A COUPLE from Fairford are calling for more people in the Cotswolds to consider a career as a foster carer.

There is currently a nationwide shortage of foster carers, which includes a shortfall of 600 across the South West of England and more than 9,000 throughout the UK.

Louise Little and her husband Anthony have been fostering since 2012, after the latter left the RAF and re-trained as a firefighter.

The couple had a biological son, Keelan, in 1999 then decided to expand their family by fostering.

As part of Foster Care Fortnight (FCF), which runs until Sunday (May 21), they have opened up about their experience as foster carers.

The couple’s first foster child had both emotional and special educational needs but the family rose to the challenge, and even moved to a larger house in 2015 to accommodate further children.

They now have three foster children living with them, alongside their 17-year-old son, Keelan.

13-year-old Sam, who’s been with them for five years, 10-year-old Alex, who has lived with the couple for a year, and nine-year-old Jesse who joined the family just over a month ago.

Following in Anthony’s footsteps, two of the couple’s foster children have already expressed an interest in joining the fire service when they are older.

“We felt we had more love to give and wanted other children to benefit from the close-knit upbringing that we both had,” said Louise.

“We were approved to foster in May 2012 after a swift application process and had our first placement pretty much the same day.

“We hit the floor running, and I wouldn’t have had it any other way,” she added.

While fostering is about family life, Louise also views her role as a professional commitment that she takes very seriously.

She credits Five Rivers, the independent fostering agency the couple foster through, for the support the organisation has offered the couple throughout the fostering process.

“I cannot remember my life before we fostered. I love what I do and I wouldn’t change it for the world. Being a foster carer gives me the opportunity to watch little people have the opportunities and enjoyment in life that they deserve,” she said.

Anthony and Louise are enthusiastic advocates for fostering among their own friends.

One couple have already signed up and Anthony hopes others will follow: “It would make a big difference and be beneficial for society for more people to become foster carers,” he said.

“I think our background in the forces has helped us in our fostering journey.

“We know what it’s like to be moved from place to place so can sympathise with the children who come to stay with us and also have a good sense of discipline, which is important when you’re trying to create a stable environment and bring people from different backgrounds together.”

Gloucestershire County Council hosted an event at Costa Coffee last week in Cirencester as part of FCF, with the intention of recruiting 30 new foster carers before April 2018.

In Gloucestershire in 2016/17, there were 868 foster places requested, with 426 for young people aged over 11, and 442 for young people under 11.

There is a particularly need for foster carers for teenagers, siblings and disabled children.

Visit thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/advice-information/all-about-fostering/recruitment-targets for more information.