SIR – Barnardo’s has launched its sixth annual Fostering & Adoption Week this week The UK’s leading children’s charity is campaigning on the urgent need for more foster carers across the UK, in particular the recruitment target of 750 more carers across Yorkshire.

The numbers of children in care have risen for the seventh year in a row with around 90,000 in care across the UK. Finding them loving and secure homes must be an absolute priority.

Every child has the right to a stable and happy childhood; without a suitable foster family these children miss out on the care and stability they need.

Barnardo’s strives to recruit foster carers for the children who are often deemed ‘harder to place’ due to their age, being part of a sibling group, their ethnicity or a disability.

Being a foster carer is a life-giving profession offering the opportunity to create positive memories and foundations for the most vulnerable children.

Barnardo’s wants to hear from any of your readers who are able to open their home and their heart to a child or children in need and who can work in partnership with us to help make sure their childhoods remain precious.

You can contact Barnardo’s on 08000 277280, or visit barnardos.org.uk/fostering.

Steve Oversby, Director, Barnardo’s in Yorkshire