Launch of Fostering Campaign

“me too” is the message of a new high profile fostering campaign in the Highlands which was launched today (Tuesday 11 September) to recruit foster carers for children and young people.

The Highland Council’s Fostering and Adoption Service is seeking people who have room in their lives as well as in their homes who could consider becoming foster carers and changing children’s lives.

The multi-media campaign drive will be hard to miss over the next few weeks as the publicity includes local adverts on TV, radio and newspapers, huge posters displayed on travelling trailers and on Highland buses and the distribution of 4,000 leaflets. The adverts which feature animation, are bright and cheerful and aim to show the rewards of fostering in seeing children thrive.

Councillor Liz Macdonald, Vice Chairman of the Joint Committee on Young People and Children was at the launch where the TV advert was premiered.  She said, "We are looking for a range of people with different skills and different time available, from 3 days, 3 months to 3 years. We hope to encourage as many people as possible to come forward as we need to build up our bank of carers, so we have more choice when children need to be looked after away from home. We would like people to be foster carers and contribute to making a difference for our most vulnerable children who have to live away from home."

This campaign is funded by the Scottish Government, who recognise that there is a national shortage of foster carers. It is part of developing a national strategy for foster care which recognises the invaluable work and commitment of carers.

There is no such thing as a typical foster carer. They come from all backgrounds, some are married, some are not, and some own their own houses, some rent.  They live in all parts of the Highlands What they do have in common is a desire to help children and young people  who need a chance of some stability and support to get them through hard times in their lives for short or longer periods.

Foster carer, June Mackinnon who has looked after more than 100 children over 14 years said: "Helping young people to find interests and activities which they really enjoy and make them feel good about themselves is all part of preparing them for adult life. Many of them lack confidence and don’t believe they are worth bothering about. When they come back to visit and you see them bringing up their own children, repeating things you did with them, or phoning to tell you about the milestones and achievements of your ‘foster grandchildren’ then it makes you feel all the time spent with them in their teens has paid off."

Irene Bloomfield, Manager of the service said:  “We hope to find homes for children of all ages, from babies to teenagers, and families who can take brothers and sisters. Previous campaigns in the Highlands have worked well and so we want this one to be just as, if not more successful. Families have often thought about fostering for a long time before coming forward. Often it is the children who want to help other children, or couples and single people whose children have left home want to use their skills and experience to help.”

In the Highlands there are currently 120  children  staying with foster carers, which is almost twice as many as those in residential care (60). Many more children and young people affected by disability need care for short breaks to help them and their families

There is always a demand for short breaks for young people with disabilities which compliments the work of the respite centre at the Orchard, in Inverness.

Harriet Dempster Director of The Highland Council’s Social Work Service said: "We have a target to recruit another 20 carers with this campaign and in return we offer good support from professional dedicated staff and access to development and training opportunities."