TV chef Lorraine Pascale has been named as the UK Government's first fostering ambassador.
Pascale was fostered as a toddler and has spoken about her childhood on a number of occasions, as well as campaigning for foster children and their families to be given more support.
In her new post, she will be using her own experiences to "champion fostering" and encourage more people to think about becoming a foster carer, the Department for Education (DfE) said.
Pascale, who is also an author, said she was "extremely honoured" to be invited to take up the role, adding she is looking forward to helping ministers in their efforts to ensure that fostered children get the best care possible.
"It's a cause that's extremely close to my heart and I know from personal experience how critical and important this work is," she said.
"I very much look forward to getting started in the new year."
Children's Minister Edward Timpson, who grew up with over 80 fostered siblings, said: "As someone who grew up as part of a large foster family, I know only too well that fostering can be one of the most rewarding experiences life can bring, as well as having a life-changing impact on a child's life.
"Lorraine is an inspiration to many foster children and their parents. I'm delighted to have her on board as the Government's first fostering ambassador and I know together we can make a real difference in encouraging more people to open their hearts and homes to children waiting to be fostered."
Ministers have already announced a series of reforms to overhaul adoption and fostering including changing rules to allow children to stay with their foster families until they are 21, giving foster carers powers to make day-to-day decisions about children in their care, such as haircuts and school trips, and making the fostering assessment process clearer and quicker.
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