SCHOOLGIRLS prostituting themselves on the streets of York, children stuck in care desperate for a family and the council running up a massive bill trying to help them. On the face of it, this seems a hopeless story of our times.

But that is emphatically not the case. If our community rallies round, these children can be given hope.

The most disturbed youngsters need the very best professional support. If York cannot provide that, it is right that the council buys in expertise from elsewhere. We have a duty to try to heal the hurt and rebuild the esteem of these damaged young people.

Mercifully, the number of children with severe emotional difficulties is small. Beyond them, however, are dozens of youngsters who have been dealt a grim hand in life.

Many of these children have only known abuse at home and institutionalised affection. What would help them most is not specialist counselling. These children need a mum and dad. They need a family. They need love.

A shortage of foster carers leaves some of the 148 children in York council care being looked after by the private sector. This costs the council nearly double what it would to place them with a local foster family.

The cost to the child is infinitely higher. Their self-worth can only be eroded by the knowledge that no one but a fostering company is prepared to take them in.

How much better for them to be welcomed by York foster parents motivated by the desire to give these unlucky children the love and stability they crave.

Fostering takes strength, time, commitment and patience. It is also a hugely enriching experience.

For the sake of York's forgotten children, please take a moment to consider whether you could become a foster mum or dad.

Updated: 10:59 Friday, November 14, 2003