There's a chronic shortage of people willing to take in, care for and raise some of society’s most vulnerable children.

The Fostering Network charity estimates that a further 9,000 foster families across the UK are needed this year alone.

In Kirklees there are 185 fostering households and 418 looked-after children. It is hoped that a further 40 fosterers can be found to meet increasing demand over the next 12 months.

Many of the children requiring care have been abused, neglected or damaged in some way. The current economic downturn appears to have worsened the plight and numbers of such children. They may have a parent who is mentally or physically ill, has become addicted to drugs or alcohol, or died. Some require only short-term fostering before being returned to their birth families, others need care until they reach adulthood.

Foster carers themselves come from every background. It is a myth that fosterers need to have had children of their own. Foster carers can be any age and single or in a partnership. Same sex couples are just as eligible to foster as those who are married.

Among those new to fostering in Kirklees are Alison Shaw and her partner David Lockwood, who live in the Colne Valley. They became foster carers in February last year and say they have no regrets.

“I absolutely love it,” said Alison, who has worked in the past with disabled adults and in childminding. The caring streak is strong in her family – her two sisters are both nurses and her mum worked in home care.

“I love seeing the children happy and smiling and making a difference to their lives,” she added.

Alison, who has become an active member of the Kirklees Fostering Network, fosters young children – carers can specify which age group they will take.

“I wanted to take children younger than my own,” she explained. Alison and David, who have been together for 21 years, have a son and two daughters, Ben, 19; Abigail, 14; and Ely, 13.

So far the family has fostered a newborn baby boy, who went on to be adopted at nine-months-old, and is currently caring for two siblings, a three-year-old girl and her four-year-old brother. Alison has also provided short term/respite care for two children.

“The girls love babies and young children,” she said, “so it’s been great for them. My younger daughter says she wants to be a nurse when she grows up.

“Taking foster children is a whole family decision. We all sat down and discussed it because it does affect everyone. I would always advise a fosterer to take on foster children who are younger than their own.”

The only down-side to fostering that she has encountered so far was the moment when her first foster child was handed over to his adoptive parents.

“It was distressing letting him go,” says Alison, “because he was loved by all of us.

“But he now has a mum and dad and the outcome is happy. We were invited to his first birthday party and I have been invited to the christening – we see him weekly and his mum sends me pictures of him.”

Contact with adoptive parents is a bonus for Alison and her family – not all adopters allow this – and it has made the parting easier.

The aim of foster care is to give youngsters the experience of living in a stable, loving home. The two children Alison now cares for arrived with some behavioural issues. “They had known no boundaries,” said Alison, “we had to be firm but fair with them and now they respond well and have settled down.”

Alison’s own children have busy lives - the girls are dancers and Ben is a stock car racer. They own rabbits, chickens, a pony and a dog. At weekends the entire family, including the foster children, attend competitions and races. “They are included in everything,” said Alison. “I want to give them a good start in life.”

The benefits of fostering can be a two-way street. Since becoming a foster carer Alison says she is a much more confident person. She has even helped to organise new coffee morning groups for other foster carers; attends monthly meetings of the KFN and takes part in fund-raising efforts. The organisation pays for childrens’ Christmas parties and day trips.

“I used to be unbelievably shy,” said Alison, “but now I will sort anything out.”

All foster carers receive appropriate on-going training and are paid an allowance for the work they do. However, the role is not open to anyone who has ever been convicted of a sexual offence or a violent act towards a child.

Famous names who were in foster care include the actor Neil Morrissey, actress Kathy Burke, footballer Mario Balotelli and celebrity cook Lorraine Pascale.

Singer Gareth Gates, whose parents were foster carers, is backing Fostering Fortnight and said: “I am proud to be from a fostering family. My parents put themselves in the frame to care for some of the UK’s most vulnerable children. They offered a home, security, stability and love to children because they wanted to make a difference to their lives.”

Anyone interested in fostering can find out more at www.couldyoufoster.org.uk or from Kirklees Council’s family placement unit.

Foster carers are holding an open afternoon for prospective and current foster carers on May 25 in St Patrick’s Catholic Church, Huddersfield, from noon until 4pm.

Kirklees Council launched an urgent adoption appeal at the end of January for the 90 children in its care at the time. The numbers now awaiting adoption have fallen to 50 – the lowest for several years.

Last year was a record in terms of the number of matches and approvals for adoption – 34 new adopters and 47 children were placed with families.

However, the push to find parents for children awaiting adoption and fostering continues.

For more information check out: www.kirklees.gov.uk/fostering

Fostering – 0800 389 0086.

www.kirklees.gov.uk/adoption . Adoption – 0800 028 3001.

Children in Kirklees awaiting adoption

LIAM AND NATALIE:

Despite suffering so much upheaval during their short lives, siblings Liam, aged three, and his two year-old sister, Natalie, have come along in leaps and bounds since they were placed into care. Liam and Natalie had endured neglect and inconsistent parenting and were often witness to domestic abuse. Understandably, this has had an impact on both children, particularly on Liam’s speech and language development and he is often wary of new people. Although Natalie is meeting all of her expected milestones, she often looks to her older brother for reassurance and both children can be protective of each other. Despite this, they are gradually overcoming these issues with the help of their foster carers and have made excellent progress. Both children enjoy an affectionate relationship with their carers but now need a permanent, loving home, in which they can have the stability they so desperately need.

JOSEPH:

Three year old Joseph is a very confident and outgoing little boy, particularly around people he knows. Joseph plays well with the other children at his local nursery and the staff there are very fond of him. He is affectionate towards his carers and although he can be stubborn at times, he responds well to firm, consistent boundaries and routines. Amongst his many hobbies, he enjoys feeding the ducks and cleaning out the rabbit hutch but most of all he enjoys his bath and bedtime routine and having his favourite stories read to him. Until he came into foster care at eight months old, Joseph suffered from neglect and was witness to domestic violence. There were also concerns that his needs were not being prioritised. He has however managed to overcome many of these issues thanks to the efforts of his foster carers and has achieved excellent progress in all aspects of his emotional, social and developmental skills.

ZAIN:

Zain is a beautiful one-year old boy with gorgeous big brown eyes and curly hair, who never misses an opportunity to interact with people he is familiar with. He is particularly keen to explore his environment and likes to walk independently. He also likes to play with musical and brightly coloured toys, including objects that are shiny, such as metal zips, glitter and sequins. Zain has been with his current foster family since coming into care at four months old and has formed a strong attachment with them. He was placed into care due to concerns relating to domestic violence and his needs not being recognised or prioritised. Despite this, Zain is meeting all of his developmental milestones. What he needs most is to be part of a loving family who can not only encourage him to understand his Islamic identity, but who can also provide the right environment in which he can continue the excellent progress he has already made.

SOPHIE AND AIDEN:

Could you be that special family who can provide siblings Sophie, aged four and her three year-old brother Aiden, the care and stability they are looking for? After suffering from neglect, both children were placed into the care system just over a year ago and have made good progress since. But they are now in need of a forever family who can adopt them both together so that they can continue to thrive and achieve all of their milestones. Sophie’s hobbies include gymnastics and going to the park. She has a gentle manner and is a healthy child, who eats well. Likewise her little brother Aiden has no health concerns and has an easygoing personality. Amongst his many hobbies, he likes to dress up as a pirate and enjoys playing football.