Karen has been in her current post since January 2007. Karen holds responsibility for the fostering and adoption service, residential care and commissioning of external placements.

Like many other local authorities we engage in a constant battle to ensure we have enough placements to meet the needs of children that come into our care. In the last year we have run a very successful campaign to recruit foster carers and adopters both locally and regionally. In Blackburn with Darwen we have had particular success in engaging Asian community leaders in helping us to promote the need for carers from this background.