Could you make space for a child?

Anyone interested in changing children's lives by becoming a foster carer or adoptive parent can find out more at a special event.

Leicestershire County Council is holding an open day in Market Harborough this Saturday (21st April) where people can explore what fostering and adoption involve and hear about the advice and support available.

Members of the fostering and adoption teams will also be on hand to answer any questions.

Adoption is a lifelong commitment and is about providing a child in care who cannot return home with a secure and loving family.

Children need foster carers following a family crisis, if their parents become ill or if their family home is unsafe. This could involving caring for them for anything from a few days right though to the rest of their childhood.

In the last 12 months, 27 children were matched for adoption and around 300 children were fostered in the county.

Helen Robinson, from Loughborough, is a foster carer who has also adopted two children, and would urge anyone to consider offering children a stable and secure family life.

She said: "Fostering and adopting has definitely been a rewarding experience for my husband and I. We started fostering in 2007 and have cared for a baby, two boys who we adopted, and a premature baby.

"I feel like I'm doing something worthwhile and giving back to the community and importantly, giving safety, security and normality to vulnerable children."  

Ivan Ould, Leicestershire County Council's cabinet member for the children and young people's service, said: "Adopting or fostering a child is one of the most challenging but also rewarding things you can do and if you believe you have what it takes, I’d encourage you to go along to the open day.

"Anyone can make a success of adoption and fostering - it doesn’t matter whether you are married, cohabitating, single, gay or straight and your race, religion, culture or sexuality will be accepted.

"The key qualities are patience, humour, time and energy and a determination to give a young person the sort of support that will really make a difference to their life."

The open day takes place between 10am and 2pm at Harborough Community Opportunities Centre, 36 Roman Way, Market Harborough, LE16 7PQ.

To find out more, please visit www.spaceforachild.com or call 0116 305 3051 or freephone 0800 587 7767.