A career in foster care could be the solution

Over 50s in Devon are being encouraged to become foster carers as a way to boost their income and also to find more satisfaction in their work and life.

Research on behalf of Charity Age UK has focused much attention on the situation faced by job seekers over 50. A total of 170,000 job seekers in the country are over 50 and have been looking for work for more than a year.

Martin Leitch, the regional director for Pathway Care South West England, explained: “Those losing their jobs in their late 40s and 50s are faced with an uphill struggle to get a new one, particularly in the face of competition from younger candidates, who can often be employed on a lower salary.”

For this reason, Mr Leitch also indicated that, although shocking, the quoted figures are not surprising.

A report in This is The West Country suggests that fostering could be the ideal solution for many people over 50, for both its financial and personal rewards.

In the general job market, the tendency is to overlook over 50s, despite excellent qualifications, work experience and life skills.

When applying to become a foster carer, these qualities are vital. An increasing amount of foster care agencies recognise this, especially in the light of the current national shortage of around 10,000 foster carers.

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