A NEW study has found 25 per cent of people in Yorkshire are unaware single people can foster.

The report was commissioned by Five Rivers Child Care who warned of increased demand for children and young people entering the care system.

Now the local fostering organisation is calling on single people in Yorkshire and the Humber to consider the role they could play in changing young people's lives.

The UK is currently in need of more than 8,500 foster homes for children and young people.

In the Yorkshire and the Humber region alone another 1,040 foster carers are needed.

The social enterprise is now encouraging single people to come forward and consider caring for vulnerable children in need of a safe place to call home.

Martin Leitch, head of fostering operations at Five Rivers Child Care, said: “We’re encouraging single people to consider fostering. Someone’s marital or relationship status, gender, sexuality, religion or ethnicity does not stop them providing excellent care to a child in need.

“It’s also extremely important to us that we have foster carers from different backgrounds and communities to reflect the diversity of the children in the care system."

You can contact Five Rivers Child Care on 01302 513 892 email carer.enquiries@five-rivers.org

Mr Leitch added: "Fostering comes in many forms and can be tailored towards the needs and lifestyle of the foster parent, or parents, and those in their care.

"Foster carers can work flexibly as respite or short-term foster carers, or they can have foster children and young people living with them long-term, meaning they would remain in care until they feel ready to live independently.

"If you’re a kind, compassionate individual and would like to get some more information and discuss the different types of fostering, please do get in touch. You will not be committed to taking on a placement at any stage of the process.

"To be considered, you must be 21 years of age and have the key qualities needed to look after children in care. This includes single people, co-habiting couples, same sex couples and people living in rented accommodation, but there must be a spare room for each foster child."