Shetland Islands Council has renewed its appeal for more foster carers to provide homes for vulnerable children and young people.
Foster carers provide a caring and nurturing family home for children and young people who, for a range of reasons, can’t live with their own family. The number of children needing foster care across Scotland continues to grow and Shetland has also seen increased demand in recent years. The Council is the only local fostering agency and has an ongoing need to recruit local foster carers.
Foster carers can come from a wide background, whether they are single, in a relationship, married, working full time or part time, a homeowner or renting their property. There is a particular need to recruit foster carers for children aged 12 years and up although applications will be welcomed for all ages.
Prospective foster carers 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.
Elaine Heinrich from the Council’s Family Placement Team: “Foster families perform an invaluable role on behalf of the Shetland community and give children the opportunity for the childhood that they deserve, but may not otherwise have. 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 for them. Please have a look at our new Information Pack online or get in touch if you just want to have a chat about what’s involved.”
More information and a downloadable Information pack about fostering in Shetland can be found at: https://www.shetland.gov.uk/children-families/adoption-fostering-kinship-care/2?documentId=290&categoryId=20119 or the Shetland Fostering and Adoption Facebook page