Swindon Borough Council has 336 children in its care, with 222 of those fostered within 20 miles and 114 in placements out of the borough. There are 19 children needing placements.

Foster carers can sign up for several different types of caregiving.

There is long and short term fostering - which is the most common, and most commonly understood. Carers can take children for any length of time, and at any age, from babies, to primary school children to teenagers.

Placements can vary from a few weeks to several years. During this time plans are made for children to return to their family or for permanent care such as adoption.

Foster carers can also be on the emergency care rota. This involves caring for a child or siblings for a short period of time in an emergency same day situation. This could be during the night or at weekends and could happen at short notice so this type of care is good for carers who can be flexible.

Carers can also offer respite to a child’s normal parents or carers, to give them a short break, which can be very important in keeping a family together.

There is also specialist care, called Home and Away, offered to children and families with disabilities.

Some foster carers also want to adopt children – and they can ask to look after babies or very young children with a view to adoption, although there might still be the option for the child to return to their birth family if that is assessed as the best outcome.