A NEW council chief executive has made helping adults leaving its care join the “family firm” his first personal project since taking charge.

Terry Collins, who became chief executive of Durham County Council last week (Monday, February 1), said he had been inspired by the “transforming and life-changing” work of the authority’s fostering service and foster parents.

Under a chief executive’s initiative, he wants to increase the number of foster carers and provide more opportunities for care leavers to secure work experience placements, apprenticeships and jobs – both with the council, which he described as their “family firm”, and other employers.

“Going round the authority speaking to different teams, I’ve had my eyes further opened to the amazing work we do,” Mr Collins said.

“In children, it’s been made clear to me that fostering is really transforming lives. The work the staff do is incredible. It’s really life-changing.

“We need more carers. I’d encourage people to just come and talk to us.

“Also I want to encourage care leavers, by providing opportunities within the council and speaking to other businesses, talking to them about taking care leavers on.”

More than 600 children are in care in County Durham, but the Fostering Network says an extra 430 carers are needed across the North-East.

Durham County Council is holding an open event at County Hall, Durham, on Saturday, March 5, from 10.30am to 1pm.

Ian and Alison Cummings, from Durham, fostered three children after adopting three.

“We had an extra space and we said let’s make a change, let’s make a difference,” Mrs Cummings said.

“The thing we’re most proud of is helping to move kids out of the care circle. We’re helping them break away from the care system so they become rounded, mature adults.”

David and Susan Comyn, also from the Durham area, have one birth son and one foster child. It was their birth son who encouraged them to become foster parents.

Mrs Comyn said: “My husband said: ‘There are givers and takers in this world and you decide which bracket you’re going to be in’. If you think you’re a giver, you could foster.”

For more information, visit durham.gov.uk/foster or call 03000-269-400.