We need all kinds of people to become foster carers for all types of children.

We place around 800 children a year in foster homes and have fostering teams in Colchester, Basildon, Harlow and Maldon.

Without foster carers those children are sometimes placed outside of Essex away from family and friends. It's hard to be separated from your family, but being moved somewhere unfamiliar, perhaps where you know nobody, makes it much harder.

We need foster carers with all kinds of skills, particularly people who can look after older children, children with disabilities and brothers and sisters together.

Most foster children return to their families, so legal responsibility for the child is shared with the local authority and the child's parents.

We don't pretend that fostering is easy, it can be demanding but the rewards are huge. Knowing you will help some of the most vulnerable young people feel good about themselves can give you tremendous satisfaction.To find out what it's like to be a foster carer in Essex, and hear the views of existing foster carers please view our video under related links.