MAUREEN Cushing, from Harlow, the longest serving foster carer (45 years) in the West Essex region, with her award.
A special ceremony was organised at St John’s ARC, Harlow to recognise the hard work and dedication of foster carers in West Essex who have given long service caring for local children.

Jenny Boyd, Director for Local Delivery: Children, Young People and Families, was joined by Stephanie Bishop, Head of Fostering, Adoption and External Placements, to present 27 households with long-service awards including four families who had fostered for 25 years and two families who have given over 30 years’ service.

Maureen Cushing from Harlow is the longest serving foster carer in the region fostering for over 45 years. Maureen has given an incredible 500 children a home at some point in their lives. She said: “It is an amazing feeling to be helping children of all ages and I would encourage others to find out more about fostering. We’re planning to do at least 50 years.”

Councillor Dick Madden, Cabinet Member for Children and Families, said: “I would like to sincerely thank all of our long-servers for the difference they have made to the lives of the children in their care.

“Essex County Council needs more people to apply to foster as each year a number of foster carers retire and need to be replaced. If you would like to find out more about fostering then I’d strongly encourage you to log on to our website or call our Freephone number.”