In the UK a child goes into care every 22 minutes, and last year in North Yorkshire 307 children needed to be looked after by foster carers.

The Council is supporting foster care fortnight and promoting the local need for foster carers during the event.

Fostering is a way of providing a safe and caring temporary home for children of all ages who for whatever reason can't live with their own families. Many children who need foster carers have been neglected or abused and some have physical or learning disabilities. Others have brothers or sisters who they don't want to be separated from, but what they all have in common is the need to feel safe, secure and happy.

Fostering North Yorkshire urgently need an additional 60 foster carers to look after local children, particularly in areas with an acute shortage of carers including Harrogate, Northallerton, Scarborough and Selby.

Foster carer Jacqui Agar says "Fostering is the most rewarding thing I have ever done in my life besides bringing up my own son. When I see them again and how well they are doing, it's lovely to see how they have grown and settled and to know that I've been a part of that."

To support foster carers the County Council offers ongoing help, advice and training, as well as an allowance ranging from £134.51 to £313.75 a week to cover the cost of looking after a child.

Council staff who want to know more about being a foster carer can go to www.northyorks.gov.uk/fostering or book a place on an information evening by calling 0800 054 6989.