FOSTER families are being urgently sought for hundreds of vulnerable children in Northern Ireland as part of a major campaign.
There are particular shortages in finding placements for children over the age of 12.
The Health and Social Care regional Adoption and Fostering Service will hold a series of awareness and recruitment days next Monday.
There are currently more than 2,000 children in foster care in the north.
Finding long-term homes for teenagers continues to be an issue.
Foster carers may be married, single or have a partner, own or rent their home, work or claim benefits, and may or may not have children of their own.
There is no upper age limit as to who can foster.
Una Carragher, who manages the service said fostering makes a "real difference" to the life of a child or young person.
"This February we are appealing to the public to find out more about fostering for their local health trust…however, lots of people rule themselves out of becoming a carer on myths and misbeliefs.
"We appealing to ordinary people with an interest to find out more about fostering."
You can find out more from Adoption and Fostering Service by calling 0800 0720 137 or by visiting www.adoptionandfostering.hscni.net.
Awareness events will take place this Monday, February 29 in Belfast at the Kennedy Centre and Connswater shopping centre between 10am and 1pm; Sainbury’s in Ballymena between 2pm and 4.30pm; Tescos in Newtownards between noon and 2pm; Foyleside shopping centre in Derry between 9am and 5pm and Newry library between 10.30am and 12.30pm.
