A PLEA has gone out for more people in Hampshire to put themselves forward to become foster carers.
Over the festive period Councillor Roz Chadd, deputy leader of Hampshire County Council, wrote to the local media calling on more people to consider fostering in the year ahead.
This was in response to a Christmas advert for a well-known department store, which has helped to bring the important role of fostering to national attention.
She said: "As Hampshire council’s lead for children’s services, fostering is a subject close to my heart and one I’d like to bring to your readers’ attention.
"Our Fostering Hampshire Children winter campaign tells the heartfelt story of two children who, like 60 others currently in Hampshire, are waiting for new long-term foster carers to welcome them into their home and care for them.
"While we work very hard to keep families together, there are times when for many complex and varied reasons, children and young people cannot continue to live with their birth families – either in the short or long term."
She said that since 2018, the number of children and young people needing to be looked after has grown by more than 200.
She added: "During this time, the number of fostering households in Hampshire has not kept pace, and with many of our foster carers in their 50s and above, the time will come when they eventually look to retire, hence the need to continually recruit new foster carers.
"While fostering is certainly not without its challenges, it is a hugely rewarding responsibility and there are a wide range of options to work flexibly around people’s different lifestyles and commitments.
"We welcome foster carers from all walks of life, regardless of ethnicity, relationship status or religious beliefs."
There is no upper age limit and people don’t need to own their homes. All prospective carers need is to be aged 21 or over, have a spare room and plenty of patience, resilience, and positivity.
There are allowances for the children in their care, extensive training and ongoing support.
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Cllr Chadd said: "With a child coming into care in Hampshire every 12 hours, we always need more people to come forward and join our amazing community of foster carers."
More information about fostering in Hampshire and details of information events can be found at hants.gov.uk/fostering.
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