A FOSTER care agency in Stonehouse is calling out for caring individuals to consider a career in fostering in 2020, by launching an emotional video.

The video, which can be viewed below, features siblings sadly watching the New Year celebrations, which is a happy time for most, but the sisters in the video will be two of the estimated 30,000+ children who will come into care over the next year, needing a foster family.

Fosterplus, who provide fostering services across Stonehouse, has launched the social media and video campaign to highlight the urgent need for foster families across the country.

Angela Turland, registered manager for Fosterplus, said: “The Christmas period can be a really emotional and unsettling time of year for young individuals in care, which is why we are launching this video.

“The New Year is a perfect opportunity for individuals and families to reflect on their life and potentially provide a new start for so many of these children. The campaign pulls at the heartstrings, but this is reality for so many children in need.”

According to Ofsted, on March 31 2019, agencies reported 54,870 children and young people were in a fostering placement, a 3% increase from the previous year.

over 15,000 fostering places were also reported as ‘not available'.

Angela said: "The majority of children and young people looked after being due to abuse or neglect, the need for loving and secure homes has never been higher."

Fosterplus currently take care of children across Stonehouse but are hoping to recruit more foster carers during 2020.

If you would like to find out about fostering with Fosterplus, call 0800 369 8512 or visit https://bit.ly/2tubPqR

The video is below: