As Foster Care Fortnight (11-24 May) gets underway, Wiltshire Council is highlighting the experiences of local foster carers and taking the conversation about fostering out into communities across the county to encourage more people to consider fostering

Wiltshire Council looks after around 500 children and young people, many of whom are able to remain close to their communities thanks to the commitment of local foster carers. More carers are still urgently needed, particularly to support older children, sibling groups and children arriving in the UK separated from their families.

This year's Foster Care Fortnight theme, 'This Is Fostering', focuses on the everyday realities of fostering.

The council's fostering team will be out and about across the county during Foster Care Fortnight, hosting a series of 'fostering road trip' engagement events in communities including Bradford on Avon, Malmesbury, Melksham, Trowbridge, Devizes, Amesbury and Chippenham. These informal drop‑in sessions give residents the chance to speak directly with foster carers and social workers, ask questions, and find out what fostering could look like for them.

The road trip will culminate in an online fostering information event on Saturday 30 May, offering anyone who has been inspired by Foster Care Fortnight the opportunity to learn more from home.

Cllr Jon Hubbard, Cabinet Member for Children's Services, said: "Foster carers across Wiltshire provide stability, care and understanding to children and young people at some of the most challenging times in their lives. Tara's story shows that there is no one 'type' of foster carer, and that fostering can grow into something people may never have expected.

"Through Foster Care Fortnight, our fostering road trip events and the online information session at the end of May, we're giving people plenty of opportunities to talk to us, hear real experiences and explore whether fostering could be right for them. If you've ever thought about fostering, even quietly, Foster Care Fortnight is the perfect time to find out more and take that first step."

Wiltshire Council works to support foster carers locally so that more children can stay close to the people and places that matter to them - their communities, schools and support networks and avoid having to move out of the county.

People from a wide range of backgrounds and family situations can foster. You don't need to make a commitment straight away - simply finding out more could make a lasting difference to a child's life.

Wiltshire Council provides comprehensive training, ongoing guidance, and a dedicated team to support foster carers every step of the way. People can be single, married, working, or retired. If people have a spare bedroom, are aged over 21 and have the time to care, they could foster. Those fostering babies up to 12 months can use their own bedroom if space allows for a cot.

More information on becoming a foster carer for your local council can be found at www.fosterwithyourlocalcouncil.org.uk/ or you can speak directly to a member of the recruitment team via 0300 456 0120.