A SHORTAGE of foster carers in the Okehampton area has prompted an appeal by Devon County Council's Social Services.
Despite a national campaign last year, people in the rural areas of Devon have not responded so well as those in the cities.
There are no special qualifications required to be a foster carer, apart from space in your home, time in your lifestyle and an enjoyment of being with children.
Locally there is a need for new carers to undertake emergency placements, respite care, temporary and permanent care and to look after large groups of brothers and sisters.
There are currently 70 children seeking foster carers in Devon.
In June last year there were 720 looked after children throughout the county, 70 per cent of which were in foster care.
Rose Boyd from the Fostering Service which is part of Social Services said it did not matter whether you were single, married or co-habiting and there was no age limit.
'It is generally the case that people who become foster carers have brought up children of their own but this is not essential — you may have been involved with children through being an aunt or uncle or have worked with them in some way.
She said: 'The important thing is being able to care for them through a time of crisis — patience, understanding and a sense of humour are what people need.'
One of the biggest problems was space — in this day and age not many people had a spare bedroom in their home, said Mrs Boyd.
She added that being a foster carer was hard work but those who took the plunge found it very rewarding.
'There is a lot of satisfaction to be had from seeing a child through a crisis and coming out the other side OK,' said Mrs Boyd.
'We believe there are many people in the Okehampton area who can provide a child with stability, whether it is just for a couple of weeks while their mother goes into hospital or throughout their childhood.'
For more information about fostering please contact Rose Boyd or Glynis Webber on 01803 869300.