Acute need for more foster carers

To mark Foster Care Fortnight, which began on 12 May, the charity asked councils what their recruitment targets for foster carers were for the next year.

From the 86 per cent that responded, the charity worked out that 5,250 new carers were needed across the UK. In England, 760 are needed in the North West, 670 in London and 560 in the South East. In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland 1,020 more carers are required.

Robert Tapsfield, chief executive of the charity, said: "Without these foster carers, too many children will be denied stability."

www.couldyoufoster.org.uk.