AN appeal has been issued for new foster parents in Bradford, as part of a national drive.

A total of 720 foster families are needed in Yorkshire and the Humber. This is out of 8,370 required across the UK.

The plea has been made as part of Foster Care Fortnight, held from today until Sunday, June 14.

Bradford Council officials are particularly looking to hear from potential fosterers to provide homes for teenagers, children with physical, learning or emotional disabilities, children from Eastern European backgrounds and groups of brothers and sisters.

As part of Foster Care Fortnight, Bradford Council is hosting a range of drop-in events across the district to encourage people to become a foster carer.

It is an annual national campaign aimed at raising the profile of fostering.

The scheme also provides an opportunity for fostering services up and down the country to get out into their communities and speak to potential new foster carers.

Councillor Ralph Berry, Bradford Council’s executive member for health and social care, says more foster carers are needed across the district.

He said: "We always need more people who can make a long lasting positive difference to the life of a child to come forward.

"Children and young people come into care for a wide range of reasons, but all come needing professional and compassionate support."

A total of 6,900 foster families are needed in England, with North West England looking for 1,200 and London requiring 1,020.

Scotland needs 750 more foster families, Wales 550 and Northern Ireland 170, according to the latest figures from The Fostering Network.

Bradford Council is looking to hear from people from all walks of life. All potential applicants must be aged over 21 and have a spare room in their home.

They can be married, co-habiting, single or divorced but must be available full-time.

According to Bradford Council's website, once a person has submitted an initial application form, the fostering process can take between six to nine months.

The process also includes a telephone interview.

Will, who is a single male, long term foster carer and has been fostering for 11 years, said: "Fostering can seem like a real challenge and sometimes it is, but I had a lot of good support and training to help us through our early days.

"The rewards are huge, children who have come to me have gone on to university and that is a massive achievement on all parts."

Meanwhile, a total of 40 per cent fostered teenagers are already living with their third foster family since coming into care, a national survey has found.

The study, covering more than 1,600 fostered children and young people, was also conducted by The Fostering Network.

For more information on becoming a foster parent in Bradford, call the council's fostering 01274 434331.