Fostering First, the organisation responsible for foster care across the Island, wants to hear from anyone who could provide a home for a child in care. Fostering First was created last year following the signing of a new contract between the Department of Social Care and The Children’s Centre. Currently 125 children are in care here in the Isle of Man with 57 being looked after by foster families. Of these 57 children, 18 are under five-years-old and 23 are teenagers. At present, there are 43 approved foster caring families, but Fostering First is looking to recruit more. Between January and September this year there were 52 children needing foster care. Suitable foster carers were found for 34 of these children, but there were not enough suitable foster carers to find homes for the other 18. Fiona Lassen, Head of Fostering Services at Fostering First, said: “Right now, there are children in the Isle of Man who need the support of foster carers to help bring some stability into their lives. Foster carers can come from a wide range of backgrounds and we are happy to meet anyone who is interested in finding out more about becoming a foster carer.” Foster carers must be over 21 but there is no upper age limit. Carers can be married, divorced or single, or co-habiting. It does not matter whether they have their own children or not, or whether or not they own their own home. Those who are approved as foster carers will receive training to develop knowledge and skills to help them care for children. Fostering First will provide ongoing training packages and financial remuneration to cover the expenses of caring for a child. A Fostering Link Worker will also visit at regular intervals to support carers in their fostering role. For more information about Fostering First go to www.thechildrenscentre.org.im/fosteringfirst, email fosteringfirst@thechildrenscentre.org.im or call 631947. Inquiries about becoming a foster carer can also be made by visiting Fostering First’s offices at 17 Village Walk, Onchan. ENDS