POTENTIAL foster parents can learn what is involved at an event with experts.

Experienced foster carers and Essex County Council’s fostering recruitment team will meet the public at an event on Saturday, January 25.

The council provides carers with support, training, networking and advice, plus a package of allowances and fees.

Carers can be from all walks of life – single, married, straight, gay, homeowners or renting a property and there is no upper age bracket. Unless fostering children aged under two, potential carers will need a spare bedroom to be able to care for a child in their home and will need to be available before and after school and during the school holidays.

The county council is particularly short of carers for siblings, teenagers and children with disabilities.

Dick Madden, Essex county councillor responsible for families and children, said: “If you’ve been thinking about fostering, then call in to our event for an informal chat and to meet some of our existing carers.”

The event takes place at 11am at the Holiday Inn, in Cranes Farm Road, Basildon.

For more information on fostering, call 0800 801530 or visit www.essex.gov.uk/fostering