A rallying call has gone out for Essex residents to come forward and help address the county’s shortage of foster families.

Across the county there are 1,336 looked after children, of which 900 are living at one of 650 homes in Essex providing foster care.

While not every looked after child is suitable for foster care, Essex County Council estimates 100 more carers are needed to come forward and offer a home.

A recruitment campaign is being launched to tell people they may already have the skills needed, they just don’t know it.

Peter Martin, deputy council leader, said: “It can be a daunting prospect caring for someone else’s child, but it is a role that’s carried out each day by ordinary people who have simply decided to use their everyday skills to do something amazing.

“All you need is a good sense of humour, tolerance, patience and a love of children. If you’ve got those, then fostering could be for you.

“It is the skills people use every day which define the foster carers we are looking for and which we are desperately short of in Essex – entertaining, caring, nurturing, cooking, driving and listening.

“I am certain there are many potential foster carers in Essex who will see this campaign and realise they could help change a child’s life.”

There is a nationwide shortage of foster carers, who can be male, female, single, married or a same sex couple.

Anyone who is over 21 with a spare bedroom, a love of children and can make a commitment can apply to become a carer, regardless of ethnicity, religion, disability or financial status.

To find out more, call 0800 801530 or visit essex.gov.uk/fostering