A fresh bid to attract more people to become foster parents was launched today by Cambridgeshire County Council.

Under the Team Cambridgeshire banner – their new look fostering service – they want to find many more people willing to help provide homes for the 700 local children currently in care.

The council promise carers will get comprehensive local training, 24 hour support and generous allowances.

Carers can also earn additional payments and gain professional qualifications as they develop their skills and experience.

Councillor Simon Bywater, chairman of the children and young people committee, said, “Our fostering team is made up of around 138 households based across Cambridgeshire. Some have just joined us and others have been fostering with us for 40 years or more.

“However, we urgently need even more local people to follow in their footsteps.”

He said: “There are lots of different types of fostering, and opportunities to care for children and young people of all ages. So whatever your background or experience, please get in touch to find out more about how you can play your part in Team Cambridgeshire.

“Team Cambridgeshire is all about providing local homes, for local children. Fostering is a rewarding role for anyone who wants to make a real difference to the lives of Cambridgeshire’s children and young people.”

Recently approved foster carer Graham Davies said, “My wife and I decided to go down the route of fostering teenagers.

“Our own children are at university and we can now help others on the final step towards independence. There is lots of support available and the preparation training has been absolutely first class”.

To be a foster carer you need to be over 21 and foster carers can be single, married, in a civil partnership or living with a partner.

The council welcomes applications from people of all ethnic backgrounds and from people who have their own children, as well as those who haven’t raised children of their own.

You don’t need to be a homeowner to foster.

Further information is available online at www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/fostering or call 0800 052 0078 for an informal chat.