A SINGLE mum from Trowbridge is calling for more people in the area to consider a career as a foster carer to help tackle a nationwide shortage.

Susan Carveth, who previously spent time caring for adults with disabilities and has been a foster carer for 13 years, is using Foster Care Fortnight, which runs from Monday, May 8 – Sunday, May 21, to share her passion for fostering.

The 55-year-old has three grown-up children of her own and had a desire to help young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, who may not have had the same opportunities as her own children.

She has fostered four children in total and is currently looking after nine-year-old Sarah, whose name has been changed to protect her identity.

Mrs Carveth said: “Foster care isn’t a 9-5 job, you have to have a real desire to help young people.

“You can’t replace a child’s parents, but you can parent them safely so they are best equipped to deal with the adult world when they grow up.”

Mrs Carveth works for switched fostering agency Five Rivers, an independent fostering agency which has an office in Bristol.

Since then, she has specialised as a therapeutic foster carer, undertaking multiple courses that focus on making children feel safe. It enables better parenting, and is a new approach to helping children from difficult backgrounds.

“Foster children can come from chaotic, frightening, and unpredictable backgrounds. Their brains are wired differently, and they have to be met with a different approach,” she added.

“As a foster carer, you can help them understand their own behaviours, which aids the healing process.

“Five Rivers facilitate personal development, skills enhancement, and increased knowledge – which is the answer and key to helping these children.”

Mrs Carveth is building a close, trusting relationship with Sarah, and is encouraging her newfound love of history, nature, and fancy dress.

“Her school work is improving and the school has fantastic support in place. 

“She recently spent some time writing lists about positivity, and all the positive things in her life. All the little things like that make up one big picture; as a foster carer, it’s really rewarding.”

For more information about fostering contact Five Rivers on 01173 216936 or visit www.five-rivers.org/fostering