A CAMPAIGN has been launched to recruit more foster carers in Bury.

Bury currently has more than 40 children and young people living in independent foster placements outside elsewhere due to a shortage of carers living in the borough.

That, experts say, disadvantages children and young people as they are living away from school, friends and family.

Bury Council is today helping launch the You Can Foster campaign aimed at giving people a better understanding of what it takes to become a foster carer and how it can benefit them.

You Can Foster spokesman Charlotte Ramsden, who is a strategic director of children and adults services at Salford Council, said: “In the UK as a whole and even just the North West, we have thousands of children who need foster care and we need more carers to provide the support and stable homes that these young people need to really thrive.

“People have a lot of preconceived ideas about why they might be ruled out as foster carers but the only thing that matters is the support you can offer the child.

“Whether you are older, single or never had children, you can foster.

"Foster carers don’t need superpowers, they just need to be able to provide a solid and reliable foundation for children and young people to find theirs.”

She added: “If you are interested in fostering then Bury Council is the best place to find out more.

"More people turn to their local authorities than any other fostering provider.

“Foster carers across the North West are benefiting from the support and training they provide.”

Visit youcanfoster.org for more information.