THERE IS AN urgent need for more foster families in the South East this year.

In the South East 920 new foster families are needed, according to leading charity The Fostering Network, need to be found in the coming year to ensure that all children who need fostering can live with the right family to meet their needs.

There is a particular need for families who can foster teenagers and groups of brothers and sisters.

Without more foster families in the South East coming forward during 2018, and especially those who could foster teenagers and sibling groups, some children will find themselves living a long way from their family, school and friends, being split up from brothers and sisters, or being placed with a foster carer who might not have the right skills and experience to meet their specific needs.

More foster families means that a fostering service can match the needs of each child more closely with the skills and experience that each foster carer brings, allowing them to find the right home for each child, first time, and to improve stability for fostered children.

That is why, this Foster Care Fortnight, The Fostering Network is calling for people who think they might have the relevant skills and experience to come forward to find out more about fostering.

People who think they have the relevant skills and experience to be able to look after fostered children, enjoy a challenge and have a spare room can find out more at thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/advice-information/could-you-foster.

Kevin Williams is chief executive of the Fostering Network