Urgent appeal issued for foster carers to come forward in Blackpool

These include youngsters on remand, children with disabilities and those who have been living in children's homes.

Blackpool Council has joined forces with Blackburn with Darwen Council to launch the appeal.

Specialist fostering involves caring for children and young people with complex emotional and physical needs.

Coun Jim Hobson, Blackpool Council cabinet member for children’s social care, said: “One of the main challenges we’re facing right now is finding foster carers who have the skills to specialise in fostering children with complex needs.

"We would also love to hear from anyone who has previously fostered with the council, foster carers taking a break from fostering and retired foster carers. Please get in touch if you feel like you could make a difference.”

Specialist foster care includes:

Parent and child fostering (sometimes known as mother and baby fostering). Foster carers provide a safe place for a new parent to take their first steps, helping them to adjust and develop the skills they need to care for their baby.Fostering disabled children. This may involve taking care of a child or young person with a range of medical conditions including developmental disabilities such as autism, physical disabilities which limit a child’s mobility, and learning or sensory disabilities.Step down fostering. A step down foster carer will help a child or young person adjust to moving from a residential children’s home to living in a stable family environment.Remand fostering. This type of fostering provides young people who are remanded by the courts with a remand foster carer while they await court proceedings.

Barbara Corrie-McDonald, who joined Blackpool Council as a foster carer last November after eight years with an agency, said: "There are currently 10 of us in the house at this moment and this includes a group of five siblings.

"Two of the children have been with us since we started fostering eight and a half years ago.

“One of the most rewarding parts of being a foster carer is seeing what the children can achieve when they are given the opportunity.

To find out more visit www.blackpoolfostering.com/specialistfostering or call 01254 420222.