Foster care high note for Renfrewshire

Last year 15 new Renfrewshire families opened their hearts and their homes to vulnerable children by deciding to become foster carers.

The figures are contained in a new report from Renfrewshire’s Fostering and Adoption Panel. The rise saw Renfrewshire Council increase its pool of active foster carers by 19% during 2011/12.

Despite the increase, Renfrewshire still needs more foster carers especially for children who are 10 and over and children who need more intensive parenting.

Councillor Iain McMillan, Convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Social Work, Health and Well-being Policy Board, said, “As of 31 March 2012 the council was looking after 794 children.

“While many of these children will go back to their own parents after a short time in foster care, others won’t be able to go home and may move on to either permanent fostering or adoption.

“This can be because of neglect or abuse or because their parents have drink or drug problems which mean they no longer put their children’s needs first.

“Life has not been easy for these children and they need love and stability to grow into happy, confident people. While we have been very successful in recruiting foster carers and adoptive parents, we still need a lot more.”

Renfrewshire Council provides its foster carers and adoptive parents with ongoing training and full support.

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.

Councillor McMillan said: “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 offer a child a stable, loving home when they need it most.”

People who are interested in fostering or adopting should call 0300 300 1199 or email [email protected].