As part of Foster Care Fortnight we're is keen to hear from anyone who would like to join our dedicated team of carers and become a member of our fostering community
We’re looking to hear from potential carers who are able to care for children and young people, aged between 0–21, who need a family placement. This includes a particular need for carers who would be interested in supporting older children, sibling groups, disabled children and unaccompanied asylum-seeking children.
Carers who would be able to provide short breaks for children with complex needs and disabilities are also required. This involves providing weekend breaks and short-term periods of care for children who continue to live at home with their parents.
Angela O’Callaghan, Foster Carer
"I've been a foster carer alongside my husband for the past 14 years, initially on a short-term basis before moving onto long-term and permanent care. There's no doubt that foster care is a roller coaster of experiences, but it’s also incredibly rewarding, and we wouldn’t change it for the world.
“Supporting often traumatised children and young people to navigate the situation they find themselves in requires patience, love, empathy, care and understanding. It can be a difficult road to follow and can test the resilience of the strongest person. It requires commitment and dedication, and a good foster carer will be person-centred, a calm listener, an advocate and so much more.
“That said, the passion we held to care for children 14 years ago is just as strong if not stronger today. Our foster children have been fully welcomed into our immediate and wider families and are much loved by all. Along with the regular training and consistent support we have access to, not only are we immensely proud of our role but plan to continue for many years to come.”
Councillor Tom Weatherston, Executive Member for Social Work and Inclusion
"Every day in homes across the Borders, our dedicated team of carers are doing all they can to provide stable homes for some of our most vulnerable children and young people.
“Our carers come from all walks of life and may be single or in an enduring partnership; what they have in common is a genuine interest in children and young people, an enjoyment of their company and the ability to provide positive parenting with patience and understanding. Ordinary people living ordinary lives, but with a shared commitment to making an extraordinary difference to the child or young person in their care.
“If you think you’ve got the motivation, skills and experience to join our fostering community, our Family Placement Team can provide you with all the advice and information you need. They’ll be happy to talk you through all the benefits of working with us including the payments and allowances that you’ll be entitled to as well as details of the training and support that’s provided.”
Get in touch
To find out more, contact the Family Placement Team on 01896 662799 or visit the Fostering pages of our website. To follow them on Facebook, visit: @ScottishBordersFosteringandAdoption
You can also access detailed advice and information on the Scottish Government’s new online resource: Become a Foster Carer. This provides on what’s involved in being a foster carer and how to get started, as well as real life stories from existing carers that highlight the difference they’ve made to the lives of children and young people. Links to further resources, including local authority contacts and guidance on the application and approval process, are also available.
More information
- Foster Care Fortnight™ is the UK’s biggest foster care awareness raising campaign, delivered by leading fostering charity, The Fostering Network. Established in 1997, the campaign showcases the commitment, passion and dedication of foster carers. Find out more at:
- Foster carers need to have had experience of looking after or working with children and are able to provide positive parenting with patience and understanding. This will include a genuine interest in children and young people and having an enjoyment of their company. Being patient and having the ability to listen, understand and communicate with young people is also important. Many foster carers have had previous careers in child or social care, for example, while others have childcare experience with children in their own families and communities.
- Foster carers attend a wide range of training pre and post approval. They are also provided with a supervising social worker who provides regular support and supervision.
- Carers are paid a fee as well as a maintenance allowance to cover costs for caring for each child.
- Applicants need to be in reasonable health and in settled circumstances. A full assessment as to their suitability is carried out which includes statutory checks. They also need to attend a preparatory training course as part of the assessment process.