International centre named after Bromsgrove woman (From Bromsgrove Advertiser)

International centre named after Bromsgrove woman

1:10pm Friday 12th October 2012 in News

A BROMSGROVE woman who has devoted her life to the care of children, has had the honour of having a new international research centre named after her.

A new centre, based in the Department of Education at Oxford University, has been named the Rees Centre after town resident Jan Rees.

Having left school at the age of 15, Jan is a former carer who is a co-founder of the largest independent fostering agency in the UK, Core Assets.

The organisation has head offices in Bromsgrove and has expanded since being founded 18 years ago, employing 1,000 people worldwide, and helping thousands of children.

Launched by Edward Timpson MP, the Minister for Children and Families, the Rees Centre for fostering and education is thought to be the only research unit in the world to examine how policy makers and agencies can improve education outcomes for youngsters in foster care.

Jan said: “I am enormously excited to put my name to the research.

“We hope it will discover more about what makes the best foster parents and what conditions children need to flourish.

“To have Oxford University support our efforts is beyond my wildest expectations and we hope this centre will grow into a worldwide resource.”

The MP said: “We need to know what works and why, so that we can give more children in care a better chance to succeed.

“That is why the work of Rees Centre is so important to children across the country.”

For more details about fostering call Core Assets on freephone 0800 023 4561 or visit iwanttofoster.com.