People 'from all walks of life' wanted for fostering

Foster carer Foz is looking after two siblings with her partner

People who are considering a career change or who have a spare room are being encouraged to consider fostering.

Wiltshire Council hopes to recruit 20 additional foster carers this year and those who sign up will be given training and ongoing support with payments.

Foz, who became a foster carer after working as a teacher and a childminder, said: "I wish I'd done it sooner."

Cabinet member for children’s services, Laura Mayes, said people "from all walks of life" can foster, but must be 21 or over and have a spare bedroom.

'Everything you need'

Foz and her partner, El, are currently taking care of two siblings.

“I have been backwards and forwards with the idea of becoming a foster carer for a few years," she said.

"I made enquiries but it was never the right time – I wanted everything to be in place and in a really good position to focus on the children themselves.”

Foz has been able to use her previous experience to look after her foster children and already she is seeing good results, she said.

For one child she is using Makaton - which uses symbols and signs to communicate - where he can not use words.

She said this has really helped him manage his feelings and communicate, including asking for a drink.

She added that people considering fostering might also want to think about therapeutic and enforcement strategies they can use with children.

The council is keen to recruit an additional 20 foster carers in 2024

Layla used to work in local government, across the police and NHS, before taking the decision to be a foster carer.

She added: “There are so many different ways you can foster and depending on commitment and family situations there are different options which may work for them.

"It is always worth having that chat to see what it could look like."

Ms Mayes said fostering is open to anyone with time to care for a child and a willingness to seek to understand young people who have experienced trauma and loss.

People who have enough room in their bedroom for a cot can also foster children up to 12 months

Information sessions are being held online throughout September, and at Five Rivers Leisure Centre in Salisbury on 11 and 26 September.

Follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.