Renfrewshire council says it urgently needs more people to become foster carers and adoptive parents.
A recruitment campaign is hoping to encourage more carers to come forward, even if they don't consider themselves typical candidates.
The council aims to find new homes for as many as 200 children and young people.
Councillor Eileen McCartin, Convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Community and Family Care Policy Board, said, “There are many reasons why children can’t stay with their own families any more. These range from neglect and abuse to parents whose drink or drug problems mean they no longer put their children’s needs first.
“Whatever the reason, life has not been easy for these children and they need love and stability to grow into happy, confident people. We need many, many more potential foster carers and adoptive parents to come forward and offer these children that opportunity.”
Renfrewshire Council offers its foster carers and adoptive parents ongoing training and full support. Foster carers also get paid for each child that they look after, with weekly payments of up to £580.
The law also changed last year to allow more people to be foster carers and to adopt. Carers need to be over 21 but there is no fixed upper age limit. Carers can be married or single, home owners or tenants. They can be working or unemployed.
Carers don’t need to live in Renfrewshire – they can live up to 25 miles away. Importantly, they do have to have a spare room.
Provost Celia Lawson said, “Many people might not have thought about fostering before, or might think that they aren’t eligible. Our aim is to get the best possible match between the child and the person who cares for them.
"The most vital qualification we are looking for is someone who can provide a child with a stable, loving home at a time when they need it most.”
People who are interested in fostering or adopting should call 0141 842 4403 or email childcare@renfrewshire.gov.uk
They can also visit www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/fostering or call the fostering and adoption team on 0141 842 5158 for an informal chat.
