Today marks the start of the national Foster Care Fortnight, the UK’s biggest foster care awareness raising campaign, organised by the Fostering Network.
Shetland Islands Council is the only local fostering agency and needs to recruit more foster carers to provide vital support and homes for children and young people.
There is currently a particular need for foster carers who would consider looking after young people aged 12 and over; foster homes that can provide care to sibling groups; and people who have experience or an interest in caring for children with additional support needs.
Foster carers can come from a wide background, can be single, in a relationship, married, working full time or part time, a homeowner or renting their property. It is important that people are caring and nurturing individuals, and childcare experience is helpful but not essential.
Prospective foster carers will receive training and support from the Council’s Family Placement Team. Financial support is available in the form of fees and allowances, to cover the costs associated with caring for each child or young person, for items such as clothing, food, household expenses, and day-to-day living costs.
There’s a Foster Walk on Saturday 20th May at 10am to raise awareness of the role of foster carers. Anyone is welcome to come along and show their support on a walk around the Clickimin Loch – the meeting point is at the car park between Clickimin Leisure Complex and Anderson High School. Refreshments and snacks are available afterwards in the Bowler’s Bar at Clickimin Leisure Complex.
There is also an opportunity to speak to members of the Council’s Family Placement Team and foster carers at drop-in event on Tuesday 23rd May from 1.30pm-2.30pm in the Radio Room at Islesburgh Community Centre.
Elaine Guest from the Council’s Family Placement Team said: “We are always looking for new foster carers and would appreciate anyone taking some time to find out more information. Foster carers make a vital contribution to children and young people’s lives, and we appreciate each and everyone’s commitment to the fostering role. We’re keen to hear from anyone, individuals or couples, who are over the age of 21, and have a desire to look after children, to help provide a stable family home and support to them.”
More information about fostering in Shetland can be found on the Council’s website at: www.shetland.gov.uk/children-families or by contacting 01595 744000.
For more information on Foster Care Fortnight, please look up: www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/foster-care-fortnight-2023