Tributes paid to long-standing Lancing foster carer who dedicated her life to vulnerable young people

Glowing tributes have been paid to a beloved Lancing foster carer, who made a difference to the lives of nearly 300 children.
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Janet Kent, known as Jan, dedicated her life to looking after vulnerable children and is remembered for the care she gave over nearly 60 years, leaving a lasting impact for so many young people.

She died suddenly at the age of 79, leaving behind her husband Tom, who shared in caring for hundreds of children through Rustington-based Compass Fostering.

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Rachel Pilch, communications officer, said: “Everybody at Compass was saddened to hear the news of Jan’s passing and we have been celebrating her amazing fostering journey as it was a huge part of her lifetime.

Tom and Janet Kent with their long service award from Compass FosteringTom and Janet Kent with their long service award from Compass Fostering
Tom and Janet Kent with their long service award from Compass Fostering

“She was a wonderful woman and wanted to show the world some good.

“Jan left a lasting impact on not only the children she cared for but every professional she came into contact with and other foster carers she met along the way.

“Jan had amazing energy and dedicated her life to looking after vulnerable young people. She made sure to a make everybody who entered her home feel warm.”

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Jan and Tom kept ongoing relationships with many of the children they looked after, well into adulthood.

In her last annual review, Jan said: “The most important impact was seeing the children leaving our care go into the world more knowledgeable and adapting to life’s challenges with more confidence and integrity, with love and care.”

Staff at Compass said it was a pleasure to support and work with Jan and Tom. They were committed to fostering, even after so many years, and always showed resilience and flexibility.

Jan believed all young people had potential and never wanted to put pressure on children. Having engaged with teenagers frequently over the years, she felt she was good at helping them turn their lives around.

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Daniel, who moved out in 2016, having lived with Jan and Tom for more than 20 years, said: “Without Tom and Jan, I simply wouldn’t be here. I moved through many foster carers’ homes before I arrived with Tom and Jan.

“I had a lot of difficulties and they stuck by me through it all. Tom and Jan are a massive influence on me and continue to be. They always made me feel part of the family.”

Nico was cared for by Tom and Jan many years ago, moving in when he was 10.

He said: “Both carers went above and beyond to help and support me and put me on the path to success in life. The majority of children who lived with them went on to succeed in life due to the love and care they offered. I didn’t know what a family was until I lived with them, Jan was a real mum to me.

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“There is not enough I can say or do to show them how important they are to me and thank them for never giving up on me.”

Rachel said Compass Fostering could produce pages and pages of achievements and tributes for Jan, as she was loved by so many.

She added: “We hope that this shows how incredible Jan was as a person and foster parent. She always wanted to encourage others to become foster carers as she knew just how rewarding it was, both for foster parents and young vulnerable people.”

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