Foster shortage 'due to myths'

Britain is facing a shortage of 9,000 foster carers this year as many people mistakenly believe myths about who would be allowed to foster children, a children's charity has said.

At sixty-four, foster mother Maggie Webster, wrongly believed she would be too old and says, "I still think I've got loads to give a child".

ITV News' Sejal Karia reports.

Read: Dispelling the myths: A guide to becoming a foster carer

Tracy Davison, who with her partner Jenny Godbold became one of the first same-sex couples to foster in Scotland, called it "the best job I have ever done".

Ms Davison said: "Anyone can foster ... Nobody should be afraid, as long as you can provide a safe, secure and loving environment it really is worth it.

"Having foster children is like having your own child - you have to have an open heart and each child is unique."

Former Dragons' Den star Richard Farleigh told Daybreak he views foster care as "society's band-aid".

Farleigh, who was taken into foster care at an early age, said fostering "repairs cases and puts children back into society".

He said being fostered "completely changed my life":

The charity Action for Children said members of the public incorrectly believe that you cannot foster a child if you are:

• Living in rented accommodation
• Gay
• Not in full-time employment
• Over 55-years-old
• Male

Read: UK faces shortage of 9,000 foster carers due to 'myths'

The UK is facing a shortage of 9,000 foster carers this year as many people mistakenly believe they would not be allowed to foster children, a children's charity has said.

Action for Children wants to dispel the "myths" surrounding fostering in a bid to encourage more people to think about taking in a child.

The charity said 96% of those asked also did not know how many children are currently in care, which is around 91,000 in the UK.