A CHILDREN'S charity is looking for Fareham residents who can provide short-term foster care for youngsters in trouble with the law as an alternative to prison.

The Wessex Community Project, run by NCH in West Street, Fareham, has launched a recruitment drive to encourage families in the area to help troubled ten to 17-year-olds.

Project manager Barbara Russell said: "Remand custody is no place for children.

"Since 1990, 63 young people have committed suicide on custodial remands.

"Remand foster care provides a proven viable alternative and initiatives like Wessex Community Projectshare much more effective than punishment based programmes in reducing reoffending.

"Foster carers give a young person the chance to change their lives and in return get a sense of job satisfaction second to none."

No formal qualifications are required to become a foster carer, just time and a spare bedroom.

The project aims to provide youths with safe, secure and stable placements.

Foster carers work with the youth offending team and social services to help young people away from a life of crime.

Simon, a teenager currently in remand foster care through the Wessex Community Project, told the Daily Echo how being in foster care has changed his life.

He said: "My foster carer has helped me make the most important steps in my life, and has shown me that you can have fun without committing crimes and without doing drugs and alcohol and hanging around all night. Now I can start again."

Carers receive 24-hour support throughout the placement, regular training, including the opportunity to gain a professional childcare qualification, a generous allowance, holiday pay, and standby pay when a child is not in placement.

Anyone interested should call 0800 169 6286 or email sewcr@mail.nch.org.uk.

An open day will be held in the Saxon Suite of Winchester Guildhall on Saturday, September 18, between 11am and 4pm.