Seven newborn babies have been
taken into care in just one week - the highest number ever seen by city
adoption officers.
Leicester Fostering and Adoption Centre bosses say they sometimes go several
months without seeing any newborns, and cannot understand why so many were
registered in such a short space of time.
Some of the babies are still in hospital, while others are being looked after
by temporary foster families.
Today, adoption officer Paul Morley said the centre was struggling to find
enough carers to come with the influx.
He said: "It's very strange. Some weeks we have very few children and now
we've had all these babies. It's very unpredictable, but at the moment we are
struggling to meet the needs of babies in the city, which is unusual."
Latest hospital figures show the number of babies born in the city has risen
by almost 15 per cent in five years, from 9,118 in 2002 to 10,451 in 2007.
There are 106 youngsters, from newborns to the age of five, living with
Leicester carers at the moment.
The seven newborns were among 14 children taken into care during the last week
of February.
Some of those youngsters need to be adopted permanently, while others need
temporary foster homes while a decision is made about their future.
Mr Morley said: "The numbers are pretty similar to last year.
"It varies so much so we can't say there is a definite reason for all these
babies coming in. Last summer, we had four or five in very quickly, but seven
has to be a record."
City foster carer Liz has been looking after babies with her husband, Michael,
for the past four years, and has been caring for six-month-old Emma - not her
real name - since she was just four days old.
The couple have two children of their own, but said they always wanted to help
others.
Liz, 34, said: "It's a really special feeling, especially with the newborns
because you're taking on a new life.
"It's difficult saying goodbye, but you know they are going on to a better
life, whether that's with an adoption family or with their parents again. It's
a happy ending for them and it's my job to look after them in the difficult
period before that.
"It's sad seeing them go, but then you think that there are loads more
children out there to help as well."
Michael, 48, said: "It's so rewarding. Just seeing them smile makes it all
worthwhile
