PEOPLE in Wales are being encouraged to consider becoming a foster carer by The Foster Care Co-operative.

There are many different types of fostering for potential foster carers to get involved with. For example carers are needed who can offer both short and long term care and they are seeing a particular increase in the need for placements for sibling groups, teenagers and PACT (‘Parent and Child Together’, which is typically a young parent and a baby).

Government statistics in September 2014 showed that 30,430 children began being looked after during the financial year ending March 31 2014, with an average of one child being taken into care every 15 minutes. It is anticipated that an additional 550 foster carers are needed in Wales to meet the demand.

Many of the children and young people who become looked after have had a very challenging start to their lives and need a lot of help and support to help them move forward.

For more information about become a foster carer please visit http://www.fostercarecooperative.co.uk/.