DORSET Council has apologised after a social media campaign seeking new foster carers suggested “all you need is a spare room”.

The county’s police and crime commissioner and a former councillor were among those who complained after the authority tweeted using the hashtag #fosteringpays.

The authority has said it only intended to suggest that fostering was a rewarding thing to do and has apologised for any offence.

The tweet that caused offence said: “Room for one more? All you need is a spare room. Become a foster carer and provide a safe and secure home for a young person or child. It will make the world of difference to them!” before adding the #FosteringPays hashtag.

Dorset’s police and crime commissioner, Martyn Underhill, complained, saying the tweet was “wrong on so many levels”.

Mr Underhill said: “I am an ex-foster parent. I fostered nearly 30 children and it was one of the most fulfilling and most challenging things I have ever done.

“It takes a really special, resilient person or family to undertake this humbling task. ‘Having a spare room’ really doesn’t give the role due credit or explain the complexity. I hope their comms team will learn from this.”

Former Weymouth Labour councillor Rachel Rogers also wrote to complain, tweeting: “To say the only thing you need is a spare room is incredibly superficial because it’s quite clearly not the only thing you need.

“I understand what they’re trying to do. I know they’re trying to get more foster carers from a wide range of the community.

“I wouldn’t want anybody to think I’m criticising the council generally. I think they’re doing a good job in difficult circumstances. I know how much their budgets have been cut and I know very well how much council budget goes into children’s social care.

“They’re doing a difficult job at a difficult time. I just think the emphasis was wrong.”

Dorset Council tweeted in response: “The message that you need love and a spare room aims to correct a common misconception that only a certain type of person can express an interest in fostering. We welcome enquiries from people from all walks of life. Sorry if we’ve caused offence.”

It said the #FosteringPays hashtag led to images that promoted fostering as a “rewarding and positive thing to do”. “The secondary message is that carers receive an allowance. We desperately need more carers and enquiries are up 25 per cent. We will carefully consider feedback,” the authority added.