A CAMPAIGN has been launched to highlight an urgent need for more foster families.

The Fostering Network has said that, too often, a lack of suitable options nearby means children are placed with foster families away from their local community.

The charity is using Foster Care Fortnight, which runs until May 22, to urge more people to come forward and offer their services.

Foster carers who can support sibling groups are particularly needed, to ensure that children who can be cared for together don’t lose vital connections to those who are important to them.

The reasons children become looked after vary widely.

Jacqueline Cassidy, director of The Fostering Network in Scotland, said fostering locally enables children to maintain a sense of familiarity and provides the secure base they need in order to thrive.

“We cannot underestimate the importance of keeping siblings together and ensuring children are looked after in their local area, surrounded by everything they are familiar with already,” she added.

“Our foster carers go above and beyond to ensure children can maintain the relationships that are vital to them – and we urgently need more people to do so.

“We have made a promise to our children that we will help them achieve their best possible outcomes and, for this to happen, we need more people to come forward to foster.

“You can become a foster carer no matter your age, gender, relationship status or sexual orientation. The fostering community is open to people from all walks of life and backgrounds, so if you think you have what it takes to look after children, please look into fostering today.”

For more information, visit www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk.