 categories, 

Rising Star

Winners - Dawn & Robert Brinkley (pictured) with Kelda Clare
Runners up - Tracy & Russell Simms

Images contains 2 foster carers being presented with their fostering award

Inspirational foster carer

Winner - Julie Clarke (pictured left)
Runners up - Alan and Helen Everard

Foster carer presented with their award

Inspirational special guardian

Winners - Beth & Gareth Brown (unable to attend
Runners up -  Annette Brierley & Brian Hollis

Inspirational host

Winner - Craig Hill (pictured)
Runners up - Linda and Peter Dent

Supported lodgings host receiving his award

Making a difference – foster carer

Winner - Joint winners, Jody Thacker, James and Juli Wilson, Jo and Simon Billings, Lisa and Stewart Stirling 
Runners up - Phil and Sam Beard

Making a difference – special guardian 

Winner - Kary and Anthony Brindle (pictured)
Runners up - Suzanne Evetts

Two special guardians being presented with their award

Unsung Hero

Winners - Derek and Jane Dodd (pictured)
Runners up - Mark and Jodie Smith

Carer and her daughter collect their award

An additional managers choice category saw a further 7 foster carers recognised.

Managers choice winners

Denise McAuley
Liz and Richard Fuell
Cliff and Elaine Whiteley
Sonia and Ken Matthews
Nicky and Steve Griffiths
Dee and Ian Midgley 
Lynn and Stuart Harris

This event was a great celebration of our fostering community and marked the end of another successful Foster Care Fortnight