Fostering pioneer Jan Rees receives OBE at Buckingham Palace
Following 30 years of devotion to the care of children and young people in the UK, Jan Rees, foster carer and the executive director of Core Assets Children’s Services Group which has an office on Hale Road, Wendover, has officially received the OBE for Services to Children and Families from Her Majesty the Queen.
Jan Rees is widely considered a pioneer in developing therapeutic foster care services and specialist support for children and families, not just in the UK but around the world. It is the first time that a foster carer, and the fostering sector in general, have been recognised in the honours at this level.
Over the last three decades Jan has been a playgroup worker, a nursery work, a foster carer and adopter for Worcestershire County Council, before helping to establish Foster Care Associates, the UK’s largest independent foster care agency with her husband Jim Cockburn, which specialises in supporting thousands of children, young people and families with complex needs. She has also established a charity for care leavers called The Rees Foundation as well as endowed the Rees Centre, at the University of Oxford, which is dedicated to research to enhance best practice in foster care and education.
Jan was joined by her husband Jim Cockburn to collect the honour from the Queen in a prestigious ceremony at Buckingham Palace. Commenting Jan Rees said: “The whole experience has been quite overwhelming and very humbling. I want to use the recognition that this honour brings to raise the profile of the many unsung heroes in fostering and children’s services who feel as passionate as I do that we can make a positive and lasting difference to children, young people and families.”
Jan was nominated for the honour by her colleagues at Core Assets Children’s Services Group. Commenting on their behalf Sally Melbourne, CEO of Core Assets Childrens Services, said: “Jan’s strength of character, and self-belief that a child deserves the best foster care, drives her commitment to protecting vulnerable looked after young people, both during and after their time in care. She has always challenged convention in the best interest of those in her care to ensure the best outcomes, and has the very rare ability to inspire and encourage all those around her to reach their full potential. We’re all incredibly proud of her.”