Almost eight thousand foster homes are currently needed for children and teenagers in the UK.

Today is the start of Foster Fortnight - when a campaign is being held to recruit more carers - of all ages, cultures and lifestyles.

Ros and Nigel Peace have just started fostering within the last few months. They spoke on Breakfast.

Click here to watch our foster carers interview.

Ros works in a youth club and Nigel works in a supported housing project.

They both come from large families and enjoy having people around and say they are quite 'other people' focussed.

As a couple, they don't want children right now.

They chose to foster teenage children because they can offer a suitable level of support.

The training process

Couples do need to be approved for fostering and the process involves undergoing a period of training.

Ros and Nigel applied in May 2001, began training in June and were accredited by Christmas.

They received their first foster child in March of this year.

Ros says she found the process quite easy. You have to prove you meet certain criteria such as your ability to work with the authorities, show an ability to look after things such as school problems, show you can provide healthy food etc.

The course is discussion-based, four or five couples training together with people from social services, showing videos, role playing and discussions.

Ros said she is finding the experience very rewarding and would recommend the process to others.