CONSIDERING fostering but not sure if you have the right qualities?

Well Somerset County Council has come up with the 'top ten' qualities needed if you're looking to foster to kick off Somerset Fostering Week (January 23-29).

The ‘Top Ten’ qualities people need to have to be brilliant foster carers are, to be:

1. Flexible

2. Patient

3. Kind

4. Consistent

5. Trustworthy

6. Honest

7. Good listener

8. Understanding

9. Available

10. Sense of humour

Cllr Frances Nicholson, cabinet member for Children and Families, said: “We need more people to become foster carers in Somerset.

"If you have all or most of the ‘Top Ten’ qualities you will be a fantastic carer and make a real difference to children’s lives.

“We are looking for people from all walks of life to foster – you can be single, married or in a same sex relationship, own or rent your home, have children of your own or not.

“We need foster carers for children of all ages and backgrounds, including siblings, children with disabilities and unaccompanied asylum seeking children.

“We offer excellent training and a competitive weekly fee that increases over time in recognition of the skills, commitment and support foster carers provide.

"I encourage you to give us a call on 0800 587 9900, look at our website

fosteradoptsomerset.org.uk or come to one of our events in Somerset Fostering Week to find out more – take the opportunity to do something amazing in 2017.”

During Somerset Fostering Week the fostering team will be out and about talking to people about fostering.

Pop along to one of the events to have an informal chat, find out more and ask all those burning questions.

Events in Somerset Fostering Week include:

  • Wednesday, January 25, 7-9pm at Martock Christian Fellowship Church Hall, Church Street, Martock, TA12 6JL. This event will focus on fostering unaccompanied asylum seeking children and a foster carer with experience of this type of fostering will speak to the group. Professional staff will also be on hand to answer questions and have a chat. Please call 0800 587 9900 to book a place at the event.
  • Thursday, January 26, 11am-5pm at Angel Place Shopping Centre in Bridgwater. Drop by anytime to speak to friendly and professional staff.
  • Saturday January 28, 10am-3pm at the Market in Wells. Drop by anytime to speak to friendly and professional staff.

Find out more about fostering in Somerset, read stories from real foster carers and explore all the County Council has to offer – visit fosteradoptsomerset.org.uk, phone 0800 587 9900, ‘like’ the Fostering in Somerset Facebook page or follow @fostersomerset on Twitter.