COUPLES and families in Oxfordshire have been urged to come forward as adoptive parents for a 'lively and affectionate' boy who has been in foster care since he was a baby.

Adoption charity PACT has produced a short film to help its search for a family for Robert, a five-year-old boy on the autistic spectrum, who has had five different carers during his life.

The charity, which covers Oxfordshire, said it highlighted a wider problem of 'hard to place' children, often older children or those with complex needs.

PACT’s adoption team manager, Louise Hartley, said: "Robert is desperate for his own forever family, and the security and stability that adoptive parents could offer.

"He has so much to offer a family – he is a friendly, outgoing, active and lively five-year-old boy, who is never happier than when he’s outside riding his scooter or playing in the park.

"Robert is a particularly rewarding child to care for as he is so affectionate and much prefers other people’s company to being on his own. He also has a great sense of humour and a really infectious laugh."

The charity said Robert, whose name has been changed to protect his identity, was of dual heritage - white UK and black Caribbean.

He is on the autistic spectrum and has made excellent progress after receiving support for his delayed speech and is enjoying school.

The film makes a touching appeal from Robert, who says he enjoys cuddles and animals, for a loving family to come forward and look after him in the long term.

Ms Hartley said: "We very much believe there is a family out there for Robert and for many more children just like him in Oxfordshire and across the south.

"We are specifically looking for adoptive parents for older children and those with more complex needs, who are often hard to place."

Oxfordshire County Council currently has an appeal out online for more adopters to come forward but the county has performed well with children in recent years.

Between 2012 and 2014, 73 per cent of Oxfordshire children waited less than 16 months between entering care and moving in with their adoptive family.

This was the third-highest figure out of 149 local authorities in England.

It was also sixth-best for the average time taken between a child entering care and moving in with its adoptive family.

PACT hoped the county would be home to the future parents of Robert and many more children looking for a permanent home.

Its chief executive Jan Fishwick said: "We are passionate about finding the very best families for children who have been waiting the longest to be adopted.

"Robert has had a particularly unsettled start and we are determined to find him the forever home he desperately wants and deserves."

If you can help email louise.hartley@pactcharity.org or call 07587 552399