STAFF at a social enterprise based in Gloucestershire are aiming to recruit emergency foster carers across the county.

Five Rivers Child Care, in partnership with Gloucestershire County Council, is looking to recruit a number of emergency foster carers across the county who will look after young people aged up to 18 for no longer than 28 days.

The scheme has been created for young people with complex needs in particular, therefore potential carers should ideally have suitable transferable skills or previous experience caring, whether that’s foster care or any profession that involves direct work with children.

“Our aim is to make a positive and lasting difference, ensuring that every vulnerable child and young person can grow, flourish and fulfil their potential,” said Johan Strydom, service manager for Five Rivers Fostering across the South West of England.

“We need new candidates in Gloucestershire to help us offer supportive, nurturing and safe home environments to these young people when they are between placements or when they are waiting to return to a home environment.

“We are really keen to hear from people who are nurturing, compassionate and enjoy caring and supporting others.

“Anyone with transferable skills acquired in professions like nursing, caring, residential childcare and general healthcare would be perfect candidates as they would have an understanding of the type of complex needs the vulnerable children might have.

“That said, we are also welcoming enquiries from people who have an interest in fostering and have a suitable home environment, in that no other children reside there and there are spare rooms available.

“We recently commissioned some research which showed that more than half of respondents thought that certain circumstances would make them ineligible to become foster carers.

“We are keen to dispel these myths – we want as many people as possible to consider taking up this rewarding and important career.”

For information about fostering opportunities available across Gloucestershire with Five Rivers visit bit.ly/2pAOzjF or call 01858 412 765.