More foster carers needed says Devon council
A shortage of foster carers for older children and those with challenging behaviour has prompted an appeal.
More than 700 children in care in Devon are looking for foster carers, said the county council.
The current shortage is for children between the ages seven and 18 and for those with more challenging behaviour, said the council.
It said allowances had risen since last year and additional support and training was available.
Councillor James McInnes, the council's cabinet member with responsibility for the fostering service said: "The Fostering Devon service has grown a lot in recent years.
"We have more foster carers available to provide long-term care as well as emergency or respite care, but we will always want more carers to give us the flexibility to enable us to provide suitable matches."