Young people on waiting list up 50 per cent

One of Scotland’s leading children’s charities has warned of a 50 per cent upsurge in the number of children and young people requiring foster care.

Barnardo’s Scotland has revealed that there are now nearly 700 children and young people who are on waiting lists for foster care – up from 461 in just a year.

Martin Crewe, director of Barnardo’s Scotland, said:“At Barnardo’s Scotland, we are committed to keeping‘The Promise’to care-experienced young people and to ensure every child in Scotland grows up safe, loved and respected.

“In situations where children and young people require to be looked after away from their own families and homes, either for a short period until their family life improves, or at other times on a long-term basis, our aim is to provide these children with caring, loving and stable foster families.

“That is why we are calling on people to consider joining Barnardo’s Scotland as a foster carer. We have more than 80 years of experience of successfully placing children and young people with families, and there are many benefits of being a carer with us.”

Martin cited a thorough child-andcarer matching process, out-of-hours advice, and a support line service provided by Barnardo’s social work team.

In addition, there are regular support groups and family social events, held to enable carers to meet the Barnardo’s team and other local carers, along with a high level of professional training and development, relevant to each placement.

Barnardo’s Scotland works to support all children, regardless of their circumstances, gender, race, disability or behaviour, with the purpose of transforming their lives for the better.

The charity has a reputation for providing excellent support to its carers and, accordingly, few of its foster placements break down.

All foster carers receive a daily allowance which is designed to cover the cost of caring for a fostered child. This is intended to cover food, clothes, toys, pocket money, gifts, personal items, transport and all other expenses incurred when looking after a child and/or young person, including household costs.

Mr Crewe added: “Barnardo’s Scotland’s reputation is second to none, and so you can be confident that if you decide to become a carer with us that you will be part of a nationally respected organisation.”

For more information on becoming a foster carer with Barnardo’s Scotland, visit www. barnardos.org.uk/foster, or call 0800 0277 280 for a chat. The charity’s lines are open from Monday to Friday, between 9am and 5pm.