Call for fostercarers in Cumbernauld and Kilsyth

Foster Care Fortnight, which runs from May 16 to 29, is the annual campaign co-ordinated by the Fostering Network, the leading charity for everyone involved in fostering.

The aim is to highlight the urgent need for more foster carers.

There is a shortage of at least 10,000 foster carers across the UK, at a time when more and more children are entering the care system. An extra 3,700 children needed a foster family in 2010 compared with 2009.

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This means that more foster carers are urgently needed to provide children with safe and caring homes while they are unable to live with their own families. A diverse range of people with the right skills and qualities is required to meet the needs of children in care.

During the campaign, the Fostering Network will encourage people to get behind fostering and support children in care, and will reach out to those who have the right skills and qualities to foster.

Helen Clarke, campaign co-ordinator at the Fostering Network, said: “Foster care makes a positive difference to the lives of tens of thousands of children every year. However, the shortage of foster carers and rise in children coming into care means it is harder to find the right homes for children.

“As a result, some children have to move a long way from home, often separated from brothers and sisters, and may lose touch with family and friends. We urgently need more people to come forward to offer local homes to local children.”

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People come into fostering from lots of different backgrounds and with a huge range of experiences. Many come from previous careers in law, teaching and health care, for example, and others have child care experience with children in their own families and communities.

Stewart Duncan has fostered with his wife Sharon in Edinburgh for the past 15 years. Along with their 16-year-old son Nathan, the Duncans are experienced in a range of different forms of care, including short break, long-term and specialist.

Stewart said: “It’s really rewarding when you see a day-by-day improvement in a child. You see them build up self-esteem and come out of their shell. Then you know you are making a difference. Fostering is one of the most important things we’ve done as a family.”

Celebrities who have experienced foster care include Neil Morrissey, Kerry Katona and Goldie, while the families of Coleen Rooney and Gareth Gates are involved in offering foster care.

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For more on becoming a foster carer get in touch with your local fostering service, contact Fosterline on 0800 040 7675 or [email protected], or visit www.couldyoufoster.org.uk

Fostering: factfile

In the UK, 57,000 children and young people live with 45,000 foster families on any one day.

Foster carers look after children so families have a chance to work out their problems.

There are three types of fostering: emergency, short break/respite, and long-term.

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Almost anyone can apply to be a foster carer, but as with any career, some people will be more suited to it than others. There are no age limits and single people can foster as well as married couples.

Foster carers receive training, as well as an allowance to cover the cost of caring for a fostered child.