A secure, loving, dare I say, "normal" family life, is something that most of us take for granted.

We know there is always someone there to help us out and offer support, whatever the problem.

Some families are not so lucky and are unable or unwilling to provide the correct upbringing a child needs.

Fostering gives families a much-needed break and support and, most importantly, it helps to care for every child's needs.

Shelagh Gregory, a team leader for Services for Looked After Children, started out as a carer herself but after six years she decided to train as a social worker.

She got involved after working as a chef at a home for children with disabilities.

"I realised that I got a massive amount of pleasure from looking after these children." said Shelagh.

"Working with children is great as no two days are ever the same.

"I do miss fostering now that I am social worker. I love being with children and whatever has happened it is not the children's fault.

"Their behaviour problems come from what the adults have done or not done for them."

There are 402 looked-after children within Sunderland, with just over half of those living with foster carers.

Shelagh said: "As a foster carer you are chief cook and bottle washer, you do everything that a parent would do.

"Carers are ordinary people who do an extraordinary task. They take children into their homes, lives and hearts."

There are 159 foster carers in Sunderland which may sound a lot but there are 139 children who are yet to be placed with families.

Shelagh said: "We have some carers in Sunderland who have been caring for 35 years which shows we have got some things right.

"The support we give and by being available says to the carer you're not on your own, we are here for you."

The primary aim of the fostering network is to return children to their families if it is possible.

It is the last resort is to remove children, initially a social worker will try to work with the families so that the children can stay in the home.

This week is the start of Fostering Fortnight and Sunderland fostering services are appealing for people to volunteer and help make a dent in the shortage of carers available.

Shelagh said: "There is a shortage in Sunderland but this is the same all over the country.

"Children want to stay near where they go to school and where their friends are.

"It is important when finding a foster carer that the child's links with their birth family are not removed.

"Fostering fortnight highlights to the country that we need people to come forward.

"Don't rule yourself out, fostering families come in all shapes and sizes. You can be young, old, single or married."

It is up to you what you can offer, maybe you can only give one weekend a month but that little bit of support gives some parents a light at the end of the tunnel as they know there will be some relief.

"If you ask carers what keeps them going," said Shelagh, "They will all say it is watching kids progress, that beaming smile when they come home from school, learning to read and write or just sitting at the table to eat a meal.

"It really makes a difference we have a number of children who are now going to university, the stability they received from their carers makes a difference in their lives.

"They end up as successful adults in the world putting into practice what they have learnt from their foster families."

She added: "Sunderland foster carers change Sunderland children's lives for the better."

* Fostering and adoption information services are held every month which prospective carers can attend. For more information call 0191 520 5555 or visit www.sunderland.gov.uk

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