Royal recognition for Tooting mum’s adoption and fostering work

A mother from Tooting who manages adoption and fostering services for a London council has been recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list for her outstanding work in the sector.

Susanna Daus, who is a trustee of The Fostering Network, the UK’s leading fostering charity, alongside working for Islington Council, will be awarded a British Empire Medal for services to adoption and fostering.

“It’s fantastic and I’m very flattered, but a little embarrassed, to be recognised,” said Susanna, who has two adult daughters. “But this is a great way to talk about the amazing work of foster carers, and the need for more foster carers and adopters to look after very special children and young people across London.

“It is amazing how children thrive and develop in good foster homes, and I think anyone who really wants to do the best for the young person can become a great foster carer. Still too many children and young people are fostered outside London, and we want to change that.

“There are still a lot of misconceptions out there about fostering and adoption – it doesn’t matter whether or not you have your own children, or if you own or rent your home, and we welcome people regardless of sexuality, faith or ethnicity.

“What matters is that adopters can offer stable, loving homes forever. We need people of all backgrounds to meet the needs of the child, because every child is so different and special to us.”

Susanna, who started her career as a social worker in Merton and worked in Wandsworth for 20 years before moving on to Islington Council, is regularly consulted by the Department for Education for advice and feedback on national policy.

She has been involved with The Fostering Network for a number of years and as a trustee has discussed adoption policy with the then Prime Minister David Cameron in 2011 and welcomed the Duchess of Cambridge to afternoon tea with 50 Islington foster carers at the Islington Children’s Centre in 2015.

On the Duchess of Cambridge’s visit, Susanna said: “What was lovely for the carers was how incredibly interested she was in listening to our foster carers tell her about the importance of fostering. She was really warm and open with everyone.”

The Fostering Network is the UK’s leading fostering charity and membership organisation, bringing together everyone who is involved in the lives of fostered children to make foster care the very best it can be.

Looking back over her career, she added: “I love working in fostering and adoption – it is exciting and rewarding, and everyone is very committed. It’s always rewarding to see young people thrive and grow with their foster carers.”

If you are interested in finding out more about fostering an adoption, contact your local council’s fostering and adoption service.