Foster Birmingham, Birmingham Children’s Trust Fostering Agency, is delighted to announce that four of its foster carers have been recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours List for their incredible support provided to foster children and young people in their care.
Mandy and Colin Blair, and Claire Robinson, all received an OBE, and Tahira Ali was awarded an MBE.
James Thomas, Chief Executive of Birmingham Children’s Trust said: “Everyone at Birmingham Children’s Trust is delighted that Mandy, Colin, Claire and Tahira have been recognised by King Charles in his birthday honours. I want to congratulate them all for the years of dedicated support to children who have experienced trauma and needed stability and care at a crucial time.”
“Providing a loving and welcoming home for some of the most vulnerable children and young people in Birmingham requires a unique set of skills, from patience and persistence to being a fantastic listener and teacher, all skills that our four recognised foster carers have in abundance. A huge well done.”
Mandy and Colin Blair
Mandy and Colin have dedicated 23 years to fostering children for Birmingham Children’s Trust, welcoming over 300 children into their home, many of whom have complex needs.
Mandy and Colin are always striving and stretching themselves to make their knowledge and experience work harder for the children they care for. They completed specialist training with health professionals that helped them manage a child’s health condition, enabling the child to enjoy greater independence and freedom. They readily share their knowledge and expertise to support other foster carers and professionals.
Mandy and Colin also have a strong drive to care for children who have previously lived in residential care and have supported children to join their loving foster family from children’s homes. They provide a ‘pen pal’ service to children who remain in residential care to help them feel less excluded from the outside world.
On receiving the news that they have been awarded an OBE Mandy said she and Colin were: “Absolutely gobsmacked; Things like this don’t happen to people like us.”
Claire Robinson
Claire started her fostering journey four years ago as a kinship carer for her nieces alongside her own three children.
Right from the start of the process, Claire was totally child-focused – taking time to understand what the role would entail, what support she would need, and how best she could meet her nieces’ needs.
Claire was dedicated carer and committed advocate for her nieces, recognising their sibling bond, as well as their relationship as part of her family. The children thrived in her care, responding positively to being part of a loving, stable family where they felt safe and secure.
Claire subsequently secured a Special Guardianship Order for both children in May 2025, enabling her to provide a long-term home for her nieces as part of her family.
Claire said she was: “over the moon” and “very excited” to be recognised with an OBE.
Tahira Ali
Tahira is a proactive and dedicated foster carer who has spent 20 years caring for children and transforming their lives. She provides a loving home and cares for each child as if they were her own, making them feel part of something truly special.
Tahira goes the extra mile for every child she cares for, creating lasting memories and ensuring they feel part of a loving family. Tahira adopted one of the first children she fostered and has supported them through complicated surgeries and health uncertainties, advocating to ensure that all the child’s needs are met.
Tahira is extremely child-focussed and nothing is too much trouble when it comes to ensuring every child she cares for feels safe, secure and loved.
On receiving the news that she has been awarded an MBE, Tahira said: “I’m so honoured. In my eyes I don’t think I’m doing anything out of the ordinary.”
Foster Birmingham is incredibly proud of all four carers and the lasting difference they continue to make to the lives of children and young people across the city. Their recognition in The King’s Honours highlights the vital role foster carers play in building brighter futures, and we hope their achievements inspire others to consider fostering.
Become a Birmingham Foster Carer
Call our friendly team today on 0121 303 7575, or enquire online.
