Wanted: New Mum and Dad

This script contains information for anyone considering becoming a foster carer or adoption parent. There's also information for young people who may be experiencing problems while being in care.

Fostering is a unique way of making a positive difference to the life of a child or young person. It is both challenging and rewarding, and tens of thousands of foster carers across the UK make that difference every day.

There are two types of fostering services in the UK and you can apply to either to become a foster carer. They are, the local authorities or Health and Social Services Trusts and the independent fostering providers or IFP's. Local authorities are responsible for finding homes for children and young people in their care. They will have their own pool of foster carers, but may also pay IFP's to provide foster carers for a child.

To find the contact details for your local authority as well as the independent fostering providers for your region, go to the Fostering Network website at www.thefostering.net.

If you're considering becoming a foster carer you can call the Fostering Network on 0207 620 6400 (Mondays to Fridays 9am-5pm) or e-mail info@fostering.net.

If you're already a foster carer in need of support call the free confidential adviceline on 0800 040 7675 (Mondays to Fridays 9am-5pm) or e-mail fosterline@fostering.net.

To find information about registered independent fostering agencies please contact the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) the independent inspectorate for all social care services. Their public enquiry phone number is 0191 233 3556 (Mondays to Fridays 8.30am-5.30pm). Alternatively, you can find a care service on the CSCI website at www.csci.org.uk.

The British Association for Adoption and Fostering (BAAF) have put together a pack of information for anyone considering adoption. You can find out more by visiting the special National Adoption Week website at www.nationaladoptionweek.org.uk or call the dedicated phone number 08450 560 120 and leave your name and address to be sent a pack. Find out more about the work of the BAAF at www.baaf.org.uk.

There are currently about four thousand children waiting to be placed in adoptive families. The Adoption Register for England and Wales contains the details of both children awaiting adoption and approved adoptive families. It uses a specialist database and the skills of a specially trained team to find potentially suitable families for children across England and Wales. Find out more at www.adoptionregister.org.uk or call 0870 750 2173 (Mondays to Fridays 9am-5pm).

Parentline Plus offers help and support to anyone in a parenting role via their free confidential helpline 0808 800 22 22 (24 hours a day). They also provide an e-mail helpline and textphone for the times when it's easier to write than talk. Just e-mail parentsupport@parentlineplus.org.uk or call 0800 783 6783. You can also find more information on the website at www.parentlineplus.org.uk.

A National Voice (ANV) is the organisation run for and by care experienced young people. If you're concerned about the care you're experiencing, whether in a children's home or foster care, call 0161 237 5577 (Mondays to Fridays 10am- 6pm). ANV can phone you back to save on the cost of your call. You can also text their mobile on 07736 501230 or go the website at www.anationalvoice.org.

ChildLine provides free and confidential counselling for anyone up to the age of 18. The free helpline is 0800 11 11 (24 hours a day every day). If you have difficulty in hearing or in using a regular phone try the textphone service on 0800 400 222. ChildLine phone lines can be very busy but do keep trying and you will get through. There's more information on the website www.childline.org.uk or you can write to ChildLine, Freepost NATN 1111, London E1 6BR.

Get Connected is a free helpline and e-mail service helping young people find the best support whatever their problem. It's especially good for anyone who has left home. Call 0808 808 4994 (every day 1pm-11pm), this number is offered free by the main mobile phone operators. The e-mail address is help@getconnected.org.uk or check out the website at www.getconnected.org.uk.

The Who Cares Trust works to improve public care for around 60,000 children and young people who are separated from their families and living in residential or foster care. If you visit their website you'll be able to link to their new service for carers and young people called Right here, Right now at www.thewhocarestrust.org.uk.

If you're searching for someone separated through adoption, whether it's a parent, child or other family member, you can get further information from the Adoption Contact Register. For England and Wales, phone 0151 471 4830 (Mondays to Fridays 9am-5pm), or check out their website, which contains a lot of information for people who have been adopted, at www.gro.gov.uk.

For Scotland call Birth Link on 0131 225 6441 or go to www.birthlink.org.uk.

For the Northern Ireland adoption register and for information on birth certificates phone The General Register Office for Northern Ireland on 028 9025 2000 (Mondays to Fridays 9.30am-4pm) or go to www.groni.gov.uk.

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