Karen Reade

Mrs Reade, manager at the Fostering Placement Service, set to retire in September after 41 years working in child social care services.
‘I’ve loved my working life. It’s been a privilege to work with so many children, young people, families, colleagues and carers over the years,’ she said. 
‘It’s the people I’m really going to miss.
‘I’ve worked in fostering and adoption for most of my career with many foster carers, adopters, kinship carers, befrienders and short-break carers for children with disability. 
'I have seen the difference that they can make to the lives of children and young people who can’t, for whatever reason, live within their family.
‘The most rewarding part of my career has been seeing the difference those working with and caring for children and young people make to their lives, and seeing children who can’t return to live with their families being able to live in a family setting where they are nurtured and can grow in confidence and flourish.
‘The work that carers do is amazing and they really are the unsung heroes.’
Mrs Reade's nominator said: ‘Even though she is now management, she still has time to talk to the foster carers and really cares about them.
‘She listens compassionately and due to her years of experience, she has lots of wise advice.
‘Karen knows all the ins and outs and knows how to get the best out of people.’