Bath & North East Somerset Council is joining other local authorities from across the South West this Christmas to encourage people to consider becoming foster carers.

According to The Fostering Network there are currently 6,140 children in care across the South West, with 186 of those in Bath and North East Somerset.

52 local families currently provide foster homes for young people, but more foster carers are needed to provide stable, secure family homes for children who are in need.

For many foster families Christmas can be an incredibly rewarding but challenging time. Tracey and Andrew foster children at their home in Midsomer Norton. Tracey said: "The festive season can bring some challenges and mixed feelings as carers and for the young people we have had in our care. It's the most joyful time but we have also been aware that this time of year can be very overwhelming for our young person as it can bring back all sorts of memories and feelings for them. However, our experience of Christmas has been so fulfilling, making them feel a part of our family and sharing memories, and the excitement on their faces will stay with us forever."

Belinda and Mark have fostered for Bath & North East Somerset Council for three years. Belinda remembers their first Christmas as foster parents vividly: "Our first Christmas as foster parents left us feeling anxious about the big day, how would they cope? Would they be thinking of their parents? How would they react to the big family dinner with extra guests? We made sure our expectations of Christmas weren't too high and planned coping strategies for the children and ourselves. When the big day came the children were excited and as we all sat together and opened gifts their faces were enough to make us all want to cry."

All local authorities across the South West, from Gloucestershire to Cornwall, need more foster carers to come forward to care for children who for a variety of reasons cannot live with their birth families and need short or long-term placements.

Councillor Kevin Guy, cabinet member for Children's Services, said: "Christmas is of course a time when families traditionally get together, but there are many children whose families are unable to look after them and they need secure, caring homes.

"We are very grateful to our amazing team of foster carers who are passionate, committed and dedicated to improving the lives of the young people in their care, but we are always in need of new foster carers. So, this festive season we are asking people to consider whether they could make a real difference to a child's life by welcoming them into their home."

To become a foster carer, you must:

-be at least 21 years-old.

-have a spare bedroom big enough for a young person to live in.

-be a full-time resident in the UK or have leave to remain.

-be reasonably fit - physically and emotionally. However, disability isn't a barrier to fostering.

You can be of any religion or from any cultural background. Your relationship status or sexuality is not a barrier to becoming a foster carer.

If you are interested in fostering and would like to find out more click HERE :

the fostering site