A FOSTER couple from Devizes is calling for more people to consider a career in fostering at a time when there are a record number of children and young people in the care system.

As part of Foster Care Fortnight, which runs until Sunday Joanne and Damian Ward are sharing their experience in the hope it will inspire others to think about fostering.

The couple, who have been married for 23 years, first thought about fostering after their son was born with a rare genetic condition in 1993.

Based on medical advice, the couple decided not to have any other children and began to look into fostering and adoption.

Unaware that foster carers are provided with a living allowance to financially support them, the pair waited until 2015, after their son had left home to study, before they finally decided to foster.

Joanne, a former education support officer made the decision to become a full-time foster carer while Damian, who had a senior role with a global manufacturing company, continued to work until 2016 when he too made the decision to become a full-time carer.

Joanne said: “After our son was born we thought a lot about fostering as it was something we had always wanted to do, we just didn’t realise that financial support was provided.

“We realised that a fostering allowance was available to help us care for the children or young people we looked after, so it was something we could have done sooner.”

Having previously fostered with another independent fostering agency, the couple now foster with Five Rivers Child Care, an independent fostering provider in Salisbury.

At the moment they are fostering a boy and a girl both aged 11 and a girl of 14 who are all on long term placements.

Joanne said: “Watching the children grow up in a happy environment where they thrive has definitely been one of the best things.” www.five-rivers.org.