GLOUCESTERSHIRE County Council have issued an appeal for people to provide foster care for children and young people.

Anyone who is over 21, and has a spare room they can offer, could become a foster carer. They are also very keen to hear from anyone with two or more rooms that can be offered, so that they can cater for brothers and sisters, allowing them to be fostered together rather than split up into separate properties.

In a representative case study, the council highlight the story of Nick Williams from the Forest, who started fostering early last year. He is married and his wife still works, and they have a seven year old son at home. He is fostering an 11 year old boy, but also fosters other children, including some that are being readied for adoption.

Nick commented on his career change: "I wanted to do something different, and to give something back, so that's what I did! Fostering has been a great career change for me. If you put children first, it's a great job."

Nick places great emphasis on giving the children an 'outdoor active life' which he believes they thrive on. He said: "We walk to and from school with the dog, which they really like. We go out for long walks with a backpack and a picnic, and do lots of cycling. Most of the kids have lots of energy, so anything physical works very well."

He added: "We take them on days out to places like the zoo. None of the kids had seen wild animals or been on exciting rides before. Seeing their faces is awesome. It's a real adventure for them."

Cllr Paul McLain, Gloucestershire County Council cabinet member for children and young people commented: "We have many foster carers who have opted to change career to foster, or who find themselves without a job and decide they can use their skills to foster a child.

"All children are different and, to meet their needs, we are looking for a wide variety of people. Fostering is a challenging role to take on, but it can make a real difference."

Foster carers receive a weekly maintenance and skills allowance to help care for a child, which can be more than £300 per week for a teenager.

The council accepts applications to foster from all sectors of society, and people can be married, single, unmarried couples, gay or lesbian, have their own children, be retired, a homeowner, in rented accommodation, or unemployed.

Anyone wishing to find out more about becoming a foster carer should contact the county council's fostering team on 01242 532654 or visit http://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/fostering">www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/fostering.