Your chance to make a big difference to a child’s life

North Ayrshire Council is backing a campaign which aims to spread awareness and encourage people to consider adopting or fostering a child.

The council’s family placement team has joined the Fostering Network’s annual UK awareness week to help make a difference to a child’s life during Foster Care Fortnight.

Foster Care Fortnight, which runs until Sunday May 23, aims to encourage people to consider becoming a foster carer or adoptive parent to brother and sister groups or older children – aged 10 to 15 – in North Ayrshire.

They are looking for people who have a desire to better the life of sibling groups or older children that cannot be cared for by their family.

In particular, people who can offer time, love, empathy and flexibility are needed. To be eligible potential foster carers must be over 25. They can be single or in a relationship for more than two years with experience of caring for children.

Councillor Robert Foster, cabinet member for health and social care, said: ‘Fostering and adoption is very rewarding for our carers and makes a real difference to a child and family’s life.

‘During Foster Care Fortnight we want to raise awareness and encourage people to find out more about becoming a foster carer or adoptive parent.

‘There is a need for foster and adoptive parents for sibling groups and older children in North Ayrshire. We want to keep brothers and sisters together as much as we can and most children who come into foster care are part of a sibling group.

‘If you think you have what it takes to care for a sibling group or older children and become a foster or adoptive parent, we need to hear from you. Please contact the Family Placement Team and make a difference to a young family’s life.’

More information about fostering, adoption and how you can help can be found by contacting the Family Placement Team on 01294 310300 or on Twitter @ NA_FosterAdopt or search for North Ayrshire Foster Adopt on Instagram and Facebook.