Fifty foster carers from across the county will this week launch this year's foster carer recruitment campaign - 'You could foster a child' - at County Hall in Chelmsford.

The campaign follows the expansion of a scheme to increase the number of carers who are paid a fee for their work.

To cope with the number of children coming into care, Essex social services says it needs to hang on to all its exisiting carers and recruit another 200 over the next eight years.

The campaign, which is to be launched on Friday, aims to dispell myths about the types of people that can become foster carers.

Social workers believe that many people who would make excellent foster carers don't come forward because they think they will be turned down.

A spokesman said: "Fostering is not just for couples with children of their own. Single people, those without children and people whose children have grown up and left home are also needed.

"Carers can be working full time or not working at all. There is no upper age limit to becoming a foster carer as long as they are in good health."

Anyone interested in becoming a foster carer can telephone 0800 801530

Published Tuesday, April 9, 2002