Do you want to be a foster carer?

People who feel they can make a difference are being encouraged to transform a child's life by taking up fostering.

Derbyshire County Council is holding a 'Talk Fostering' session this week to inform residents about the benefits of becoming a foster carer. 

It's taking place at County Hall in Matlock on Wednesday (November 13) from 5pm to 7pm. 

People who are thinking about fostering will have the opportunity to find out about the wide range of support the county council offers its fosters carers and talk to local foster carers who can offer guidance and answer questions.

Prospective carers will also be able to meet the council’s fostering team and ask questions.

Cllr Alex Dale, DCC's Cabinet Member for Young People, said: "This drop-in session is a chance for Derbyshire residents to start a very rewarding and fulfilling journey that will transform the lives of young children – as well as their own.

"We offer Derbyshire foster carers on-going support throughout the process plus training, benefits and a competitive package of financial support once they’re approved.

We’re also committed to keeping the brothers and sisters in our care together. Foster carers who share our vision will be playing a vitally important role in maintaining a young child’s relationship with their sibling, helping to give them the best start in life." 

Although foster carers don't need any specific qualifications, they must be aged 21 or over with no upper age limit, have a spare room, and go through a few initial checks before they are assessed.

Foster carers can also be: of any sexual orientation or gender identity, married, single, in a civil partnership, living with a partner, divorced or widowed, of any religion or no religion, employed or unemployed, of any ethnicity, be able bodied or disabled, with or without children already and with children still living at home.

The council say there are many different types of fostering opportunities which fit around work, family and different lifestyles.

To find out more information about fostering in Derbyshire, visit http://www.derbyshire.gov.uk/fostering.