In just three and a half years, one Tamworth family have helped 15 children by taking them into their home and providing them with a safe and caring environment.

And the Stokes family from Fazeley are adamant that fostering these children has been one of the most rewarding things they have ever done.

But not all children in need of somewhere to stay in Staffordshire are lucky enough to find a place with a foster family like the Stokes's. Everyday in Staffordshire concerned social workers desperately search for homes for another 15 children.

But a national shortage of foster carers means that some of these children, who need to spend time away from their parents through no fault of their own, have to be taken to children's homes until a place becomes available.

"It's hard work but so rewarding." said Diana Stokes, 46, who, along with her husband and two grown up children, took the decision to become a foster carer in 1998.

"It was a family decision for us because everyone is involved.
"The children seem to settle down very quickly into family life which some haven't experienced before. It is a commitment but a very happy one and to see the children's happy faces is wonderful."

Diana and her family foster younger children who are aged between newborn and six or seven-years-old. All of the children, the youngest being aged nine weeks old and the oldest being seven-years-old, have returned to their parents except one, who went on to find adoptive parents.

"We often get asked if it's really hard to hand the children back but although it's always sad you are prepared for them to go back to their family and it's nice to know that it's under better circumstances.
"When one child we looked after was adopted, we worked closely with the social worker and the new parents so that the handover went beautifully.
"The length of time the children stay with you varies." added Diana, who usually fosters two children at a time, and is currently caring for a four-year-old and a two-year-old child.

"They can stay for just a weekend or on a much longer term basis but you are given a lot of support from a link worker and you are never under pressure to take on a child that you don't feel you can cope with."

According to Lyn Wilding from Staffordshire Family Placement Services, the biggest need is for foster carers for older children and teenagers.
"People assume that teenagers need foster care because they are in trouble but this often isn't the case - there are a number of reasons for needing to place them in foster homes which they themselves cannot help."

It is a sentiment echoed by another Tamworth carer, Jean Ward, who began offering supported lodgings to teenagers coming out of care 12 years ago.

Jean, 57, who lives in Kettlebrook, has now fostered six teenagers who have stayed with her for over six months having now cared for one youngster for over two years.
"There's a great need for people to look after this age group." Jean said.
"People think that all teenagers are trouble so they tend to get forgotten.
"It's a shame to tar them all with the same brush.
"The placements are usually long term and can be permanent but I do emergency fostering on a rota basis as well, which is every six weeks."

Emergency fostering means that Jean could get a call from someone on the Family Placement Team who need to find somewhere for a teenager to stay for a couple of days or just over the weekend. But she insists that caring for young people has many rewards.

"My own children are grown up now and I have three grandchildren aged six, ten and 11 who love having young people around.
"You are bringing them into your home and family, so you treat them as you would your own children.
"We go on holiday in the summer because they shouldn't miss out on things that other children have just because they're not living with their parents.
"It's always sad to see them moving on but you have prepared yourself for it and the young people that have stayed with me all keep in touch.

Jean added: "You always think of them and it's nice to hear that they are doing well. "People shouldn't let the fact that they're teenagers put them off, they bring their own kind of reward."

Staffordshire Family Placement Services have found that many different people have the skills needed to become a foster carer, not just families with children.

Foster carers can be married, single or living with their partner, employed or unemployed and can be over 50-years-old. They are assessed on whether they can provide a caring and supportive environment for as long as it is needed.

"Fostering requires time, patience and commitment as many of the children placed have had many unhappy experiences." said Lyn Wilding.
"Foster carers are needed from all walks of life, people who have some experience of life and the challenges which need to be met."