Find out what’s involved in giving a vulnerable child a home

Sadly, there are thousands of children across the country who are in desperate need of a safe and secure home.

Not all children are born into happy families where they are showered with love, affection and set on the right path.

It’s something both children and parents in stable families often take for granted - a happy home life.

Fostering is something I’ve not given a huge deal of thought to myself and although it’s not for me at this moment in time I would never rule it out.

I’ve met several foster carers during my time as a journalist and have a friend who is dad to two wonderful children he adopted with his wife because they could not have children. All those who I’ve spoken to say it’s the most important thing they’ve ever done in their lives and speak proudly about how they’ve literally transformed the lives of the children they’ve cared for and nurtured at their most vulnerable stage of life.

This week is the perfect opportunity to find out what’s involved if you have that niggling feeling that you want to help give a vulnerable child a stable home.

Maybe your older children have flown the nest, you have been unable to have your own children or it’s, perhaps, something you’ve always wanted to do but never felt able to until now.

Fostering Fortnight, running until Sunday, aims to shine a light on the importance of fostering, what’s involved and how to become a foster carer.

It’s estimated that more than 7,000 foster carers are needed across the country in the next 12 months alone. There’s a dedicated foster care community out there doing a fantastic job but there is simply not enough of them.

Check out thefosteringnetwork.org.uk to find out more.