'Fostering feels like being any other kind of parent'

Joeanne has been looking after children for seven years in Wiltshire

A foster carer said the role "feels like being any other kind of parent" and has urged more people to take children in.

Nationally, fewer people are applying to become foster carers with many also leaving, while the number of children in care is also rising.

Joeanne, who has looked after children with Wiltshire Council for seven years, wants more people to help buck current trends.

"For somebody who is thinking about doing it, I think just go and do it. It enriches your life, the children's life," she said.

Joeanne, who used to work in education with children who were in care, said: "It feels like being any other kind of parent.

"I thoroughly enjoy having the children in my life. I not only bring something to their life but they also bring a lot to my life.

"My life is very different to how it used to be because I used to work a lot, now I get to enjoy spending time with the children and helping them with their homework.

"It just feels like a family."

The Fostering Foundation said in February 6,000 new foster families were needed in England, owing to a rise in the number of children in care.

It said rising costs and changing vocations after the pandemic were reasons behind the shortage.

Peter Hutton, who holds the children's safeguarding portfolio at Wiltshire Council, said being in a foster family rather than care was better for children, society and their future.

"They recognise the family structure they've received. And if they decide to have a family they can put that into their young children," he said.

"It stops this continuing circle of fostering, coming in and out of caring. One of the things we're always mindful of is a safe and stable placement.

"That's the key to it. We don't want to place people unnecessarily into places that are not suitable."