The Bishop of Rochester is calling for more people to consider fostering and adoption in a bid to find loving homes for the most vulnerable children across the county.

The Right Reverend James Langstaff and the Diocese of Rochester has joined forces with charities Home for Good and Diagrama Foundation to find more foster carers and adopters to care for children who wait the longest to be placed with families.

The first information evening was held at St Justus Church in Rochester, later this evening.

A series of events will be held throughout a year-long campaign which will span the Diocese of Rochester.

Home for Good and The Diagrama Foundation both focus on finding families for children who are deemed harder to place.

There are currently 40 such children awaiting a home in Kent and Medway.

Those considered harder to place are five years of age or older, are part of a sibling group, are from black and minority ethnic groups, or have additional needs.

Bishop James said: “Children in care are some of the most vulnerable in our society in need of safe and secure homes. It is only right that as a church we do all we can to ensure that there are people ready and willing to open their homes to these children.”

Nathan Ward, from the Diagrama Foundation, and curate of Holy Trinity South parish, Chatham, added: “Every week we receive dozens of referrals for children in desperate need of a home in which they can feel safe and cared for. Sadly, we are unable to respond to many of these due to the shortage of foster carers and adopters.”

Home for Good founder Krish Kandiah said: “If just one household from every church were to step forward to foster or adopt a child who is considered harder to place, then no child would have to wait for a family willing and able to care for them.”

BLOB: Call Billy-Jo O’Leary on 07749555537 or email Billyjo.oleary@homeforgood.org.uk to find out more.