TWENTY-FIVE children may be considered a large family, but for foster carer Margaret Fenton it is nothing out of the ordinary.

The Scunthorpe housewife fostered her first child seven years ago and hasn't looked back – and is urging others to get involved as part of Foster Care Fortnight.

"We adopted a daughter about 12 years ago, then thought we'd quite like another," she said.

"But we were aware it's quite hard work, so we looked at fostering instead."

Since making that decision, she has housed children of various ages, requiring a mixed approach.

Margaret currently cares for three children, including a baby, but has also cared for a 15-year-old.

"They're all different so all challenges are different. Some only come for a week, some stay for five years," she said.

She estimates 90 per cent of the children she has looked after are only temporarily in care while problems are resolved at home, but others are in the care system long-term.

"They've all been through things they shouldn't have been through," she said.

"I had no problems with school – all mine have been fine. The kids' behaviour has been challenging, but the schools work with me."

She was speaking out in support of North Lincolnshire Council's bid to boost its number of registered foster carers by 87.

Foster carers in the region cared for about 203 children last year, but it is estimated about 8,200 more carers are still needed across the UK.

For more information, contact the fostering team on 01652 656005.

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