A SHORTAGE of foster families for teenagers in Bradford is at critical point, a children's charity has warned.

Barnardo's is using Fostering Week which ends this Sunday to highlight the problem which means more older children are having to stay in residential care because families can not be found.

Elli Lilburn-Quick, of the charity's fostering unit, said the experience for those unseen teens is deeply distressing situation and re-inforces feelings of worthlessness and low self-esteem.

She said: "Not only are they having to manage being a looked after child they also have to deal with the thought that there is no family available for them."

The Unseen Teens campaign is being backed by Dame Joan Collins, Brenda Blethyn, who are among t some of the stars who have released candid photos of themselves as adolescents to give their support. It also had the support of Lynda Bellingham who died last year.

There are 750 foster families needed across Yorkshire and Humberside to help address a shortfall of 8,600 carers nationally.

Barnardo’s chief executive officer Javed Khan said fostering a young person is described by the charity's carers as both the hardest and best job they have ever done.

“Most of us can remember the advice and support we received from our family growing up. Without the right foster family to care for them, many vulnerable children may never experience the kind of love and stability we take for granted.

“Currently a third of all children in foster care are moved between different families more than twice every year due to the lack of suitable foster carers. The number of children in the care system in the UK has risen for the eighth year in a row to more than 90,000 and at least 8,600 new foster carers are needed in the UK.

“It is a critical situation and Barnardo’s is looking for people with patience and commitment to provide a stable home for the most vulnerable children in the UK. Fostering is a caring career and I would encourage those who feel they have a lot of love to give to get in touch.”

There is no upper age limit to foster although there is a minimum age of 21. Barnardo’s does not exclude anyone from consideration on the grounds of marital status, gender, sexual orientation, disability or employment status and is keen to speak to individuals from the British Minority Ethnic and Lesbian Gay BT communities.

For more information go to barnardos.org.uk/fostering or call 0113 263 1464.

FOSTER MUM URGES OTHERS TO BECOME INVOLVED

BRADFORD grandma and foster mum Jeanette Threlfall, who has had two placements with older children, is also urging others to find out more about fostering with Barnardo’s.

The 47-year-old, who has grown-up children of her own and now a grandchild, had intensive training and gets 24-hour support from Barnardo’s workers.

She said: “It’s challenging fostering a child of any age, it’s just different challenges when they are older.

“The training and support is all there from Barnardo’s. We are just like any other family. People who have love and a good home to give should seriously consider it.”

Mrs Threlfall underwent an assessment process and, six months later, was matched with her first young person Hayley, who needed a short-term placement before a place at a residential school was available.

Her second placement has been with her family for nearly three years.

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