By KLTV Newsdesk –

Couple honoured in the King’s Birthday Honours after 34 years of dedicated fostering

Two long-serving foster carers have said they are “shocked but so proud” after being awarded MBEs in the King’s Birthday Honours List in recognition of more than three decades of outstanding service.

Pam and Len Pattinson, who fostered with Kirklees Council for 34 years, cared for more than 100 vulnerable children and young people, providing them not only with a safe place to live but also with a loving family environment and life-changing support.

Although the couple have now retired from fostering, they remain in contact with many of the children they welcomed into their home, with some continuing to regard them as family decades later.

The pair first became foster carers after their own children had grown up and have since dedicated much of their lives to supporting children in care across Kirklees.

‘We thought it must be a scam’

Pam said the news of their royal honour came as a complete surprise.

“We heard about the awards when two letters arrived in the post. It was completely out of the blue, and we really thought it must be a scam.

“Once we knew it was true, we couldn’t believe the honour. These things don’t happen to people like me and Len, so we were shocked but so proud.

“I can honestly say fostering has been a wonderful experience over the years, and it’s something we’re so happy to have done.

“Len was a farmer by trade and used to work for the National Children’s Home, where they had their own farm attached. Len would take six young people at a time to teach them farming.”

More than three decades of changing lives

Throughout their fostering journey, Pam and Len supported children and young people through a wide range of placements.

They began by providing long-term care for teenage girls before expanding into short-term fostering, emergency placements and mother-and-baby placements. Pam was also asked to act as a birthing partner for eight babies during her fostering career.

Reflecting on the experience, Pam said: “We started with long-term fostering, looking after teenage girls. We did this for many years, then went on to short-term fostering, emergencies and also mother and baby placements. I was asked to be a birthing partner for eight babies, which was a wonderful privilege.

“They were all rewarding experiences in their own way. The children learn from you, but we always say we learn from them. You gain something different from each child; this is how you build up your experience.

“We’re just people who get on with something and try to do their best, but it does feel special when you’re making a difference in somebody’s life.

“A lot of the boys and girls have stayed in touch, even after a lot of years. Some are well into their 40s now, but they still think of us as parents.

“Different people go in different ways, of course, but it’s wonderful to see people in good jobs, running their own businesses or making a good life for themselves.

“They have just become part of our family, the same as our own children, so they ring up or call round for tea in all the same ways.

“When you belong to the same home and family, there’s such a closeness. There’s one young man who says being in foster care with Len and myself was the best time of his life, which makes us so proud.

“One of the mother and baby placement always says, ‘thank you, you saved us’. When she heard about the award, she sent us a message saying, ‘I’m so proud to call you MY FAMILY’. It’s little things like this that makes you feel we have done our job well.

“We always had wonderful support from Kirklees Council and very much appreciated everything they did. They looked after us, and they understand the way you work.

“For all those years, we absolutely loved fostering. We would say it’s a special thing for anyone to do.”

‘The honour is thoroughly deserved’

Tom Brailsford, Kirklees Council’s Executive Director for Children and Families, praised the couple’s dedication and the lasting impact they have made on so many young lives.

He said: “We’re thrilled that Pam and Len are receiving MBEs – the honour is thoroughly deserved.

“We want all of our children and young people to have a safe and nurturing home which helps them to thrive and, for more than three decades, Pam and Len provided that vital support.

“The commitment of carers can bring lifelong change in a young person’s life, no matter what their circumstances might be, and we’re immensely proud of the Kirklees fostering family.

“We work with carers every step of the way, and we always want to hear from people who can support our children in care.”

Helping more children stay close to home

Kirklees Council says fostering locally helps children and young people remain close to the people and places that matter most, including their schools, friends and wider family networks.

The council provides foster carers with comprehensive training, ongoing support, and a package of payments and benefits to help them provide stable and nurturing homes.

Inspired by Pam and Len’s remarkable story, the council is encouraging more people to consider fostering and help make a lasting difference to the lives of children and young people in care.

For more information about fostering with Kirklees, visit their website.