"Nine times out ten I enjoy every part of fostering," says Joyce.

She's been a foster carer for the City of Edinburgh Council for about 14 years now and currently looks after five children, ranging in age from a baby to the oldest who is nine, as well as her own son.

Joyce is one of the carers to be featured in a major recruitment campaign underway across Scotland at the moment which is being organised by the local radio station, Scot FM.

She said: "I became a carer when I was on my own with my son, and a friend of mine was doing it and she just loved it.

"I really enjoy the challenge of all the different children. It is lots of fun. You meet lots of different people, you know, including other carers. It really is very satisfying."

"You don't have to be anybody special and you don't need a great big mansion. I started off with two bedrooms on my own with my son and, you know, two grown children. It can be great fun and you're helping people, too. It's just lovely, it really is."

The 'Search for the Hero' radio campaign, on Scot FM, 96.3 QFM and Wave 102, runs until April 15 and is said to be the largest joint fostering initiative ever run in Scotland.

It is supported by the National Foster Care Association, the British Agencies for Adoption and Fostering, the Confederation of Scottish Local Authorities and Care Scotland.

The aim is to increase the choice of foster care placements in Scotland and to do this up to 600 new carers are needed.

There is a particular shortage of people who can look after youngsters with disabilities or special needs.

One of those carers who specialises in caring for these kinds of children is Liz, a carer for Glasgow City Council.

"I get on really well with kids and we just felt we'd like to 1ook after children," said Liz who cares long term for a brother and sister, both with special needs.

"The girl has a moderate learning difficulty. It's great to see how she's developing," she said.

"The wee boy's got physical disabilities. He's got cerebral palsy and needs a great deal of physical care but he's a joy to look after - and he's such a happy wee boy and he's got a chuckle that if I could put it in a bottle I'd make a million pounds."

She encouraged people think about fostering to go for it. "You don't need a lot of toys or equipment or cash, you just need a nice warm home and a lot of caring for the kids.

"Children need to be safe, they need to know that they're safe. That's all that children want, just to be looked after."

John is a foster carer for Renfrewshire Council and looks after two children, a boy and a girl.

"I did it because I feel children have got a right to be cared for. That's really it. They've got a right. They have a right to be loved, to be given boundaries. There's a lot of work but it's rewarding it really is.

"We've got wee boy. He's great. He's doing really well now. He didn't really speak much. He hadn't got a lot of input in his life, but he's coming on like nothing on earth, I'll tell you."

There are 15 councils taking part in the Scot FM appeal. They are: Glasgow City Council, Edinburgh City Council, East Renfrewshire Council, Renfrewshire Council, West Lothian Council, Falkirk Council, MidLothian, Stirling Council, South Lanarkshire Council, East Ayrshire Council, Dundee Council, Inverclyde Council, Clackmannanshire Council, South Ayrshire Council, West Dunbartonshire Council.

Potential foster carers need to be over 21 years old, although some councils might run 'befriending schemes' for people under that age. You don't need to be married or in a partnership or own your own home.

People interested in becoming a carer can call a confidential helpline on 08700 502 502. Lines are open from Monday to Friday, 7.30am to 9pm, Saturdays 10am to 6pm and Sundays 10am to 6pm.

Watch out for more on the Search for the Heroes campaign on Adoption-net.

See also:

Searching for heroes...