Bradford Council is expected to go out to tender for five new children's homes to meet the rising demand for places across the district.

Social Services chiefs want to spend £2.7 million earmarked in the Council's budget for a package which could also include building extensions on the homes of foster parents.

It is believed parents with drug problems are the main cause of the growing number of children being placed in care in Bradford.

The proposals are for two new children's homes and replacement of three others. The existing homes may be bulldozed or adaptations may take place.

The Council has 333 children placed with foster parents, 103 in homes both inside and outside the district, and 155 being looked after by families and friends.

There are 41 children awaiting adoption and 96 are with their parents but carefully supervised.

The total has increased from 697 last year to 745.

The proposed package would replace 16 beds, but create 19.

Social Services chiefs have recommended that £200,000 should be set aside for extensions at the homes of foster parents who may want to take more children.

Acting director of social services Alison O'Sullivan will tell the committee the number of children in care could rise by 90 over the next three years.

She said the proposed new homes would have a family environment and be designed in line with national standards. They would be built next year if they are included in the budget.

The Council's executive member for health and housing Councillor Kris Hopkins said: "At the moment we sometimes have to look outside Bradford for somewhere for `looked after' children to live and be cared for. This can break the community and family ties that these children have which makes it harder to help them to get back on track."

The committee will consider radical plans for improving services to children in need. Social Services provides help for 480 families but the report to the committee outlines plans to join other projects that give support to children's families like Sure Start, the Children's Fund, Neighbourhood Renewal, Drugs and Alcohol Action Team, and the Early Years and Child Care Partnership.