Kirklees Council is celebrating Foster Care Fortnight by encouraging people from across the district to come forward and consider fostering.

This year’s theme is #whywecare and the council is putting out special messages recorded by foster carers and the people who work to support them.

Foster Care Fortnight is an annual event to thank the fostering community for their amazing work and to highlight the ways that caring for children can transform young lives.

The council always need more people to foster children and young people in Kirklees. You can email fostering@kirklees.gov.uk or call 0800 389 0086 to have a friendly chat with the team. More details can be found at www.kirklees.gov.uk/fostering

Mel Meggs, strategic director for children’s services, said: “Fostering is immensely rewarding. Carers often say it’s the best thing they’ve ever done.

“Entering the care system can be an emotional and confusing time for children who, through no fault of their own, find themselves uprooted from everything they know. They need the stability that only a loving foster family can provide, giving them the best start in life and helping them to fulfil their potential.

“Foster carers are needed for children of all ages. There are different schemes to suit different circumstances and we’re looking for people who can offer short or long-term care, part-time care or who are able to support our care leavers to achieve independence.

“What’s right for one child might not be right for another, so we are urging people from all walks of life to contact us and find out more. Becoming a foster carer is an incredible opportunity to change a young person’s life for ever.”