The number of kids in the care of Congleton's largest form of local government has increased during the pandemic to record highs.

The amount of youngsters in Cheshire East Council's care has increased by 38.2% since 2013.

So Cheshire East Council have launched a heart-warming winter campaign to help recruit more much needed foster carers.

With more than 520 children and young people currently in the care of the local authority, the council is reaching out to residents asking if they will consider becoming Cheshire East Council foster carers.

The latest figure is 35 more than 2019's figure of 485 children in council care.

2016 saw just 386 in council care, 134 less than 2021.

Further back, 2013 had even less with 376 children across Cheshire East's 11 towns in Council care. 144 less than 2021.

There was 430 in 2010, the first full calendar year of Cheshire East Council's existence.

This means 2021 is a record high for the number of kids and young people in council case.

It is not known how many of the 520 are Congleton-based, but it doesn't matter as the child can be from anywhere across our borough, if you can foster them.

Councillor Kathryn Flavell, Cheshire East's lead member for children and families, said: "Children and young people spend time with foster families for different reasons, and many children who need fostering have sadly been through some very traumatic experiences.

"We want the very best for all of our cared for children and young people. Along with our one hundred and twenty fantastic foster carer households who give them so much support, we really do wish for them the world.

"If you have the time, patience and understanding to safely care for a child or young person and can work alongside other people in the child's life, then please do take the next step and find out more.

"Our fostering service are waiting to hear from you and will happily answer any questions you might have."

Being in foster care is more beneficial to the child than being in the council's care, as it gives them a stronger feeling of family and belonging to a home.

You can view the fostering short film here, or at the top of this article.

Foster care is temporary custody or guardianship for children whose parents are unable to look after their offspring.

Benefits of foster care include allowances paid to foster parents for the child, along with emotional rewards.

Cheshire East Council welcomes enquiries and applications from people from all walks of life irrespective of marital status, sexuality, religion, ethnic background, whether you have your own children or not, or if you own or rent your home as long as you have a stable tenancy.

For more information about becoming a foster carer in Cheshire East, visit the council's fostering website or telephone 0300 123 3223.

Central government data revealed at 31 March 2021, there were 45,370 fostering households and 76,640 foster carers in England.

This is a 2% and 4% increase since 2014 to 2015, respectively. However, over the period to March 2020, the number of children in foster care grew by around 11%. (Source: GOV.UK)

Congleton Nub News has submitted a Freedom of Information request about the number of foster parents and children in Congleton.

The clip is just a minute long, so even if you don't have room to foster a child in Congleton, please consider sharing this article to someone that could.

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[U[Please note: The council care data for 2019, 2016, 2013 and 2010 were dated March 31st of their respective years.[.U]