Honours for decades of care in Kirklees
Two long-serving foster carers from Kirklees have been appointed MBEs in the King’s Birthday Honours for outstanding service to children and young people. Pam and Len Pattinson, who fostered with Kirklees Council for 34 years, are recognised for a commitment that saw them welcome more than 100 children and teenagers into their home, often at moments of acute need. Though now retired from fostering, the couple remain in touch with many of those they cared for.
The Pattinsons began fostering after their own children had grown up. Over the following decades they provided stability, routine and family life to young people across the borough, with several maintaining lifelong bonds. Their recognition underscores the vital, often unseen role that local foster carers play in supporting children in care and sustaining the resilience of the wider community.
A breadth of placements shaped by need
The couple’s journey took in an extensive range of placements. Initially they offered long-term care to teenage girls before broadening their support to include short-term and emergency arrangements, and mother-and-baby placements. In a reflection of the trust built with professionals and families, Pam was asked to serve as a birthing partner on eight occasions during her fostering career.
Len’s background as a farmer also fed into their approach. He previously worked with the National Children’s Home, where a farm was attached to the service. Practical, skills-based learning was part of the support offered to young people in their care, helping them build confidence and routine alongside the stability of family life.
“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.”
Pam described fostering as a “wonderful experience”, emphasising the personal rewards that come from seeing children settle and thrive in a safe, caring environment. The couple’s account highlights the flexibility demanded of foster carers locally—responding to emergencies, supporting young parents, and providing long-term constancy when it is most needed.
Community impact and lasting connections
Beyond the day-to-day support, the Pattinsons have remained in contact with many of the children and young people they helped. For some, those ties endure decades on—an indication of the importance of stable relationships throughout and beyond time in care. Their recognition comes as a reminder that, for many families in the borough, fostering is both a practical role and a lasting commitment to young people’s futures.
While the honours spotlight two individuals, the story resonates across Kirklees’ fostering community. Carers frequently navigate complex circumstances: from emergency placements arranged at short notice to the specialist support required in mother-and-baby settings. The Pattinsons’ experience shows how a single household can adapt to meet these varied needs over time, complementing the work of social workers, schools and health services.
Service, skills and support: what their work involved
- Long-term care for teenage girls, providing stability and routine over several years.
- Short-term and emergency placements to give safe harbour at critical times.
- Mother-and-baby support, including Pam acting as birthing partner on eight occasions.
- Practical skills and structure informed by Len’s farming background, including supervised learning for small groups.
The Pattinsons’ contributions illustrate a set of skills that blend compassion with consistency: creating a homely setting, advocating for children’s needs, and coordinating with professionals. Their MBE awards formally acknowledge this sustained public service and the difference it has made in Kirklees.
At a glance
| Service | Detail |
|---|---|
| Years fostering | 34 |
| Children and young people supported | 100+ |
| Placement types | Long-term; short-term; emergency; mother-and-baby |
| Birthing partner occasions | 8 |
Receiving an honour in the King’s list is an exceptional moment for any recipient. For the Pattinsons, it caps more than three decades of care that shaped the lives of scores of children in Kirklees. Their story is a testament to the endurance, adaptability and warmth that define effective fostering, and it offers a clear example of how local families can have a profound, lasting impact.
