West Sussex County Council has vacancies for men and women who value the future of children and want a career that combines paid work with family life. Put simply the County Council is asking people to look at the skills and qualities they have that could make them great modern foster carers. This reflects the main message of Foster Care Fortnight earlier this year: 'Do you have the skills to foster?' West Sussex is so short of foster carers that the County Council is launching a major new recruitment campaign. Foster care has changed dramatically over the last 30 years. Today fostering is a career - one that combines family life with a skilled profession. Carers are needed throughout West Sussex to provide children with safe and caring homes while they are unable to live with their own families. Children and young people come into care for a number of reasons. It can be because their parents are experiencing difficulties or because a child has been neglected or abused. For some young people who have a disability the caring is shared with their parents to give them support. The role of a foster carer is so important in helping these children feel safe, wanted, secure and settled when they are away from their family. A foster carer can also help a child or young person to develop their skills and confidence, to rebuild their lives and fulfil their potential. West Sussex County Council's foster carers come from a wide variety of different backgrounds, ethnicity, ages and experience. But what they do have in common is the patience, resilience, space, time, and energy to meet the needs of children in their care - be it for a few days, weeks, months or longer. Knowing that you have helped change a child's life for the better can be very rewarding. Successful candidates will be subject to a CRB check. If you think you've got what it takes to foster and would like more information please visit www.westsussex.gov.uk/fostering Directorate: Adults and Children Hours: Various Posted Date: 23 July 2010 Closing Date: 23 December 2010 Interview Date: Ongoing Reference: