Foster carers in north-east to double in next two years

The number of foster carers in Aberdeenshire is to double over the next two years after the council’s social work arm reset targets to increase the number of people trained to work with the region’s most vulnerable children.

A Care Commission report praising Aberdeenshire Council’s adoption and fostering services was considered by members of the social work and housing committee yesterday.

Social work manager Jan Sanders told members that over the last two to three years an average of 10 or 11 foster homes had joined the service annually.

Since April this year social workers have recruited eight new foster parents.

“That is a significant increase for five months,” she said. “It is very positive.

“We aim to double what we have been doing in previous years, over the next two years.”

Ms Sanders warned the plans were “ambitious” and may not be achievable but said officers were striving to meet the target.

The council has to compete with independent agencies in the recruitment of foster carers, she added.

The local authority was given high marks in all of the areas inspected in February.

Chief social work officer Chris Booth said: “These services are difficult to deliver well and consistently. This report shows, in terms of adoption and fostering services, we are the best in Scotland.

“It is because we want to do the best for Aberdeenshire’s children.”

He acknowledged that the number of children being looked after by the council had risen over the last seven years, in line with national trends. The increase was in children going into foster care rather than residential homes, which remains static, he added.

“It says to me there has been a response in the community to meet need,” he said.

Committee chairman councillor Gurudeo Saluja praised the “excellent” report. “The Care Commission have not made any requirements or recommendations,” he said. “They are obviously very satisfied.”

Councillors also agreed to host two civic receptions recognising the contribution of foster carers within the next six months.