Highland foster carer call from leading children's welfare charity
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A welfare charity is asking for potential foster carers across the Highlands to come forward to support vulnerable children.
Raising concerns that the pandemic could lead to a sharp increase in requests for foster care, Barnardo’s Scotland wants to hear from suitable candidates with space in their home to offer the support that is needed.
Sue Brunton, assistant director for Barnardo’s Scotland fostering said: “The pandemic and lockdowns have increased pressure on vulnerable families, with job losses, deepening poverty and worsening mental health which could all lead to family breakdown.”
The charity is concerned these pressures could impact more families as the pandemic continues.
Ms Brunton continued: “Fostering is an exceptional job. We are looking for people who can do a lot of juggling between work, care and home schooling under lockdown.
"We need people who have a real understanding of the process of a child’s development, the impact of trauma in their lives, people with a sense of fun and those who really enjoy children’s company.
"They need to be able to make that commitment to helping a child settle for a set period of time.
“It’s more important than ever for people to consider becoming foster carers to ensure the right loving families are available in the right location when children need them.
"For anyone who is thinking about fostering, it is totally worth it. These children need you and if you have space to love, please consider it.”
Barnardo’s Scotland fostering north is asking people over 21, who have a spare room and the time and commitment to support a child, to get in touch and consider fostering.
The charity offers comprehensive training and support to our foster carers, including extensive support throughout the application process, intensive induction and regular ongoing training and one to ones, as well as dedicated out-of-hours access to a social worker and a generous financial fee.
If you are interested in becoming a foster carer and really making a difference to a child’s life we're here to help, go to www.barnardos.org.uk/foster/north-scotland or call 0800 0277 280.
