Parents in Brent suffering from ‘empty nest syndrome’ are being targeted in a new fostering campaign.

Brent Council is appealing to parents whose children have left home for university or job opportunities to consider becoming foster carers.

Potential fosterers would need a spare bedroom, a commitment and desire to care for children and young people who need a loving and stable home.

In return the council is offering a learning, development and training package.

Cllr Wilhelmina Mitchell Murray, Brent Council’s lead member for children and young people, said: “We believe parents who have grown up children of their own make excellent foster carers. They have the knowledge, skills and experience of what’s required to support and nurture a child in all aspects of their lives.

“In Brent, we have over 300 children in care but not enough foster carers who live locally to provide them with a home. The shortage of Brent foster carers reduces the choices available for children and young people in care and reminds us that we urgently need to recruit more foster carers, especially for older children and sibling groups.

“I encourage any parents who have the time, space, energy and love, to take that first step and find out how fostering changes lives.”

For more information email fostering@brent.gov.uk or call 020 8937 4538.