More foster carers needed in Torbay

Torbay Council says it needs to recruit more foster carers after pressures on the service.

The number of carers has reduced due to people retiring and the cost of living, the council said, with about 75 families looking after almost 300 children.

Council's fostering team is holding a series of drop-in sessions during January to recruit new carers.

Nick Bye, cabinet member for Children's Services for Torbay, said the sessions were open to anyone who wanted to help "change a child's future".

Mr Bye said there were financial benefits but "the reward" was "providing the love, support and security for children".

Foster carers in Torbay are given access to training, a dedicated social worker, mentoring and a support network.

"The support we give foster carers is pretty much unique in Torbay," said Mr Bye.

"We work very hard to retain and recruit foster carers who offer so much love and support for children who are in care.

"We calculate that we need to recruit about another 10 each year to maintain the quality of support that we provide.

"We have made recruitments over the past couple of years but unfortunately we haven't made enough."

The drop-in sessions are due to take place between 11:00 GMT and 13:00 on 11 January at Newton Abbot Library, 18 January at Paignton Library and Torquay Library on 25 January.

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