In Wigan, there are 400 children in need of care. To help find more foster carers, Wigan council's Family Placement Team is holding sessions for people interested in becoming a carer. The sessions run during Foster Care Fortnight, from today until May 25.

A council spokesman said: "We're planning a major recruitment campaign.
"Building relationships with young people and helping them develop is such a rewarding experience that it's hard to understand why more people don't come forward.

"Our carers feel that they can really change and improve the lives of children, and we support them all the way.
"And there is no 'typical' foster carer or family – whatever your family circumstances, if you're the right person or people, and you can provide a stable home situation, we'd like to hear from you.

"We're looking for people who understand the problems which are faced by children and young people, and who have an ability to build trusting relationships with them."

During Foster Care Fortnight, The Fostering Network, local authorities and independent fostering agencies are uniting in an annual campaign to recruit more carers.

The council's Family Placement Team is holding information sessions at Robin Park throughout Foster Care Fortnight.

For more details, call the Family Placement Team on 01942 487200.


Foster care FAQs

Independent fostering agency Perpetual Fostering provides the answers.

What exactly is fostering? It is the temporary placement of children and young people with foster families when their own parents are unable to look after them. The aim is to provide physical, emotional and social care in a 'substitute' family.

How does it differ from adoption?
Adoption is for life and all parental rights pass to the adoptive family. Fostering is more temporary and rights remain with the birth parents. Actually, far more children are fostered (66%) than adopted (six per cent).

How many are fostered in the North West?
According to national statistics, there are 10,410 looked-after children in the North West, of whom 7,040 are in foster placements.

How many more carers are needed?
The Fostering Network estimates 10,000 more foster carers are needed throughout the UK.

Why are children fostered?
They are placed in foster care because their own parents aren't looking after them properly – sometimes because the parents are ill, sometimes due to abuse or neglect.

Are foster children badly behaved?
As they have had a difficult start in life, children can show their distress through 'challenging' behaviour, nightmares or by being quiet and withdrawn. That's understandable and help is provided to deal with such behaviour.

How long is a fostering arrangement?
Anything from overnight, a weekend or a few days, to several months or many years. The average time is three to six months, although long-term foster care might mean a child's entire teenage years are spent with a foster family.

Who can become a foster carer?
Anyone can apply, whether they are married, single, cohabiting or divorced, of any race or religion. Legally, you must be 18 or over to foster, although we prefer over 21s. There is no upper age limit, but at 65-plus it might be too taxing.

Are there people who can't foster?
A criminal record check is carried out as part of the approvals process and anyone who has committed certain sexual offences or has convictions for violence or serious crime will usually be barred from fostering. Less serious offences are discussed as part of the assessment.

If these questions and answers have prompted you to consider the possibility of fostering, then ring Perpetual Fostering on 0845 130 4748 or visit www.perpetualfostering.co.uk