MISCONCEPTIONS about eligibility for becoming a foster carer is potentially stopping thousands from applying for the role, according to a recent survey.

Social enterprise and national child care organisation Five Rivers, which carried out the survey, says the lack of knowledge could be a contributing factor to the nationwide shortage of carers in the industry, especially in the South West.

Polling people across the region, the survey discovered that a quarter of people mistakenly believed that personal circumstances would render them ineligible to foster, despite 44 per cent of respondents saying they have considered fostering a child.

A further 71 per cent of respondents believed having a disability would prohibit them from becoming a foster carer, while 59 per cent of people were not aware that members of the LGBT community can foster.

Such assumptions leave people who have the potential to be successful foster carers thinking that they are unable to foster.

Single people, co-habiting couples, same sex couples, those living with a disability, and people living in rented accommodation from all backgrounds and ethnic minorities are all eligible to become foster carers. The only initial requirement for applicants is that they are over the age of 21 and have a bedroom available for each foster child.

In the South West, over a third of respondents thought they would make good foster carers, acknowledging the characteristics that make a good foster carer, yet there is still an acute shortage in the region.

Five Rivers is now calling for more awareness around the requirements of foster carers to ensure the regional shortage can be addressed.

Nicci Willock, director of fostering services at Five Rivers, said: “Fostering is an incredible, selfless thing to do and truly can transform the lives of thousands of young people each year. It’s our mission to ensure that every vulnerable child and young person can grow, flourish, fulfil their potential and find the right placement first time.

“Carers are the kind of people who open up their homes and their hearts to vulnerable young people when they’re most in need of support, giving them strength and stability for the present and real hope for the future.

“It’s concerning that we might be missing out on recruiting wonderful new carers simply because they assume that they are ineligible to foster.

"There is currently a huge shortage of foster carers in the South West, so it’s essential that we challenge the misconceptions surrounding these perceived barriers to becoming qualified, so more people can come forward ready to help disadvantaged children when they need it the most.

“We are incredibly proud of our foster carers and value the partnership we have with them. Our foster families are very committed to shaping and influencing our endeavours to continue to attract more people to come forward and become part of a fantastic career as foster carers with Five Rivers.

“By offering excellent support packages, training and financial support to our foster carers, they are confident and achieve outstanding outcomes for young people”.

Applicants to Five Rivers Child Care receive extensive training and ongoing support to foster carers.

A career in fostering offers many benefits including competitive rates of pay and flexible working.

For more information about fostering, contact Five Rivers on (01722 435750) or visit www.five-rivers.org/fostering

For more information on Five Rivers Fostering, visit: www.five-rivers.org