POTENTIAL parents in Oxfordshire have been urged to consider caring ahead of this year’s Foster Care Fortnight.

Oxfordshire County Council, which co-ordinates fostering services locally, has invited people to come and meet its team on Wednesday, May 10.

This year’s Foster Care Fortnight, run by the Fostering Network, will run from May 8 to 21.

County council fostering recruitment officer Maria White said: “The pressure to recruit new foster carers is ongoing.

“Nationally, fostering services have seen a rise in the number of children and young people needing foster care.

“In Oxfordshire we have seen the number of looked-after children increase to over 650: we need to recruit more foster carers to keep up with the continuous demands and we need your help.”

She went on: “There are children from many different backgrounds needing to be fostered, what is important is that you can meet the needs of the child. The children vary in age from babies to teenagers and may stay with you for a few days or even years. Foster carers give them safe and caring home during this time.”

More than half of children in foster care in Oxfordshire are aged 10 and over making teenage placements a priority.

The county foster team will be meeting visitors at Nash Court, 4440 John Smith Drive, Oxford Business Park, Cowley, from 6.30pm to 8pm on Wednesday, May 10.

For more information call 0800 783 5724.