Michelle Mangan had been searching for a profession to fit in with family life.

After spending 29 years in financial retail, she found her true vocation – as a foster carer.

“It was a massive change because it was totally different to what I had done,” she said.

Serving as a governor at her children’s school and doing voluntary work had given her an insight into helping others and doing “something worthwhile”.

“All that was going through my head and even though my children were at upper school I wanted to be at home for them as well,” said Mrs Mangan.

She had considered working in a school but after hearing about how rewarding fostering was to parents of her children’s friends, she looked into it.

She discussed the idea with her family, husband Billy and children Emily and Jack, before making the life-changing decision.

This October the couple will have been fostering for three years and have had four permanent placements. Their first was an 18-month-old girl with medical issues who spent nine months with them.

Mrs Mangan said: “We do short-term fostering, which is up to two years but it is so varied.”

She admits it can be hard to let go, but she said: “When you see them from when they first come it’s like a different child; all that you have done with them and whatever issues they have had.

“I love making such a difference to a child from the first time they walk in to when they leave. ”

She says sharing the family home with children less fortunate benefits her own children too.

“As a family it keeps us very grounded. We’re doing something very worthwhile and hopefully it makes us better people as well.”