100 Children In Fife Need Foster Families

750 more foster families are needed in Scotland, and Barnados says the need is more acute for older children, disabled youngsters and siblings.

The charity said it received just under 100 child referrals in Fife last year, and that the Kingdom's geography is a particular challenge for providing short-term temporary care.

Barnardo's Scotland is asking would-be foster carers in Fife, with love to give, to come forward and offer these children a stable home as part of Foster Care Fortnight, which starts today.

Since 2010, the number of vulnerable children coming into care across the UK has risen by 8%. It's estimated by the Fostering Network that 8,370 foster carers are needed around the UK. Without enough stable and caring foster homes to place these children in, they risk being moved around or not being placed in the family that is best for them. Meanwhile siblings often risk being split up. 

The charity is urging would-be foster carers to sign up and reap the rewards of giving these overlooked children a loving home, as part of the Foster Care Fortnight nationwide recruitment drive by the Fostering Network.

With same-sex adopting and fostering couples reaching record highs this year, Barnardo's Scotland is calling on carers from every walk of life to come forward.  The charity particularly specialises in placing children from diverse backgrounds in loving foster homes, which will help change their life for the better.

'Too many never experience stability'

Siobhan Carroll, Barnardo's Scotland's Assistant Director for Fostering & Adoption said "We believe that good and loving foster care is crucial to giving vulnerable children the happy home they so desperately need and deserve. However, too many may never experience the stability and care so many of us take for granted because there simply aren’t enough foster carers to meet these children’s needs.

"Single or in a couple, black or white, same-sex or heterosexual; we are asking would-be carers from all walks of life who have love to give to come forward and provide homes for these youngsters."

Barnardo's is reaching out to carers who want to provide homes for older children, siblings, and disabled children, for whom the need for loving foster homes is particularly acute.

The charity first placed children in family settings more than one hundred years ago. Today it is urgently calling for foster carers who will look after children for either short breaks of just a few weeks, a number of years, or until they reach adulthood.

Barnardo's Scotland guides foster carers through a detailed matching process and provides on-going support. The charity also runs parenting courses that prepare foster carers for the process and equip them with the skills to provide support, love and encouragement to some of the UK’s most vulnerable children. This support ensures that foster carers will never go it alone.

Foster carers come from all walks of life and you don’t have to come from a childcare profession to foster children.

Siobhan continues: "It helps if you’ve had experience with children, but the main qualities you need are patience and love."

To find out more about fostering and adoption, call 0845 894 9501.