‘Incredible’ man was committed to helping children

The much-loved director of a pioneering therapeutic community for children has died age 86.

James King led The Caldecott Foundation, based in Smeeth, as their senior director from 1968 to 1993.

The foundation cares for children age between five and 18 who have suffered neglect, trauma and multiple placement breakdowns.

Mr King, the son of a British diplomat, went to Sherbourne School, in Dorset, completed his National Service in 1948 and went on to study French, German and history at Cambridge University.

He worked in the shipping industry and lived in Argentina with his wife Tessa and their children where he decided he wanted to help children in the 1950s.

He discussed opening a school in the capital Buenos Aires with his wife but they were not allowed to because they were not Catholic.

They returned to England in 1961 and were introduced to Leila Rendell, founder of the Caldecott community, who had been working with children affected by separation and loss from their parents after the war.

Mr King began managing two of the boys units and he remained friends with some of those children until the end of his life.

After the death of Leila Rendell in 1968, he went on to become director and senior director and also remained a trustee until his retirement in 1993. He was later a trustee of the Ashford Family Nursery.

A spokesman for the Caldecott Community said his genuine commitment and concern for all the children was recognised by all who lived and worked there.

A recent piece written by one of the children who lived there in the 1980s sad: “It has been over four decades since this incredible human generously guided me through some of my wildest and most difficult years.

“He was such an amazing man and by far the most considerate and balanced person I have ever crossed paths with.

“He offered me encouragement to do the things that brought me true joy, taught me that standing up for those who cannot stand up for themselves is the right thing to do.

“He put everything of himself in to working with – let’s just say challenging – kids for so long.

“He was a lifetime friend and mentor, and ‘Bing’ as he was known by all the children, will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him. “

Mr King leaves his wife Tessa, children Vanessa, Andrew and Matthew, seven grandchildren and one great grandchild.

There will be a small private family funeral, with a memorial service to be held later in the year.

James King, director of Caldecott Foundation, has died