A WORSENING fostering crisis has prompted a charity to issue urgent calls for more Jewish families to open up their homes to children in need.

Staff at Norwood Ravenswood, based in Broadway House, Stanmore, have admitted that they still do not have enough Jewish families interested in fostering Jewish children.

Last year, the Anglo-Jewry's leading children and family services charity failed to find homes for 10 children.

The situation has been described as 'unacceptable' by placement services manager, Jacky Gordon, who said: "The community is not supporting children in need and we have to find a way through the shortage.

"Our situation exactly mirrors what is happening on a national scale. However, the crisis is particularly acute when we are looking to place children aged between 10 and 16."

The charity's chief executive, Norma Brier, has launched an initiative to combat the crisis by providing financial support for those interested in encouraging others who believe they cannot afford to help. The aim is to recruit at least four to six new Jewish foster families and offer them £326 a week while they care for a child.

Ms Gordon hopes the scheme will help find homes for those children who, in the past, have been difficult to place.

To qualify, at least one family member has to become a full-time carer so they are available during the day to allow time to meet the child's needs.

While fostering they will be required to attend training sessions and support groups run by the family placement team.