Inspirational agent receives excellence award from foster charity

An inspirational young estate agent from Henley-on-Thames has received a prestigious national award for young people who have experience of living in foster care.

Emma Lakin won the Outstanding Achievement Award at The Fostering Network’s Fostering Excellence Awards.

The award is presented to those who have succeeded through foster care against the odds.

A statement from the organisers says that having been in foster care since the age of three, Emma had a turbulent childhood and lacked self-esteem. The support from her foster carers helped her to become a strong, confident young woman with a successful business and a growing family. 

Emma recently got married and is running an estate agent business with her husband Chris.

While living with her foster carers Emma played a significant role in the household, helping other fostered children settle in and even becoming a support carer for her foster carers. She is a passionate advocate for foster care, giving talks for her local authority and championing recruitment campaigns.

Emma’s foster carer, Lynne, who nominated her said: “We are extremely proud of Emma. Despite her difficult start to life she has achieved her goals and is committed to helping others in their journey through life. We think she’s amazing.”

Emma collected the award this month at The Fostering Excellence Awards ceremony in London. The awards, now in their fourth year, recognise people who make exceptional contributions to foster care, whether they are social workers, foster carers, care experienced young people or the children of fostering families.