A RECRUITMENT drive is being held to encourage more foster parents to come forward.

The number of children in care who need foster homes has risen over the past five years. It is estimated that nearly 9,000 new fosters carers are needed to meet demand across the UK as 14 per cent of the workforce retire or leave each year.

In Middlesbrough, there is a specific need for carers for large sibling groups and older children.With about 360 young people now in local authority care, but only 160 in family placements, the aim is to increase the number of carers in the town to 100 by 2014.

Foster Care Fortnight, a national awareness-raising initiative, runs until Sunday.

One of the highlights of the campaign will be a foster care recognition evening at Middlesbrough Municipal Golf Course on Thursday, when the achievements of local foster carers will be celebrated.

Family placement team manager at Middlesbrough Council, Lynn Woodhouse, said: "It is impossible to overstate the importance of the role played by foster carers, but we need more people to come forward. There is no such thing as a typical foster carer. We are looking to recruit people who can offer the children we are looking after a stable and caring home."

To find out more about becoming a foster carer, call the Middlesbrough fostering team on 01642-201962; email family_placement@middlesbrough.gov.uk; or visit middlesbrough.gov.uk/fostering