'Struggle' to find foster care for children in Guernsey

The head of Guernsey's fostering and adoption team has renewed her appeal for more people to volunteer to foster children.

Julie Barnes said if a child came into the system today, her department would "struggle" to find foster care for him or her.

Earlier this year the States announced it was increasing the payment made to carers by 20%.

Ms Barnes said it was important for potential carers to come forward.

In 2009 there were up to 70 children on the fostering register and a day-to-day shortage of between 10 and 15 carers.

The States Health and Social Security Department warned that children might have to be sent off the island to be fostered if more carers were not found locally.

Ms Barns told BBC News: "Without a doubt we would struggle today if a child needed to come into the care of the department.

"This is why it is important that if people feel fostering is for them, or they'd like to know more about it, they come forward."