Staffordshire County Council is asking parents of children who have gone back to school or have flew the nest to consider taking on the challenge of becoming a foster carer.

The service needs to recruit around 60 new families this year and has an urgent need to find families for teenagers and sibling groups.

A series of virtual information events is planned for the next three months.

Mark Sutton, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People at Staffordshire County Council said: "Our foster families accomplish incredible things every day, even in the face of a global crisis like Coronavirus.

"This can be the time of year when people think about doing something different with their lives or taking on a new adventure or challenge, especially with children back at school or off to university.

"There's no doubt that fostering could be the challenge people are looking for, but with the right attributes like good communication skills, patience it can also be one of the most rewarding things you'll ever do.

"While we currently need carers for children of all ages, we have a particular need for carers for teenagers and sibling groups. If fostering sounds like it could be your next challenge, then joining one of our virtual information events will help you take that first step."

There are many different types of fostering including, long-term, weekend, short-term and resilience fostering.

Cliff and Elaine Whiteley are Staffordshire foster carers. Cliff said: "We've been fostering for 20 years now and it's a really rewarding thing to do. I don't think I've ever done a job that's as satisfying as it is. The training and support is excellent and you're never on your own. "

You've got teams of professionals with you the whole way to help you do what's best for the child. When you see how much the children you look after have changed years later or see them happier and leading a better life it lets you know you've made a real difference. I'd definitely urge people to try it."

The next virtual fostering information event will be on Thursday 22 October at 6.30pm. The session will be run over Microsoft Teams and people can sign up at www.fosterforstaffordshire.co.uk.

More information on fostering is also available on the website or by calling 0800 169 2061.