concern over finding homes for needy youngsters.

Today, the Department of Family Services is holding an "open house'' at Cathedral Hall for potential foster parents.

The noon-1.30 p.m. session is part of Foster Parent Awareness Week.

"There will be a foster care team on hand giving out pamphlets, and answering any question, said Mr. Warren Simmons, a social worker with Family Services.

"There will also be a short film aimed at making people more aware about foster parenting.'' Mr. Simmons said the need for foster parents had increased over the last few years.

"The need is especially for more difficult children. We are looking for more short-term emergency placements, and also to the longer term.'' At present, Family Services have 90 foster parents catering for 110 children, aged up to 17.

Helping Mr. Simmons publicise foster parenting yesterday were a Family Services' supervisor Mrs. Glenda Edwards, and a foster parent, who did not wish to be named.

They said there was a rigorous screening procedure for candidates.

Said the foster parent: "There is an application form which needs to be filled out, and there are several pertinent questions which are asked.

"You are asked about your ability to deal with children and whether you want to deal with `normal' children or those with special needs.'' The parent said she had been looking after foster children for a long time.

"The motivation for getting into it was to help those less fortunate than myself.

"It is very rewarding to see how the child overcomes problems. It should be remembered that foster parenting does not mean that the natural parents will not get their children back.

"The goal is to provide some temporary stability and return the children to their parents.'' She had her own thoughts on why the need for foster parenting had increased.

"We have younger and younger parents these days, who are really still children and not ready to cope with parenthood.'' Mrs. Edwards said children were referred to Family Services by the courts which directed how long youngsters should be placed in care.

Mr. Simmons said Family Services had undergone a reorganisation with more specialised help on hand.

Mrs. Edwards said foster parents were provided with some financial assistance to cover the basic needs of children.

But foster parenting should not be entered into for money, she said. "Foster parents should have commitment and love for the child.'' Anyone who cannot turn up to today's "open house'' at Cathedral Hall and is interested in becoming a foster parent can ring Mr. Simmons or social worker Mrs. Carolyn Webbe on 236-0224.