Many wrongly believe they can't be a foster carer

Action for Children, a leading foster care provider, found that, in Wales:

• 50% wrongly think you can't be a carer if you are over 55
• 36% wrongly think you need to stay in full-time employment to be a carer
• 36% wrongly think you can't foster if you live in rented accommodation

• 31% wrongly think you can't be a carer if you are gay
• 12% wrongly think you can't be the main foster carer if you are a man

2,004 people around the UK were surveyed by Populus between 17-19 July.

The charity has launched an online 'Myth Busting Academy' on its website, to give people more information on who can foster.

Click here to visit Action for Children's Myth Busting Academy

Nine percent of people in Wales don't understand what fostering means, and what rights and responsibilities a carer has.

A child or young person is fostered when they can't live with their own family due to temporary problems they are facing, such as drug and alcohol abuse, or ill health.