THE national Foster Care Fortnight campaign begins tomorrow, Monday, and Wigan Council is urging anyone living in the borough who is interested in looking after children in need to get in touch.

Statistics show that every 20 minutes a child comes into care who is in need of a foster family.

Cllr Jo Platt, portfolio holder for children’s services at the council, said: “Our foster carers are the best possible advocates for signing up to be become a carer.

"When you speak to them you realise just how much joy opening their home to children in need of support gives them, and we have so many great carers who are making a difference to children’s lives every day.

"So why not make today the day you find out more about how you can help?”

The theme of this year's Foster Care Fortnight campaign is Time to Foster, Time to Care.

By providing a secure and nurturing environment for children and young people who cannot – for whatever reason – live with their parents temporarily or in the long-term, foster carers help those children to be safe, cared for, happy and healthy.

Many vulnerable children living in the borough are supported by foster carers, who enable them to continue attending their local schools, maintain their relationships with their friends and family and provide them with a stable and comfortable home for as long as they need.

Almost anyone can apply to be a foster carer.

In practical terms, it does not matter if you are single, married or cohabiting, own or rent your home, have your own children or not, are gay or straight.

Foster carers must simply be able to offer the time, commitment, space and skills to care for children that are separated from their own families.

They are paid an allowance and fees that recognise their skills and experience. Lots of support and training is also provided.

Anyone interested in offering a caring home to children who need it most can get in touch with the council's fostering service via wigan.gov.uk/fostering.