More foster carers are urgently needed to help with unaccompanied asylum seeker children, Islington Council has said.

Twenty lone children have already come to the borough so far this year with numbers expected to rise. And new families are needed to offer a caring home for some of the most vulnerable young people who have escaped persecution in their homelands.

This could include young people affected by the unrest in Syria, and children fleeing violence and persecution elsewhere.

Cllr Joe Caluori, executive member for children and young people, said: “These children arrive in the UK scared, alone and with an uncertain future.

“Wherever they are from, they are all in need of a welcoming home where they can feel safe, secure and supported.

“It is essential we act now, as already 20 unaccompanied children have arrived in the borough this year.”

The council has not received children from Syria so far, but is anticipating a need for more foster families in the coming months.

The borough currently has a total of 58 children in foster care, aged between 13 and 17. Countries of origin range from Albania to Eritrea.

Islington has more than 150 foster carers looking after children of all ages and backgrounds, but with ongoing crises across the world, the fostering team needs more people to come forward now.

The assessment process to become a foster carer with Islington Council, for any child or young person, can take several months, and the authority said “it is vital to act soon”.

All foster carers working with Islington Council receive generous financial support, a dedicated social worker, 24-hour support, extensive training opportunities and regular peer support.

For more information, call 0800 073 0428, email fostering@islington.gov.uk or visit islington.gov.uk/fostering