Rutland residents are being asked if they could provide a safe, caring environment for children and young people who are unable to live with their families.

Rutland County Council is looking for new foster carers to join its team as part of this year's Foster Care Fortnight and is encouraging adults over the age of 21 to get in touch to find out more.

Fostering or foster care is a way to provide a safe, secure and caring family environment for children who can't live at home with their parents or other family members.

Councillor David Wilby, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People at Rutland County Council, said: "Fostering is incredibly rewarding and can have a hugely positive impact on a child's life.

"Foster carers can come from all backgrounds and walks of life. You don't need to have a certain income or live in a big house.

"The most important thing is that you care and are able to provide a safe and supportive home environment for a child or young person.

"It's important that we have a good number of local authority foster carers who can look after children and young people of all ages and backgrounds here in Rutland.

"If we can't find a foster carer in our county, we may have to place a child in a different area, some distance away from their community, school, friends and family.

"Our aim is always to provide foster care locally, as this is undoubtedly the best option for children."

The council is always recruiting foster carers so that children and young people have somewhere safe to live when they need it.

Foster carers can be:

Single, married, divorced or living together

In a same sex relationship

From any religious or ethnic background

A homeowner or living in rented accommodation

Already a parent

Living with a disability

Fostering a child or young person can be permanent or temporary, based on the family's needs. Some children and young people may eventually return to their families, sometimes after only a few days.

The council offers foster carers professional training, constant guidance and financial support and is looking for carers for children from birth right up to the age of 18.

Local foster carers work alongside a professional network supporting the children and young people they are looking after, helping them to achieve the best outcomes possible.

The type of foster care provided depends on the needs of children and young people.

Foster carers are being sought to offer short and long-time care, emergency care, special care for children with disbilities, respite care, supportive lodgings for young people getting ready to live independently and remand care for young offenders.

Councillor Wilby adds: "If you can, please help us to give children and young people in Rutland a safe and caring home, and achieve their full potential."

For more information about fostering in Rutland visit the website by clicking the link below or, if you'd like to talk to the Rutland Foster Care Team, email [email protected] or call 01572 720 942.

Photo: Rutland Fostering and Adoption Team