We have 4000 great families but need more
Every year, thousands of children across Scotland live with about 4000 amazing foster families while they can’t live with their own families.
This can be for a few days or for a whole childhood – but for however long it is, what’s really important is that children and young people are offered the stability, care and support they need to be able to flourish.
There is a real need in Scotland for more foster families, for people who think they might have the skills and experience required to care for a child or young person who have had a traumatic start to life.
There’s a particular need for people to look after sibling groups.
Of course, fostering isn’t an easy thing to do, but it is hugely rewarding and can transform the lives of children as well as the foster families who care for them.
I am fortunate to be able to spend many of my working days with foster carers and hear from them time and again of how proud they are to foster.
If you would like to find out more about foster care or being a foster carer, visit www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/couldyoufoster
where you can also find the details of your local fostering services.
You can call a fostering service and ask lots of questions about the support and financial package they offer without making a commitment.
After the initial approval and training process (which takes six to nine months) you will receive ongoing training and support from your fostering service.