A BROMSGROVE fostering agency is calling for caring individuals to consider joining a career with them after launching an emotional video.

For most children, Christmas lists will consist of toys, games and the latest gadgets. But for many children in care, they will simply be looking for a secure and loving home.

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

Orange Grove fostercare, who provide fostering services in the Three Counties region, has launched the social media and video campaign to highlight the urgent need for foster families across the country.

Sue Purtill, Registered Manager for Orange Grove, commented: “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 this year, agencies reported 54,870 children and young people were in a fostering placement, a three per cent increase from the previous year.

Over 15,000 fostering places were reported as ‘not available’.

With 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.

Orange Grove fostercare currently take care of children across the Three Counties region but are hoping to recruit more foster carers during 2020.