As Foster Care Fortnight draws to a close, North Somerset Council is still on the look-out for potential foster carers.

The nationwide campaign showcases the commitment, passion and dedication of foster carers, professionals and campaigners, as well as supporting fostering services to highlight the need for more foster carers.

In North Somerset, there is an ongoing need to increase the number of foster carers to care for children and young people, in particular for those aged 11 and over, and brother and sister groups, so they can live together.

Cllr Catherine Gibbons, the council's executive member for children's services said: "The theme this year has been #WhyWeCare and our social media pages have featured carers and professionals from North Somerset talking about their experiences and motivation.

"Fostering can be so rewarding, watching a young person grow in a loving environment.

"If you’ve ever thought of fostering, please get in touch with our team who can answer any questions you may have."

At the moment the council has 64 registered foster carers, but the number of children in foster care is 192.

Cllr Gibbons added: "If we can't place children and young people with our foster carers, we have to approach private fostering agencies to place them.

"This can mean the children and young people may need to move away from North Somerset, meaning they will be away from their friends, school and familiar surroundings.

"By recruiting more foster carers, we can ensure North Somerset children can stay in North Somerset.

"As a result of the campaign we have had a number of enquiries from potential foster carers, but we need to recruit more.

"Everyone can support fostering, whether you feel you could become a foster carer, know someone who could or just support our campaigns.

"We can all help make a difference to children and young people from our community. As a foster carer, the difference you make for the children in your care is remarkable.

"The empathy, understanding, love and support provided by a foster parent can determine how that child develops into adulthood and really make positive change to lives."

To find out more, get in touch with the fostering team by emailing fostering@n-somerset.gov.uk