'There are lots of misconceptions about fostering'

Adele, from Shrewsbury, said she has always wanted to foster

A fostering agency has said there is a "shortage" of foster parents and is urging more people to consider it.

Families First Fostering is a private agency that works with local authorities in Shropshire and Staffordshire to support 25 foster families.

The agency is celebrating its fifth anniversary, and is using the occasion to encourage more people to think about fostering.

Louise Harkin, who works for the agency, said there are "preconceived notions that these children are 'damaged' - but that's not the case".

Adele, from Shrewsbury, has been fostering for the past four years.

"[It] is something I've wanted to do since I was a little girl," she said.

"They're amazing children," Adele said, adding that "they've obviously had some life experiences that aren't ideal".

Adele - whose last name has been removed to protect her family's identity - has even been nominated for a National Children and Young People Award recognising her dedication.

"[The nomination] is lovely, it's really nice, but for me it's not about awards," she said.

"For me, it's about seeing a child that feels they can get up and face each day, and laugh at least once a day," Adele added.

"I'm happy to just stay in the shadows and let the children shine."

Louise Harkin is an operations manager for Families First Fostering

Families First Fostering, which was recently graded 'outstanding' by Ofsted, specialises in 'therapeutic fostering', which focuses on supporting those who have experienced trauma in early life.

"People have this misconceived idea that these children come from a broken home, and their behaviour is unfixable - that's not the case," said Louise Harkin, who is an operations manager for the agency.

"We've found that with intensive therapeutic support, support with their education, those children will feel that they belong."

Ms Harkin added that there is a perceived shortage of foster families in the region.

"There's more children coming into care, and there's a lack of foster parents for them," she said.

"Really, it's just about putting those children first."

"Of course there are problems and there are challenges, but it's about working through those as a team and a family," Adele added.

She said she would "one hundred per cent" recommend fostering.

"I've done jobs most of my life that are about caring, either for children or for the elderly," Adele said.

"This is just something I never want to not do."