Fostering: Family and foster child on power of caring as Christmas approaches

Dominic has celebrated Christmas with Alison and Paul Blacker since he was eight

A couple who foster children in North Yorkshire have celebrated Christmas for 20 years with one of the youngsters they cared for.

Paul Blacker, from Scarborough, fostered Dominic when he was aged eight. He was still living at his home when Mr Blacker met his wife, Alison.

The couple went on to look after more than 40 children for the council's fostering service.

Dominic said he could not "overstate the effect they've had on my life".

Dominic, 29, now works as a human resources business partner in London and lives in Stockton with his girlfriend, Katie.

He said: "My story wouldn't be the same without Paul and Alison, they gave me a great foundation to build on.

"They took a risk taking me on as they had their own children, and I wasn't easy. It just shows that the right carers remove barriers and unlock potential."

He said that some of his other foster carers "didn't work out" and that no-one should feel bad when that happened.

"You can still make little ripples of change with the children you have, even if you have them for a short time.

"If anyone is thinking about becoming a foster carer, then the more life experience you have, the better.

"The best carers are the ones you don't expect," he said.

'So proud'

With Mr and Mrs Blacker's support, Dominic studied at Scarborough Sixth Form College before going to Lincoln University and then completing a master's degree in human resources.

The couple also have four children of their own and Mr Blacker, 56, said Dominic had "always been part of our family and we're so proud of what he's achieved".

He said fostering could be a "great career choice" for anyone who wanted to make a difference to others.

Mrs Blacker, 52, said she felt "blessed" to be a foster carer.

"It's wonderful to see them when they're older and what they've made of their lives," she said.

"Dominic has made us so proud."