As part of a Find a Family campaign in Leicester, Nicola Dowling meets two children in care.

Latest statistics show Leicester City Council is playing stand-in mum and dad to 544 children. Around a third need adoptive homes, while the rest are cared for by foster parents while attempts are made to sort out problems with the family. The aim of this campaign is to recruit 40 more sets of foster parents and permanent homes for 40 children in need of adoption living in the city.

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In the week following the launch of the campaign, 30 people contacted the fostering and adoption team - 50 per cent more than usual - and scores more have asked for information.

Matt, 14, is one child under the wing of the local authority.

Asked what he wants out of life, he says: "I want to live a happy life with my mum and when I am old enough, live on my own."

Matt is not able to live with his mother because of problems at home. So for the last seven years he has been spending time in the care of the social services, in homes and with foster parents.

He gets on well with the staff at his current home, but does not like its institutional feel.

"There are all sorts of kids living here, so you expect locks on some of the doors, but they are on all the doors," he says.

Matt - Just wishing for 'a happy life'

"You can't just go into the kitchen and get yourself a drink, you even have to ask to get a bath towel because the room where they are kept is locked.

"It isn't like that at a foster home, but I have had to move a lot in foster care.

"Sometimes you feel like an outcast when you go to a new foster place, it winds me up having to move and get to know new people all the time."

Matt is a keen chess player and enters competitions whenever he can. He dreams of becoming a social worker himself so he too can help young people.

Most 12-year-olds battle with the self-esteem and sense of identity - it's all part of growing up.

But for Heather, a childhood of neglect and sexual abuse means she will need more help and support than most.

Not only is she battling with psychological scars caused by the abuse, but feelings of loss at being separated from her family.

She is currently living with a short-term foster carer but really needs a foster home where she can live long term.

Her social worker says Heather would benefit from being the only or youngest child in a household. Prospective parents will have to work with therapists who are helping Heather cope with her ordeal.

If you think you could offer a long-term foster home to someone like Matt or Heather - or are interested in adoption - call 0116 299 5800.

Story and picture courtesy of the Leicester Mercury