Fostering recruitment drive launches

Caroline GallBBC News, West Midlands
News imageGetty Images Child in a blue shirt, holding a teddy bear with a woman in an orange cardigan putting one arm around the child
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An autumn recruitment campaign started in the city on Monday

People in Wolverhampton are being encouraged to help local children by becoming foster parents.

A campaign to promote fostering launched in the city this week with a pop-up shop opening in Queen Square.

"Fostering can truly be a life-changing experience, both for foster parents and the child or young person they care for," councillor Jacqui Coogan said.

"We'd love to hear from people who have both a spare room and of course love in their heart to help local children by fostering."

Placements can be for a few days or a number of years, and foster parents receive a regular, tax exempt fee and allowance to cover the cost of bringing up the child, the city council said.

Foster parents can be sole carers, married or in a relationship and support is available 24 hours a day.

Six months' "buddy support" is also offered from experienced foster parents who can befriend and guide them through the system, the council added.

The pop-up shop will be open from 10:00 until 15:00 BST on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday this week and 24 and 26 September.

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