Want to become a foster carer? Advice for interested Longford individuals

Focus on Fostering Week, takes place from March 2 - 8. This national initiative shines a light on the vital role foster carers play in the lives of children and young people across Ireland.

If you are interested in fostering a child, you can send an enquiry to www.fosteringfirstireland.ie or call Fostering Advisor Jess directly on 087 9394697.

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You can also attend one of their fortnightly information sessions which are held online with fostering advisors and experienced foster carers.

Fostering First Ireland's criteria to be able to foster a child is as follows:

* You need to be over the age of twenty-five, there is no upper age with fostering you just need to be in good health and have a reliable support network around you.
* You should have a spare bedroom available, foster children can not share with your own children.
* If you have children, your youngest should be at least 3 years old. You do not need children to foster.
* You should have your full driving licence, there are a lot of appointments that come up for children in care so it is important that you can travel to and from them.

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"Fostering is the most amazing rewarding journey you will ever experience, one piece of advice that our foster carers would always give is to just get going and try not to think too much about making that call. You are always supported by professionals and never alone once you get started you will not look back," Fostering First Ireland said.