DORSET Council said it plans to host more upcoming fostering events following positive feedback at a recent event in Dorchester.

Dorset Council hosted the fun-filled family day for its fostering community at the South West Regional Assessment Centre (SWRAC), near Dorchester.

The event took place during February half term and was a great success, with 18 families in attendance – made up of 21 adult carers and 37 children and young people.

It follows a report that in-house foster carers, paid for and managed by Dorset Council, now provide homes for less than half of the county’s 440 children in care.

A spokesman from Dorset Council said: "Family days like this are so important because not only did it give our fostering community a chance to build relationships with each other, it gave us a valuable opportunity to hear directly from those being fostered."

Dorset Council’s Youth Voice team, alongside the Virtual School and Fostering team, will be planning more of these whole-family events throughout the year to make sure there is something for everyone to take part in.

If you’d like more information about Dorset Council’s Youth Voice Team, email: youthvoice@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk.

For the Virtual School contact: sonia.balchin@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk