AN information evening is being staged for families considering fostering and adoption.

Thursday's open event takes place at the Social Services Training Centre, Carr-mere Road, Leechmere Industrial Estate, Sunderland, from 6.30pm to 8.30pm.

Staff will be on hand to answer questions and provide further information for anyone considering becoming a foster carer or adopting a child.

Social services have introduced a new training course for foster carers, called Therapeutic Crisis Intervention for Family Care Providers.

Specially-trained instructors teach foster carers skills in crisis prevention and crisis "de-escalation" intended to help children to learn to avoid losing control.

Further information about the open evening and the new training courses are available from principal fostering and adoption officer Shelagh Gregory, on 0191-566 3200