IF YOU'RE eager to give a young child a loving and stable family life, drop in for a cuppa this February.

Somerset County Council is specifically seeking people who want to embrace its rewarding Fostering to Adopt initiative for children aged zero to four and older.

Fostering to Adopt places a child with a family who have been approved as adopters, and who are given approval temporarily as foster carers for that specific child.

This is a positive option for the child, who will live with their likely adoptive family from a young age.

To date, 12 children have been successfully placed through Fostering to Adopt in Somerset.

To support the search, Costa Coffee is hosting two Coffee Evenings in Taunton and Yeovil for people who want to find out more, on:

• Tuesday February 16, 7pm to 9pm, Costa Taunton, Fore Street, TA1 1JW

• Thursday February 25, 7pm to 9pm, Costa Yeovil, Middle Street, BA20 1LE

Those who attend a Costa Coffee Evening will get to hear all about Fostering to Adopt and speak to people who have been through the process.

They will also have a chance to ask questions and receive a free Costa coffee and a cake.

Frances Nicholson, cabinet member for Children and Families at Somerset County Council, said: “Our priority in recruiting adopters now is to find those who can Foster to Adopt children aged zero to four.

"When it comes to adoption, there are many individuals and couples who envisage starting or expanding their family with a baby or a toddler and this scheme allows people to do just that.

“With Fostering to Adopt, it is highly likely that a child will go on to be adopted, however there is a chance that the plan for the child could change.

"People will need to work closely with social workers, and possibly the child’s birth family, to find the best solution for the child.

“I want to stress the extraordinary commitment and difference you can make by giving that child the warm, loving and secure start in life they really deserve, whatever happens.

"Please do sign up for one of the coffee evenings by phoning our Fostering Team on 080058-79900, if you want to find out more.”

For more information about Fostering to Adopt, to see the full list of fostering and adoption schemes, or to make an enquiry, phone 080058-79900 or visit www.fosteradoptsomerset.org.uk