A FOSTER parent has said more people in Oxfordshire should offer their homes to over-13s.

Laura Church, 33, has been hosting teenage foster children in Bicester for the past eight years and said the experience is “really rewarding”.

In March, Ms Church gave birth to her first son Chase in March and her 14-year-old foster child, who has several siblings of his own living elsewhere, was on hand to give advice.

She said: “My foster child and my mum stayed at home but as soon as I had the baby he came to the hospital. He was so excited.

“He’s used to young children and showed me how to put the sling on and put the buggy up and sang songs to Chase.”

This week, Oxfordshire County Council began a new drive to recruit more foster parents for teenagers.

There are currently 549 children in care in Oxfordshire but only 384 in foster placements. Youngsters aged 13 and over make up about half of the total number, with 266 currently in care across the county.

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The council’s fostering team has also created a promotional video on the subject, now on YouTube. Ms Church, who has fostered about 10 teenagers for varying lengths of time, said: “There are challenges. I sometimes experience them running away or have to deal with self-harm.

“Some might have problems going to all their lessons or need an adapted time at school.

“But it’s very rewarding. They get settled. It’s a difficult age for them and you are teaching them life skills and independence. I had one girl that came to me with her school attendance at 20 per cent. Six months later she was at 100 per cent.” She also backed gave her support to the county council’s campaign, adding: “They have got a lot on their books and they need homes.

“I feel they should be cared for until they feel comfortable, not until they’re 18. My brother Decklan was fostered when he was three – he’s now 19 – and if he had had the chance he would have stayed longer.”

This forms part of a longer-term drive to boost the number of foster parents in Oxfordshire. Earlier this year the county council announced it would invest £180,000 in support hubs for short-term fosterers and is also looking for people willing to foster sibling groups and children with disabilities. Melinda Tilley, cabinet member for children, education and families, said: “Young people who find themselves in difficult situations are all different, and upwards of about 11 we can’t find homes for them.

“I think people see fostering teens as being difficult but show me a teenager that isn’t. They are no more difficult than anybody else and are always better in a home.”

Find out more about fostering opportunities