MORE than 600 teenagers in Teesside and Darlington need fostering - but councils say there is a shortage of people coming forward as carers.

The over-11s make up almost half of the 1,300 children across the area who cannot live with their birth families and need foster carers, for many different reasons.

Now the five local authorities in the Tees Valley have joined forces in a drive to find more foster carers, particularly for vulnerable teenagers.

Not enough people are coming forward to look after children in their teenage years - and the Tees Valley Fostering Team, a collaboration between the councils, is now recruiting more people who think they could support teenagers on a "long term" basis - over two years or more.

It is usually until the youngster no longer needs foster care and is able to live independently.

Having more of these types of foster carers means that fewer teenagers will be placed outside the Tees Valley.

The recruitment campaign begins this week with a TV advert, featuring real foster carers from the Teesside and Darlington area, which is due to be aired on Sky TV channels.

Tees Valley Fostering is also holding a series of events at Morrisons supermarkets to offer information and advice to anyone considering becoming a foster carer.

It is hoped the events will help dispel myths about fostering teenagers.

Sue Mansell, Safeguarding Assistant Team Manager with Middlesbrough Council and a spokesperson for Tees Valley Fostering, said: “Every single young person within the Tees Valley is important to us and we have a duty to do everything we can to find safe and secure foster placements for children who need to be looked after.

“The reality here in the Tees Valley is that there is always a high demand for suitable foster carers, yet not enough people are coming forward who can support our teenagers.

“We are looking for people from all age groups and backgrounds who have a spare bedroom and can offer a young person a loving, stable home, and make them feel a part of their family.

“There has never been a more important time to find out about becoming a foster carer and the support available to you from your local authority’s fostering service.

“Our foster carers play a vital role in helping to shape the lives of young people and ensuring they have every opportunity to have happy and successful futures.”

*For more information about fostering or the information events, visit www.teesvalleyfostering.com, www.facebook.com/teesvalleyfostering or https://twitter.com/teesfostering