Do you or someone in your family serve in the Armed Forces in Hampshire? Could you make a difference at home as well as in your career?

Around 10 per cent of the Hampshire population is currently serving in the Armed Forces and in January 2023 this equated to around 12,650 military personnel and 4,770 civilians, working to keep our country safe.

Hampshire County Council Fostering Service is inviting armed forces members across military organisations in Hampshire to consider fostering vulnerable children in their communities.

Military families have incredible resilience, a core commitment to supporting their communities and country, and an ability to deal with change with little notice.

Their experiences of moving home, being away from family and having to build new connections give them a strong foundation from which to identify and empathise with children in care.Rated outstanding by Ofsted, Hampshire County Council Fostering Service provides extensive training, support and generous allowances to its registered foster carers. They are looking for more carers to help vulnerable young people in their communities.

Caroline, a registered foster carer with Hampshire County Council Fostering Service, is part of a military family.

She says:  “Growing up in the military, and then being a serving member, stood me in good stead for widening the bubble that we call family, by becoming a foster carer.

“The importance in the military of code, honour, integrity, service and duty has led to a value of social responsibility which informed my decision to become a foster carer.

“The  ethos of team, , and the understanding and importance of activities often within teams to gain confidence and resilience, has influenced the way I guide and support my foster children, by championing them to go further than they think they can.”

If you are a member of the armed forces and would like to find more about fostering, visit hants.gov.uk/armedforces or sign up for a virtual Q&A session with Hampshire County Council Fostering Service: Events and stories | Health and social care | Hampshire County Council (hants.gov.uk)