A Cottenham foster carer is urging people facing redundancy, or who have been made redundant during the recession to think about starting a new rewarding career as a foster carer. 

 Ian Norman, used to be a heating engineer but the worsening economic climate caused him to look for greater job security and satisfaction.  After careful consideration he followed in the footsteps of his wife, Nicola and become a qualified foster carer with one of the UK's leading independent fostering agency, Pathway Care.

His call comes as the recession worsens and many companies consider job losses.  At present there are 650 more foster carers  needed in Cambridgeshire and throughout the East of England.

41 year-old Ian became a foster carer six months ago, while Nicola, 48, has been with Pathway Care for two years. Despite not having children of their own family life has always been important to them.

He said "This wasn't a snap decision, I thought about it very carefully and discussed it at length with my wife.  But I get great satisfaction out of the work I'm doing and don't regret the decision at all. I was a heating engineer for twenty-five years, so I'm a good role model for the youngsters we look after, especially 16 year-old Simon*."

The couple have fostered four children full time to date and specialise in looking after children with complex needs such as those with challenging emotional and behavioural issues.

Ian added:  "Although we don't have children of our own we feel passionately about helping vulnerable youngsters who through no fault of their own have had a difficult start in life. As a couple we feel we have a lot of love and support to offer them.

"Apart from their foster carers many fostered children have no one else they can call on for support. They need stability and a routine but ultimately they need to know that someone cares for them."

Kathy Swift, Pathway's East of England director, said: "Foster carers offer an invaluable service helping children and young people from difficult backgrounds rebuild their lives for the better.

"The motivation for becoming a foster carer should always be a desire to help vulnerable children, but people are increasingly recognising the benefits a career in fostering can offer such as flexible working, a structured career path, training and a competitive salary.

She added: "While foster care isn't for everybody, we'd like people with an open mind and great listening skills to consider what the role could do for them and many vulnerable young children.  Fostering can be challenging but for the right person it's hugely rewarding."