Foster parents wanted for over-15s

Families with a spare room who can provide a loving home for a youngster, are asked to get in touch with East Renfrewshire Council.

The local authority is searching for residents who can help young people from the area to stay in it by welcoming them into their home.

Council bosses said children of all ages need help, but there is a particular need to find foster carers for young people aged 16 to 21, who are not ready to live on their own just yet.

Being placed with the right foster carers locally will give these young people the opportunity to continue with their education or employment, keep the same circle of friends, and give them the stability to thrive with a family that can give them the love and support that they need.

Kate Rocks, chief social work officer for East Renfrewshire, said: “Fostering is incredibly rewarding.

“Most people imagine they would take in a baby or toddler, but there are young people of all ages that need the love and guidance of a home setting.

“The difference with taking in a 16 to 21-year-old is they are asking to be placed in a family home.

While there are other options available to them, they still want stability and support.

“If I consider myself at 16, or even 20, I know I would not have been ready to leave the family home either, and with most of our young people still in education or just starting working life, it’s a wonderful time to help them become wellrounded adults.

“Please pick up the phone and speak to us. We treat every enquiry individually and full support is provided, along with financial assistance.”

Councillor Caroline Bamforth, chair of the East Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership Integration Joint Board, said the aim of the fostering campaign is to increase the numbers of supported carers in the area who can offer a loving home to young people at a crucial stage in their lives.

“This particular fostering role can be extremely rewarding and I would urge any residents who are interested to get in touch with the team to find out more,”she added.

For more information log onto www.eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk/ foster or call 0141 577 8300.