Kids In Care In Fife

There's been a 401.8% rise in the number of children in Fife entering foster care in the last five years.

516 youngsters are currently waiting to find a loving home. Barnardo's Scotland has launched a new campaign in a bid to encourage would-be carers to come forward.

People who foster tell Barnardo’s Scotland it is one of the most important and rewarding experiences they will ever have. A good foster carer can change a child’s life for the better, throwing them a lifeline of stability and support to build their self-esteem and resilience when they most need it.
 
Despite this, not enough people come forward to give vulnerable children and young people nurturing homes.
 
TOWIE (The Only Way is Essex) star Debbie Douglas is supporting Barnardo’s Scotland campaign as she has fostered more than 250 children. She said: “Fostering has been one of the most rewarding and fulfilling things I’ve done in my life. I’ve had so much joy from watching vulnerable children blossom and thrive when they are in my care.
 
“I know from being a mum that every child deserves the best start in life. You don’t have to have any special skills to foster, just be able to offer a child a loving home.”
 
Barnardo’s Scotland is reaching out to would-be carers who want to provide homes for toddlers and older children, children with a disability and siblings. The charity often finds it more difficult to find homes for siblings who are sometimes, tragically, split up.
 
Barnardo’s Scotland makes sure foster carers never ‘go it alone’, meticulously matching carers to children. It provides them with specialist foster carer classes and close, on-going, one-on-one help.
 
Michelle Strain, Barnardo’s Scotland east manager, said: “Loving foster care is crucial to giving vulnerable children the happy home they so desperately need and deserve. However too many never experience this, because there simply aren’t enough foster carers to go around to care for the most vulnerable youngsters.
 
“Single or in a couple, black or white, same-sex or heterosexual; we are asking would-be carers in Fife to come forward and help change a child’s life.
 
Barnardo’s Change A Life campaign is urging more foster carers to come forward to help change child’s life for the better. Contact Barnardo’s Scotland www.barnardos.org.uk/changealife  0800 0277 280.