Can you give a home to a vulnerable child? That’s the question Hampshire County Council’s Fostering Service is putting to local residents this summer in its new campaign to find more loving homes for children in care.  

Launching today, the campaign follows the imagined story of Jack, a young foster child, and charts his feelings and experiences throughout his journey - from his initial apprehension on first meeting his foster family, to later being happy and settled.  

(Image: Hampshire County Council Fostering Services)
A child comes into foster care every 12 hours in Hampshire, leading to an ongoing need across the county for more foster carers. 

Anyone aged over 21 and from all walks of life can become a foster carer. The only requirement is a spare room – and of course, plenty of patience, resilience, open-mindedness and positivity. There are many different types of arrangements available, from full-time fostering to more flexible options that fit around home and work-life commitments. 

(Image: Hampshire County Council Fostering Services)
Individuals who choose to foster with Hampshire County Council will benefit from excellent training and support, and generous allowances. As well as a dedicated social worker to support them every step of the way, foster carers can also sign up to be part of the Hampshire Hive, a support network of local groups which effectively create an ‘extended family’ for foster carers and looked after children in communities across Hampshire.   

(Image: Hampshire County Council Fostering Services)
To find out more about becoming a foster carer, call the fostering service on 01489 587052 or visit the County Council website where you’ll find more information as well as details of upcoming events and training and support.