Ena Fry, the Fostering Network’s development worker for children and young people for 17 years until her retirement in 2007, has been awarded an MBE for services to children in care in the Queen’s birthday honours list.
During her long career, Ena dedicated herself to making a difference for children in care. She spent her early working years at a children’s home in Portsmouth before moving to London to become an inner-city social worker. Her professional experiences led her to become increasingly concerned about the needs of young people, especially those leaving care and trying to find their feet, and after piloting a supported lodgings scheme for care leavers, Ena went on in 1990 to join the Fostering Network (then called the National Foster Care Association) to run a three-year leaving care project. For Ena, working at the Fostering Network was the chance to develop her belief that empowerment of young people in care was the future, and she was to stay with the charity until she retired late last year.
Her achievements during two decades with the Fostering Network include The Parenting Project, which engaged with young parents in care, and the development of support care which focuses on trying to prevent children from coming into care by providing support to families before problems escalate.
Robert Tapsfield, chief executive of the Fostering Network, said: "We are delighted Ena has been recognised for a life-time of work with looked-after children. Her passion, vision and commitment remained undiminished over four decades of working to create change. Her work has made - and her legacy will continue to make - a huge difference in the lives of thousands of young people. She is truly deserving of this honour."