Welcome from Councillor Judith Blake, executive member for children's services:

"We want to make Leeds the best city in the UK for children and young people to grow up in - a child friendly city. There are so many ways that people living in Leeds can help us do that, but one of the most significant, rewarding and life changing contributions you can make is to join the council's network of foster carers.

"We urgently need more people in Leeds to get involved in fostering. By providing the children and young people that the council has taken into care with a safe, loving home; you can literally shape and improve their future.

"As you'd expect, being a foster carer can have its challenges, but you will be well supported. As the second largest local authority in England, with the fourth highest population of children in care, we have a wealth of experience we can draw on to help you. Our fostering service currently supports 500 fostering households, and our family placement service provides short breaks and long-term care for disabled children and young people. Our adoption service meets the needs of around 180 children each year, providing them and their adoptive families with essential support and guiding them through the adoption process.

"Keeping children safe and helping them get the best outcomes as they grow up is at the heart of our work. To help us do that, find out more about becoming a foster carer or adopter by clicking on the pages on our site, or you can call us using the numbers on this page.

"We look forward to hearing from you."