Local MP Douglas Ross is supporting Foster Care Fortnight 2021 (May 10-23) which aims to spread awareness about the need for more people to consider becoming foster carers.
Douglas said: “Foster carers make such a difference to the lives of young people and they deserve our thanks and support for everything they do.
“With 500 new foster carers needed across Scotland, this could be the ideal opportunity for people to come forward and change the life of a child who cannot live with their birth family and needs care. That’s why I am supporting this campaign to recruit more foster carers here in Moray.
“Being a foster carer is about more than just providing love for children, it is about the skills you bring to ensure that you can support children to develop, achieve and thrive. Foster carers need to have listening, observational, and communications skills, as well as a warm and engaging personality. They must be able to offer stability and be a team player.
“By becoming a foster carer, you become part of a community who are dedicating their lives to improve the opportunities for others.”
Sara Lurie, Director of Scotland, The Fostering Network, explained that during the Pandemic more than 3500 families provided stable and loving homes to 4750 children across Scotland but that more foster parents are desperately needed.
She said: “It has been a very difficult year, and despite the personal, practical and emotional challenges that the pandemic has brought, foster carers have continued to nurture, love, care for and educate children and young people who can’t live with their birth families. I have remained in awe by the commitment and determination I have seen from foster families throughout this year and wish to extend my warmest appreciation. Thank you.”
If you feel you have the compassion, skills and the belief in children to be a foster carer and want to find out more visit https://thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/could-you-foster
