A KIRKLEES Council campaign, which dramatically increased the number of inquiries from people interested in becoming foster carers, has won a national award.
The `Space in your life, space in your home' campaign led to over five times as many inquiries as usual.
Now the council has won the Best Campaign award at the Chartered Institute of Public Relations Local Government Group conference in Belfast.
Clr Jim Dodds, the Kirklees Cabinet member for children's services, said: "There has been an increase in the number of children in care.
"This award reflects the service's commitment to ensuring that we continue to do the best we can to recruit the required numbers of high-quality foster carers to look after the most vulnerable people in our society.
"This innovative campaign generated a significant amount of interest in the need for foster carers for local children.
"There is now a drive to recruit carers for children aged five and over and people willing to care for brothers and sisters together.
"I would urge people to find out more about fostering."
As a result of the campaign the council received over 200 inquiries in a six-month period.
The campaign was launched in November last year and featured posters of a coat-rack with an empty peg.
The posters were displayed on buses, in cinemas and in newspapers and magazines.
The message was: "Can you give a child a secure and caring home? Local children urgently need carers for long and short-term care.
"In return we will give you all the training and support you need, plus a payment."
With the same campaign Kirklees was one of five finalists in the institute's Excellence Awards competition.
