A TEACHER who quit her job to care for vulnerable Inverclyde children is encouraging others to take the plunge.

Amanda Boyd, 40, taught primary school children for 15 years but handed in her notice last year to become a foster carer.

The mum-of-three and husband Rodger, 44, who live in Kilmacolm, were thrown in at the deep end when they were given a two-day-old baby to look after.

Now almost a year later, the couple say it has been a hugely rewarding experience and are urging others to find out more about fostering.

Amanda told the Telegraph: "We're quite new to fostering, we only registered a year ago.

"We got our first placement pretty soon and we got him when he was only two days old.

"I was a teacher part-time in Renfrewshire and got him two days before I finished up.

"It's been a nice change.

"I love it, I really do."

Amanda had always harboured hopes of fostering but had initially thought it was something for later in life when her and Rodger were older and when their own children - Emma, 10, Eilidh, eight, and Hannah, six - had grown up.

But she is glad they signed up sooner rather than later and is urging people of all ages to find out more.

Amanda, who is from Kilmacolm, said: "I've always wanted to adopt or foster from a young age.

"When I went into teaching I said I was only going to do that for ten years or so and ended up doing it for fifteen years.

"I wanted to do teaching then do something else and foster when the kids were older.

"A few years ago I started getting itchy feet in my job and I remember saying to Rodger, 'how about doing fostering when we are younger so the kids can be part of the process?'.

"We spoke to the girls about it and they were totally up for it.

"As a family, it's been really good for us.

"The kids love babies and they've totally warmed to the whole process."

The couple shared their story to mark the national Foster Care Fortnight, which runs from May14-27.

Rodger, who is originally from Gourock, said: "Overall, it's been a fantastic, positive experience.

"Fostering is a massive subject but you get all the support you need.

"It's also been helpful for us with our three girls."

To find out more about fostering, Inverclyde Council is hosting an information morning in Greenock Town Hall on Tuesday (MAY 22) form 10am until noon.

There will be tea and coffee.

Anyone interested in becoming a foster carer can call 715365 or visit www.inverclyde.gov.uk/health-and-social-care for further details.