Authorities across the Midlands are hoping to boost the prospects of children looking for a family with the launch today of a national two-week fostering initiative.
Foster Care Fortnight, which ends on May 20, has been developed by national charity The Fostering Network and aims to give prospective carers information about the way fostering works in the UK.
With the introduction of a new financial and training package, foster carers can now receive an allowance ranging from £77 to £481.
A spokeswoman for the charity said fostering had moved steadily up the political agenda and it was determined to continue pushing on issues including the professionalism of foster carers, "a gold standard" for allowances and proper pay structures and professional training for carers.
In Walsall, a number of information events will be held during the two weeks at Walsall Central Library, St Paul's The Crossing, on the community play bus and in Walsall Civic Square.
The borough council's family placement service is looking for foster carers to provide placements for children of all ages requiring temporary and permanent placements. It is also looking for carers who can offer short-term breaks to disabled children.
Balbir Sandhu and his wife Mindho have been foster carers in Walsall for 17 years and have offered permanent, short break and respite placements.
Mr Sandhu said: "There are many positives to fostering. Not only is it rewarding but you are helping to make a difference to a child's life."
Dudley Council will launch a new foster carer centre on May 12.
Celebrities backing the campaign include Wayne Rooney's fiancee Coleen McLoughlin, who said: "My own parents have been foster parents since I was very young and I know from long experience what a fantastic job foster carers do."
* For information about fostering call 0800 923 3706.
