KIND-HEARTED people across the town are being called on to help look after children in need.

As part of Foster Care Fortnight, the family placement team at Swindon Council is looking for more people to become foster carers.

It comes almost a year since a campaign was launched through the Adver to find 50 new foster carers and it saw dozens of people picking up their phones.

Cheryl Keller, the assistant team manager of the family placement team, said: “There is always going to be an ongoing need. We need to keep it in people’s minds.

“The council is particularly looking to find more foster families for teenagers, as they are the hardest age group to home and it is also on the look-out for more supported lodgings carers and remand foster carers.”

Children may be placed in foster care because their parents are ill, they have been neglected or their parents are struggling to cope.

Placements can be for one night or for several months before they are returned to their parents or considered for adoption.

Carers can choose whether they take part in short-term or longer-term placements.

Opportunities are also available to look after young people who are not yet able to live on their own, known as supported lodgings.

“In addition to recruiting carers for teens, homes are needed for parents, especially young mothers, having difficulty managing the care of their baby or toddler,” said Cheryl.

“Such situations can arise when there are allegations of parental neglect or abuse due to the parent’s inadequate basic skills, issues of alcohol or drug misuse, involvement in violent relationships, or any other problem affecting their ability to focus adequately on the child’s care.

“The parent and child will live together in the foster home and the parent will be expected to provide primary care for the child.

“The foster carer will be present to assure that the child is cared for safely.”

Training and support is available to all foster carers and people who sign up are given an allowance.

For more information contact the family placement team on 01793 465700.