Kent County Council says a shortage of foster carers is reaching crisis point - and the continuing influx of asylum seeker children is making it even more challenging.

About 200 children across the county are in need of fostering but currently do not have a placement.

There is a particular shortage in west Kent, including Tunbridge Wells, Maidstone and Tonbridge.

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KCC says the county is not unique as there is a national shortage of foster carers estimated at 9,000.

But the authority says there is added pressure because of the large number of unaccompanied asylum seeker children continuing to arrive in the county having endured traumatic journeys.

In Kent this year, 1,593 children entered care compared to 899 in 2013-14.

Cllr Peter Oakford, KCC cabinet member for specialist children’s services, said: "We need more foster carers now.

"As the number of children entering care continues to rise, councils across the country are struggling to recruit the homes we need to be able to do our best for our looked after children.”

He added: “We need more homes so that we have a wide range of people who can meet the diverse needs of these vulnerable young people.

"This means we are more able to make the right match first time and find them a stable, permanent home in which they can thrive.”

Of the 1,446 children fostered with Kent County Council, 68% are aged over ten years old and 57% have siblings who also need foster homes. 8% of the young people also have disabilities.

The council needs homes for older children, aged 13 to 18, supporting them towards independence, for children with disabilities and for sibling groups to help keep brothers and sisters together.

Foster carers can be married, single, living with a partner, and with or without children of their own.

Allowances are paid to cover costs.

To find out more about fostering in Kent or to get details of the next information event near you, visit the Kent Fostering website or call 03000 420002 to speak to an advisor.