A CHARITY dedicated to helping vulnerable children is calling on Dudley people to help fill a foster homes shortage.

The Fostering Network says at least 925 new foster families are needed across the West Midlands during 2014 to close a gap in care which is growing because the number of young people in need of homes has reached record levels.

More than 6,650 youngsters are currently placed with foster families in the West Midlands but more foster families are needed, particularly to provide homes for teenagers, children with disabilities and sibling groups.

Robert Tapsfield, chief executive of the Fostering Network, said: “Children and young people come into care for a wide range of reasons, but all come needing professional, dedicated and compassionate support. Foster carers are remarkable people who open their homes to some of society’s most vulnerable and disadvantaged children and young people.

“Fostering services across the West Midlands need to attract a diverse range of foster carers who can reflect the children in care and who can offer as much choice as possible so that they can find the right home for each child, first time.

“We urgently need people who believe that they have the right skills and qualities to foster to come forward and make a long lasting positive difference to the life of a child.”

Details of fostering services, fostering and becoming a foster carer are available from couldyoufoster.org.uk.