Seventeen years ago Mary Yeo prepared to welcome her first foster child into her home.

She knew 10-year-old Jonathan Unwin had Downs Syndrome and like most foster mothers, had no idea how long he would be with her.

Jonathan is now 27, and still in Mary and her husband Richard’s care.

Mary is now called Jonathan’s adult carer. Under Kent County Council’s Adult Placement Scheme, carers take people into their home who are unable to live independently.

Mrs Yeo spoke about their special relationship as Kent County Council appealed for more adult carers to come forward to help more children out of residential care and into a family environment.

Mrs Yeo, of Queens Road, Barming said: “My other son Paul, 24, is disabled and as he reached a certain age I didn’t want to go back to work as I didn’t want to leave him.

“I looked into fostering and realised I could provide support for another disabled child.

“Jonathan was the first person to visit us and he has stayed ever since.”

Jonathan, who attended Bower Grove and Five Acre Wood schools in Maidstone, developed a love of bowling, evidenced by a windowsill of trophies.

He has worked for the past five years at AMF Bowling in King Street. A keen actor he is a member of the Harmony Variety Group, which meets in Shepway. He also finds time to volunteer with a community group.

His mother died in 1996 and he sees his father regularly. Later this month his dad will re-marry and the entire family will be at the ceremony.

Jonathan said: “I lead a busy life and it is non-stop. My dream is to get married and have my own house.”

Mrs Yeo added: “The big thing for us has been helping Jonathan to travel independently, which he couldn’t do until he was aged 18. He is allowed to get to work and places he knows how to reach.

“There is always a constant balance between his freedom and staying safe.

“If he wants to do something, then we have to sit down and work out how to do it and often a compromise is reached.

“I can draw on support from social services and I know there will be people who can help prepare Jonathan when he gets his own home.

“It is not always an easy role, but it is rewarding and you get to see the progress he has made.”

n Information on the Adult Placement Scheme from 01233 652401 or kent.gov.uk/adultplacementscheme