A NEW £1.2m fostering hub - backed by authorities in Blackburn with Darwen and Lancashire - has been launched to recruit urgently needed carers.

Council chiefs in Blackburn with Darwen, Lancashire, Blackpool, Cumberland and Westmoreland and Furness successfully secured the cash from government last year for the hub.

Now 'Foster with us' will work 'as a first point of contact for those interested in fostering to help them make an informed choice about how fostering could work for them'.

Experienced fostering advisors will be available seven days a week to support applications.

And there will be a buddy scheme which provides regular check-ins with existing foster carers and young people.

Plans are also in place to extend recruitment campaigns and extend the support offer to current foster carers.

Just in the north west alone 760 more foster carers are required to meet the demand of record numbers of children entering the care system.

Currently across all five authorities there are 152 under-18s waiting for homes, including 19 sibling groups.

A spokesman said: "Children and young people need foster care for a wide range of reasons.

"They may have experienced family problems, abuse or neglect. For others, it might be their parents have a short-term illness, mental health issues, learning difficulties or problems with drug or alcohol misuse

" Having a diverse pool of foster carers, from different backgrounds, increases the likelihood of finding suitable homes that can meet these individual needs of our children."

Cllr Julie Gunn, Blackburn with Darwen's executive member for children and young people, added: "By providing this new service, we aim to ensure foster parents feel empowered and equipped to fulfil their crucial role. Our foster carers do a wonderful job and make a profound difference to children’s lives each and every day and, for that I’m forever grateful."

Cllr Cosima Towneley, Lancashire's cabinet member for children and families, said: "Recruiting new foster carers, and ensuring they have the right level of support, is hugely important and we are lucky in Lancashire to have such a comprehensive programme of training and practical encouragement within the council and in the fostering community itself.

"I would encourage anyone thinking about fostering to get in touch with staff at the hub."

To find out more go online to fosterwithus.org.uk or call 0300 019 0200.