Actor and educator Marcus J Freed is using drama to help solve the crisis in foster care. Mr Freed, 34, is running a series of actor-led sessions to help train foster carers and recruit new ones.

Already a success in London, he plans to take the workshop on a UK-wide tour. Mr Freed, who has been running drama-based workshops for people and businesses since 1999, tells People: “Over the past two years, we developed a programme for foster carers because of the ‘Baby P’ tragedy and the story of a teenage sex offender fostered in Wales.

“Using theatre-based techniques, we create a safe environment where we can challenge people to try out difficult scenarios in front of trained actors.” He says studies show that when you act out your lessons — as opposed to learning from books or a teacher — you remember far more of what you are taught.

The boss of creative communications company Freedthinking, Mr Freed is a professional actor. He trained at Webber Douglas Academy in South Kensington.