A new campaign has been launched by Cumbria County Council to encourage more potential foster carers to come forward in 2022.

The pandemic, along with more children coming into care each month, means there is an urgent demand for foster carers across the county.

There are more than 700 children and young people in care across Cumbria and while the council supports around 275 foster carers already, the Council are always looking for more potential foster carers to join ‘Cumbria’s biggest family’.

There is a particular demand for more carers for slightly older children and siblings who need permanent or long-term placements.

Cllr Anne Burns, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, said: “We need long-term carers who can provide love, security and commitment to a vulnerable child and support them into adulthood. This is ‘fostering without having to say goodbye’ to the child, as they remain in your family.”

The Council have organised an event for those who have thought about becoming a foster carer but aren’t sure if they have everything you need or don’t know where to start. The event take places on Saturday 29th at the George Hotel in Penrith from 10am to 12pm.

For further information visit www.cumbria.gov.uk/fostering or call 0303 333 1216.