Warning over foster care shortage

More than 4,000 new foster carers are needed in England, the charity says

Foster children are being denied stability in their home lives due to a shortage in carers across England, a charity has warned.

Fostering Network said about 4,230 new foster carers had to be recruited during the next year to stop children being shunted from home to home.

The shortage also meant youngsters were being placed a long distance from their parents' home and siblings split up.

More than 42,000 children in England live with a foster family.

The figures, collated by the charity from local authorities, were released to coincide with Fostering Network's annual awareness campaign, Foster Care Fortnight, which began on Monday.

It said the wider pool of carers available, the better a match which could be found for each child.

Chief executive Robert Tapsfield said: "Without these much needed new foster carers, too many fostered children will continue to be denied stability in their home and school life, which is key to success later on."