Swansea's social services department has made an urgent request for more foster parents.

As Foster Care Fortnight begins, the city's social services are responding to a national charity's warning that there is an urgent need for new foster parents across Wales.

Fostering Network based its findings on a survey of 15 local authorities, which included Swansea, and estimated that up to 700 new parents were needed.

Gerri McAndrew, of Fostering Network, said: ''These new figures show that we still have a desperate need for more carers.
''It is not just a question of numbers - the wider the pool of carers available, the more likely a good match can be found.''

A spokesman for Swansea's social services said: ''In Swansea around 250 children are looked after at any given time.
''Foster care offers a family environment and allows children who have had difficult experiences to live as normal a life as possible in their home communities.
''It has proved difficult in recent years to recruit the numbers and range of foster carers that we would like to meet the needs of the children.''

As a result, Swansea social services have launched their own recruitment drive and improved the level of allowances paid.

All carers are supported by a team of dedicated social workers who provide preparation and ongoing training and support.

Anyone who is interested in fostering a child can telephone 01792 522900 or email family.placement@ swansea.gov.uk