A NEW campaign is to be launched to search for more foster families in North Yorkshire.

There is an “urgent need” for more families to come forward, particularly to take on brothers and sisters under the same roof and to care for teenagers and youngsters with special needs, says North Yorkshire County Council.

The authority said it had an “impressive” record of placing children and young people in care. But more foster carers must be found, as the alternative was to place children with families outside the region, leaving them isolated from family and friends and costing taxpayers more.

The long service of two families who have both been involved in fostering for more than four decades was recently celebrated by the council.

Retired Methodist minister Chris Stark, 76, fostered children with his wife Katie – who died last year – for 44 years.

Chris, who has now retired from fostering, said: “We saw our task as caring on behalf of parents and it was always rewarding – although challenging, it has always been a privilege.”

Janice and Peter Disley, both 70 and from Scarborough, still work as foster carers, often fostering babies and helping them move on to adoption or rehabilitation with their own family.

Janice, who has also trained new carers, said: “Helping these children to have another chance of a good start in life is the most satisfying work you can imagine.”

About 360 children are in North Yorkshire foster homes but another 50 carers are needed to meet demand.

Pete Dwyer, the council’s corporate director for children’s services, said: “They perform vital work in turning lives around, and while we do not underestimate the challenges, we know the rewards are very great indeed.”

The national fostering campaign Foster Care Fortnight runs from May 13 to 26. More information about local events and information evenings can be found at northyorks.gov.uk/fostering, on the North Yorkshire campaign’s Facebook page, or by phoning Freephone 0800 054 6989.