Cheshire West and Chester Council is asking residents to make their new year’s resolution count this year by considering becoming a foster carer to a local child or young person.

Hundreds of children in the borough are cared for by an amazing team of council foster carers but even more are needed to support children and young people in need of a stable and supportive home.

Cllr Nicole Meardon, Cabinet member for children and families, said: “You could be the person to transform a child’s life in 2016.

“We are looking for people who can provide a caring and loving home. Someone who will help a child or young person grow in confidence and get them through the difficult times.

“What is really important is that we ensure children remain in the local area, close to their school, friends and family.

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“People from all sorts of backgrounds are eligible to become foster carers. If you are over 21, have a spare room in your home and want to help a child or young person in your area, get in touch. Please don’t rule yourself out before speaking to us.”

Foster places are needed for lots of different children and young people for varying lengths of time. In the borough the council particularly need homes for those over the age of five years, sibling groups to ensure they can stay together, teenagers and children with special educational needs.

Different types of fostering

There are also different types of fostering placements that will suit people’s circumstances and provide the best option for children in care.

Short term fostering offers a child with a placement for a set period of time, while long term fostering provides care for children who cannot return to their families and for whom adoption isn’t appropriate.

There are also short break foster placements that provide support for children with additional needs and their families, either overnight, for a weekend or in the school holidays.

The council’s fostering team provides all foster carers with full training, continuous support for both the carer and their family and a competitive financial package.

There will be a series of drop-in events taking place across the borough for people wanting to find out more information about fostering with an opportunity to speak to both social workers and foster carers about the process.

Events taking place in January include:

Thursday, January 14, 4-6pm at Chester Library

Thursday, January 21, 4-6pm at Ellesmere Port Library

Thursday, January 28, 4-6pm at Winsford Library

Alternatively you can speak to an advisor for more information by calling 01244 972222 or by visiting www.smileadoptionandfostering.co.uk and completing the online enquiry form.