Hundreds of teenagers in care ‘need a foster family’

ALMOST half of teenagers in foster care are already living with their third f amily, a survey has revealed.

Hundreds of foster carers are needed in Scotland to deal with the rising number of children being placed in care.

Now campaigners have issued a plea for single carers and families to come forward if they believe they can help with teenagers, siblings or disabled children.

A survey carried out by the charity Fostering Network has found that almost half of all those aged between 12 and 18 currently in care are already living with their third family.

Experts also said that 8 per cent of all teens in care will have as many as ten homes before the age of 19.

Carla, 23, was taken into care at the age of 12 and had around eight foster homes before moving to her first long-term placement. She said: ‘My most poignant memory of being in care is probably the first day I went to live with the Randall family.

‘I compared the house to a palace and I literally jumped up and down when no one was looking. I can remember exactly what everyone was wearing, my foster mum’s smile and what we had for dinner, which I was allowed to choose.

‘My foster mum was kind and she knew I was scared. It wasn’t all rainbows and smiles, it took a lot of hard work and understanding on their part to make me feel secure and trust that things would work out.

‘Looking back now I realise that the Randalls saved my life. I never understood the extent of the neglect and abuse I had endured until I came to live with a normal loving family.

‘They nurtured a young, angry, untrusting teenager to become a positive, empathetic and successful young woman.’

The Fostering Network has estimated that at least 750 new foster carers across Scotland are needed this year to meet the growing demand for placements.

As well as a shortage of homes for teenagers, experts have al s o highlighted a need for carers willing to look after siblings and disabled children.

A carer who has fostered teenagers for three years, who asked to be known only as Cindy, said: ‘When we were asked what our preference would be when we started fostering, I replied, a young person who needs a family.

‘We found ourselves gravitating towards teenagers because all young people face challenges, but I find the teenagers more independent thinking and engaging, and navigating through the teenage years is bumpy but great fun.

‘I have enjoyed shopping, listening to music, and going to theme parks. Fostering teenagers means we never get to grow old. Life is so much more fun having them in our life, and we learn as much from them as they learn from us.’

A lack of carers often means that teenagers have to be moved a long way from their previous homes, leaving behind family, friends and schools.

Sara Lurie, director of Fostering Network Scotland, said: ‘As each year passes, we see more and more children coming into care.

‘We need people who can open their hearts, and their homes, to vulnerable children and young people and use their skills to help support them to reach their full potential.

‘In particular, we need people who have the skills, patience and passion to look after teenagers who may have had a really tough time and who are facing some real challenges, and to offer them l ove, stability and security.

‘A good foster carer will believe in the ambition of the children in their care in the same way they’d believe in the ambition of their biological family members.’

‘Some have had a really tough time’