Residents urged to consider fostering

Today the authority is launching a new campaign urging local families to get involved in foster care, whether short-term or long-term fostering.

Fostering is under immense pressure due to year-on-year increases in the number of children coming into care and the chronic shortage of just over 8,000 foster carers in England.

Since 2007 there has been an increase of at least 6,000 children that have come in to care across the UK. This is reflected in our growing demand for foster carers in Kirklees.

There are currently more then 340 children and young people from Kirklees in foster care. Over 100 are placed with foster families outside the area because there are not enough local foster carers. Moving a child away from their school, their friends and family can be very distressing, and if it is a short-term placement it can have a negative impact on schooling.

Councillor Ken Smith, joint Cabinet member for children and families said: "There is a general all-round shortage of foster carers across Kirklees although we do particularly need more people to look after teenagers and sibling groups plus carers who would be interested in short break, support care or long term fostering.

"It is very important that we acknowledge the contribution that our foster carers are already making to the lives of looked after children in our community. We truly value their hard work and commitment. We really need more people to come forward to help us reduce the number of children being cared for outside the area.

"Foster carers work as part of a team, with social workers, teachers and other professionals to help the children they look after. They provide care for children and young people in their home, while their own family are unable to look after them."

Visit www.kirklees.gov.uk/fostering or call 0800 389 0086.