THE current campaign to find foster parents for teenagers wanting new homes in York has prompted a strong response.

Howard Lovelady, group manager for City of York Council's children's services team, said: "We have had as many calls in one week as we have had in the past five months. It has been a wonderful response and we are delighted." The campaign, part of National Foster Care fortnight, was launched because of the difficulty in finding foster places for children between 11 and 16 years of age.

At present there are about 16 children in that age group who need care in foster homes.

Mr Lovelady, said: "Most just need a stable environment to keep them out of trouble and fulfil their promise at school."

Under the council's strategy to recruit more foster carers, volunteers will receive £500 a week for looking after teenagers with particular difficulties or severely disabled young people.

For further information, contact the council's foster caring team on 01904 555333 or 613161.

Updated: 09:36 Thursday, June 05, 2003