A campaign has been launched to attract more social workers to the Yorkshire and Humberside region.

Official figures have indicated that there are currently 70,300 children requiring care in the area, which represents a three per cent annual rise and a record high for the region.

In response to the figures, local councils have been given a grant of £150 million in order to improve standards of care and to promote the benefits of working in social work jobs.  

Speaking to BBC News, Kirklees Council director for children and young people Alison O'Sullivan explained why the campaign was so important for the area.

She said: "Across Yorkshire and the Humber, more children than ever need support. The increase is reflected nationally and is sue to a growing awareness of child protection issues, especially after the Baby Peter case in London.

"We want people to have a better understanding of what it's like to work with vulnerable children and we want to encourage more people to consider it as a career."

According to nds.coi.gov.uk, the campaign will include the launch of a new website featuring real-life video stories from social workers in the region.  The videos aim to showcase the challenges, complexities and rewards gained from a career in social work.