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Jan 16

National Foster Carers Appeal

A national appeal for foster carers has been backed by Lancashire County Council’s cabinet member for children, young people and schools. 

The Fostering Network said last week that at least 8,600 new foster families were needed to provide stable, secure and loving homes for record numbers of fostered children.

County Councillor Matthew Tomlinson, who oversees services for children in care, says there is a local need for people to offer homes to children and young people.

He said: “We still need more foster carers to help look after children in Lancashire who can’t stay with their own families.

“It’s not easy to put a figure on exactly how many we need. We certainly don’t have! children on some kind of waiting list – if a child or young person needs to be removed for their own safety, then we will always take action.

“But we have more children in care now than ever – well over 1,500 at the end of 2013. So we need more foster carers to help us match children with suitable placements, and keep them close to friends and school if that’s best for them.

“All the foster carers I’ve met have told me how rewarding they find the work. You don’t need any particular qualifications: our foster carers are ordinary people, doing an extraordinary job.

“We have friendly staff to help potential foster carers through the process and we welcome inquiries from all kinds of people. We’ve even had carers from other agencies coming to join us.

“I’d like to encourage anyone who feels they might be interested to contact us on 0800 195 1183 or visit www.lancashire.gov.uk/fostering. There’s no obligation and it might make all the difference to a child’s life – and to theirs.”