AS WELL as delivering good news to the hockey club, state MP Phil Reeves used his time in Warwick yesterday to launch an initiative close to his heart.

The number of youth needing foster care is on the increase, he explained to the Daily News, yet the number of foster carers on the system has plateaued.

To turn this around, the State Government is asking Southern Downs residents to consider becoming foster carers.

"People involved in sport like hockey are the kind of people we want to become foster carers," Mr Reeves said.

"It's sponsoring our future. You don't have to know about being a carer, it's just like helping out another club."

The increasing number of children needing foster care is a state-wide, as well as nationwide phenomenon.

Mr Reeves said it was due to increased reports from members of the community.

"People aren't turning a blind eye," he said.

"They aren't going to accept people being abused and they report it to the authorities."

Becoming a foster carer involves a five-step process, which can be done over the internet.

Mr Reeves said the online application involved a personal and family assessment to see how suited each family is to being a foster carer.

"That ultimately leads to the application process," he said.

"The number of foster children is only going to grow.

"And if a child can't be with their family, then the next best thing is to be with another who'll open their hearts and home."