MORE than 600 children in Cumbria are in need of foster carers and the number is rising, say a local charity.

Community Foster Care (CFC) is appealing for people who can offer stability and security from babies to teenagers.

Loren Hannah, of CFC, said: "Foster carers come from all walks of life and can be single, married or divorced; male or female and must be aged over 25.

A recruitment session at the New Life Church will be held by CFC, which is based in Workington, at the New Life Church, Whitehaven, on Wednesday, May 4.

“If you want to join an agency that feels like a large family with a high level of support, that is what we are about,” said Loren. 

In 2012/13, Cumbria County Council's fostering team made a total of 350 placements. About 20 percent of children placed were under one year old, almost 50 percent were five years or younger. Around 16 percent were aged between 14 and 15 years.

This included children with special needs such as those with a physical or learning disability and those with mental health and behaviourial problems. Neglect is the most common reason for children coming into care in Cumbria.

Community Foster Care held a recruitment event earlier this week at the New Life Church which saw Meg Arnold, a placement support worker, and Kerry Simmonds, a student social worker, aiming to encourage people to consider foster caring.

Meg said: "Foster carers need a fondness for children, and they need to be willing to keep learning and be open-minded. It is about making a difference to the lives of children.

"When there is a referral for a placement and details of child are sent to us we share this information with proposed foster carers.''

Anyone wishing to be a foster carer is given training and there are monthly support groups and group activities.

For more information go to www.communityfostercare.co.uk