Norfolk Needs More Foster Carers

The death of Baby P has led to a ``chronic shortage'' of foster carers, according to a national charity.

The Fostering Network say there are 10,000 fewer foster families than are needed after an ``unprecedented rise'' in the number of children being taken into care.

They have just released a report called  'Bursting At The Seams' that found that nearly six in 10 local authorities are having difficulty in finding the right homes for children.

And only a third reported they had been able to find appropriate placements.

In total, 53,934 children in the UK needed a foster home in 2009, compared with 51,009 in 2007.

In Norfolk, Childrens Services say they've had around fifty children needing a foster home since Christmas, and are finding it difficult to find placements for children under five.