A LACK of awareness surrounding the financial benefits of fostering is affecting the number of potential foster carers in the region.

According to Five Rivers Child Care, 60 percent of respondents across the North-East are not aware that foster carers can be paid a fee of up to £25,000 a year, which increases if additional children are looked after.

The fostering service and social enterprise surveyed 2,000 people as part of work to identify the misconceptions hindering foster carer recruitment across the UK, and to address a nationwide shortfall of 7,180 foster carers, including 360 in the North-East.

The survey also forms part of the organisation’s celebrations to mark Foster Care Fortnight, which runs until Sunday.

People from all walks of life can become foster carers as long as they are over 21. This includes single people, cohabiting couples, same sex couples and people living in rented accommodation. The only requirement is a spare room for each foster child.

To find out more, contact Five Rivers Child Care on 0345 266 0272 or visit five-rivers.org