A COUNCIL is appealing to its residents to consider fostering or adopting a child.

People from all walks of life are being invited to offer children the experience of family life.

Stockton Borough Council will host its next information evening for prospective foster carers and adopters on Thursday, March 23 from 5.30pm at Thornaby Central Library.

Councillor Ann McCoy, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council's Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, explains: "Fostering provides children with safe, stable and loving families for a period of time when they are unable to live with their own parents.

“Children in the Borough may need foster carers because of family crisis, because parents are finding it difficult to cope or because children are suffering abuse or neglect.

“Foster placements can be short-term or long-term, and some may even lead to adoption, depending on the needs of the child.

“We recruit and support foster carers and adoptive parents from a variety of backgrounds so we can match our children with the most suitable families.

“If you have the skills and experience to give a local child a loving home, do get in touch.”

For information or to register for the upcoming event, call 01642 526218 or email child.placement@stockton.gov.uk.