Calls for foster carers across South Tyneside
They say there is a huge shortage of foster carers in South Tyneside, but also across the North East region
A 6-year-old South Tyneside girl could soon be moved away from everything she knows, her school, her friends, her life.
The little girl has been in care since she was two, but her foster family are moving and no new home has been found locally.
Vicky Watson, Fostering Practice Manager at South Tyneside Council, said: "She loves to read, she likes playing with dolls, she likes all things Disney, she loves going to the park.
"She just needs a loving home and someone who can support her, someone who can meet her every need, and someone who will believe in her and commit to her."
The council explain why it is important for the children to stay in the region.
Vicky said: "We need more foster carers to meet demand and if we can't find a local home where the links can be maintained, then we'll need to consider moving them out of the area.
"Obviously urgently looking for this little girl, but as well as her, we have 31 other children and young people who we're searching for homes for right now.
"It's always our priority to keep South Tyneside children within the local area, but sadly that's not always possible.
"Often the school that the children attend, the communities and their friendships are the only consistent thing that they have.
"We can't underestimate the importance of having those local links for the child.
"All of the change that they've already been through and then adding to this change by sometimes moving them into a residential home, where that must be really scary for them, or moving them miles away from home and from their local area.
"Due to the shortage, sadly in South Tyneside, some children as young as eight have had to move into a residential children's home, where ideally a foster home would have been more suitable to their needs and part of their plan."